hi, fairly new to fish keeping. I know water quality is crucial to a nice/healthy fish. So what does everyone use here? Reasons one over the other? I've read that sumps don't clean up debris on the bottom of tank which turns me off from it. Anyway to fix this problem? sorry if this question is very basic. Still trying to learn everything . thanks.
Canister Vs. Sump
- Thread starter cape
- Start date
It's true that sumps have a hard time picking up debris from the bottom but if you have powerheads positioned to stir it up, it will eventually find it's way to the sump. Another way would be a closed loop with outputs on the bottom of your tank that will contantly kick up the debris.
Canisters are great too if you don't mind an intake tube/strainer in your tank. Just be sure to have the appropriate size canister(s) to match your tank. Always over filter, never underfilter. That's when you run into problems.
It's all personal preference.
Canisters are great too if you don't mind an intake tube/strainer in your tank. Just be sure to have the appropriate size canister(s) to match your tank. Always over filter, never underfilter. That's when you run into problems.
It's all personal preference.
A canister doesn't clean debris off the bottom unless you have it hooked up to a UGF or hang the tube really low.
I put some direct some powerheads to blow the bottom of the tank in stagnant areas. This keeps detritus suspended and will eventually go into the overflow. Going bare bottom or tile bottom makes it easier.
Benefits of having a sump far outweigh the noise factor, but it can be designed to be near quiet. All depends on how you plumb the system and baffle design. It increases water capacity, increases air exchange, removes surface scum if you have an overflow, more room for filter media, and gives you a place to store equipment like heaters and such. Cleans up the display tremendously.
I put some direct some powerheads to blow the bottom of the tank in stagnant areas. This keeps detritus suspended and will eventually go into the overflow. Going bare bottom or tile bottom makes it easier.
Benefits of having a sump far outweigh the noise factor, but it can be designed to be near quiet. All depends on how you plumb the system and baffle design. It increases water capacity, increases air exchange, removes surface scum if you have an overflow, more room for filter media, and gives you a place to store equipment like heaters and such. Cleans up the display tremendously.
Marowana420
New Member
there are ways to make your sump more quiet, durso, flex pipe etc... but 1 problem i have with the sump is there is some kind of mosquitoes living and breeding in my sump. although it doesnt bite, its pretty nasty. i never had this problem with a sealed canister filter.
i guess i need a better lid. any suggestions on killing these bugs?
i guess i need a better lid. any suggestions on killing these bugs?
Marowana420
New Member
i already have bubbles in 2 sections of it. and there are ripples in the water all over. but i'll can add a few more and see what happens.
is it possiable that i introduce these bugs from feeding mysis shrimp or bloodworms? these bugs started apperaing in the middle of winter.
is it possiable that i introduce these bugs from feeding mysis shrimp or bloodworms? these bugs started apperaing in the middle of winter.
Joey
Moderator
A couple of air stones will get rid of your mosquitoes marowana... do you have a lid on the sump??
Back on topic...
I enjoy both methods of filtration...
A sump/trickle filter = superior Bio filtration.... A wet/dry, can hold far more media than any canister... which alows for a larger colony of bacteria. They also add more O2 to the tank thank any canister could... far easier to maintain... you can customize a sump to your tanks needs... all equipment is concelled in the sump.... very easy to clean...
Any negatives about the sump, like noise, poor mechanical filtration, heat loss, and humidity can be countered.... I dont have any of those issues with mine...
A canister = Great mechanical filtration...
They have a very limited amount of media capasity and all equipment is in the main tank... I like canisters for smaller tanks though... 90gals or less generally.. but i employ them on larger tanks as well, just for their mechanical cleaning abilitys...but they are troublesome to clean compared to a sump...
Back on topic...
I enjoy both methods of filtration...
A sump/trickle filter = superior Bio filtration.... A wet/dry, can hold far more media than any canister... which alows for a larger colony of bacteria. They also add more O2 to the tank thank any canister could... far easier to maintain... you can customize a sump to your tanks needs... all equipment is concelled in the sump.... very easy to clean...
Any negatives about the sump, like noise, poor mechanical filtration, heat loss, and humidity can be countered.... I dont have any of those issues with mine...
A canister = Great mechanical filtration...
They have a very limited amount of media capasity and all equipment is in the main tank... I like canisters for smaller tanks though... 90gals or less generally.. but i employ them on larger tanks as well, just for their mechanical cleaning abilitys...but they are troublesome to clean compared to a sump...
They can be but once you start to customizing a sump it can get quite costly with the addition of external pumps, probes, relays, valves, etc.
