Sump vs Canisters, really?

[Chance93]

@saltyfilmfolks thank you for taking the time to explain your views. I'm certainly going to take your advice and see what I can come up with
As for livestock, I plan on two snowflake clowns, three cleaner shrimp, a yellow tang (maybe two, I've heard conflicting information), yellow watchman goby, sand sifting star and that's it. So, a total of 5 fish and 3 shrimp pretty much.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks thank you for taking the time to explain your views. I'm certainly going to take your advice and see what I can come up with
As for livestock, I plan on two snowflake clowns, three cleaner shrimp, a yellow tang (maybe two, I've heard conflicting information), yellow watchman goby, sand sifting star and that's it. So, a total of 5 fish and 3 shrimp pretty much.

dont do the starfish please. they starve in a young tank. Post up on the tang choice, there's some REALLY good fish people here. that's not me. keep up on this thread too. Im sure you'll get some more feed back.
Happy reefing!

 

[Chance93]

@saltyfilmfolks Absolutely, I'll take your advice on the star.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I actually only run a canister on my systems for a polishing or deep cleaning. Not constantly. I have found they get clogged really fast with detritus, but again, I use it for catching all the crud I stir up.

I would think that if you can find room for a canister, you could find room for a sump. As stated above, a sump is a place to put equipment to keep out of the main system and a place to collect detritus and easily remove. However, if your partner does not want it, a canister filled with live rock and one filled with poly filters and maybe carbon would be beneficial if kept up.

Maintenance will be the biggest issue. Keep your system lean (less major livestock) and it should be fine. I would only do one yellow tang in that size tank. My yellow in my 210g is not welcoming to any others even remotely like her in color or shape. Tangs are big contributors to poop. FYI.

 

[skim]

I hope I am posting this in the right place.

So, I'm a noob to saltwater aquariums and I'm trying to figure out the mass amount of hatred towards canister filters, and the complete difference that they hold.
For what I understand, sumps give you a bit more water volume, place to hide unsightly equipment, and (if you choose) a place to put a fuge.
I get that those three pluses are pretty big. However, if someone were to routinely clean/maintain a canister filter (which shouldn't be a problem considering it takes 30 minutes max) wouldn't the sump and canister give the same results so to speak?

Heres my dilemma, I'm in the early stages of planning out my 125gal. My stand has zero room for a sump, my partner likes the stand because it has "shelves" which allows for the aquarium to feel like another piece of furniture in the living room. So if I were to have a reef octopus 2000 HOB skimmer, Fx6 canister filter (maybe fill 2 chambers full of live rock ruble and the third packed full of filter floss) would this be sufficient?

If it was me and wanted no sump, I would get 2 Aquaclear 110 hang them on either side and get a Reef Octopus HB-90 as it has a Cylindrical body not square, looks like a 110 INT made into a HOB model and if needed you can always get another HB-90 down the road. The Aquaclear 110 are great filters and easy to clean. You can add Carbon to them or GFO and access to them are very easily. They are probably the best and easiest filter made and also known as work horses. They will give you surface movement and a flow rate of 500 gal/hr each. You could most likely get the 2 Aquaclears and the Skimmer for what 1 FX6 would cost you. This would get you going and in the future you may change your mind on a Sump but have not invested a lot of money. I think your biggest problem may be Top Up water to keep Salinity as steady as possible. The one thing I have noticed over the years is the bigger the Canister the less you will clean it. A great Canister for what you want to do would be the Marine Land Magnum 350 but they do not make them anymore. Good luck on your Build.

 

[Chance93]

@DeniseAndy thank you for your advice on the tang I will definitely take note of that, as your not the first to mention it . As for room for the sump, I do have a small cabinet area that would fit a canister but definitely not a sump. lol

@skim I actually have several aquaclear 110 packed away in the garage. I have to admit for being cheap last minute filters they do stand the test of time! I've actually thought about using one for mechanical filtration, and using another as a DIY fuge (I think I recall seeing a post about that), on top of a reef octopus 2000 (I'll certainly look up your suggestion of the HB-90 as well, thank you!). Thoughts?