I am looking to add some filtration to my 240gal. I was dead set on getting a FX5 until I started looking at these DIY overflow and sump threads. I would appreciate it if someone who has had both would compare the two as far as performance goes. I'm not considering financial issues or convenience yet, just trying to figure out which is generally a better filter and by how much. I know you can have many gallons of media in a sump vs 1.5gal of media in a FX5, but is the FX5 usually more efficient? Is one vastly superior to the other? I have owned/operated neither so I'm looking for some sage advice. Thanks.
Efficiency of DIY sumps vs large cannister filters?
- Thread starter lujor
- Start date
No one can quantify the dif in these two? If the volumes of media are the same in a sump and a fx5 are they equally effective? How much more media volume does sump/cannister need to equal the other. Obviously, just want SWAG (ScientificWildAssGuess) opinions.
I run both and while they are both easy to maintain, the sump adds much more water volume to the setup. Also the sump hides heaters and I can raise my frontosa fry in it. +1 for sump systems.
I would say do both. But a sump is VERY customizable. It can be set for better biological filtration or better mechanical or both. You can't go wrong with both, a lot of people here do that but if it was a choice between the two i would get a sump. Why you ask?...well..you can choose any flow rate you want. You can make it as large as you want so you can add as much media as you want but, if you are using a overflow box you won't be able to pick up fish crap from the bottom as efficiently but that problem can be solved with directing water flow to move the debris upwards. Hope this helps!
A sump is alot more effective due to custom media
And as stated above can raise fry and hide heaters and
Plus Yu can see when Yu need to clean =]
And as stated above can raise fry and hide heaters and
Plus Yu can see when Yu need to clean =]
You can see a pic of my sump in my avatar. I have done both. This is my first sump. I will never go back. Though I do enjoy a bio-wheel also. Never leave a sump now that I am here. Fish also love spray-bar return.
Big canister will work right out of the box.
Minimal set up needed.
Even an "off the shelf" overflow/sump will need quite a bit of work. Not just set up, but all the tweaking to get it working right.
Minimal set up needed.
Even an "off the shelf" overflow/sump will need quite a bit of work. Not just set up, but all the tweaking to get it working right.
KaiserSousay;4465332; said:
Yep.
To go along with some of the other things mentioned. I like both canister and sumps, but I don't think canisters can compete in the water clarity section with a good filter sock setup. It's too customizable IMO.
sumps are really efficient. i believe that it is possible to make an over flow that suck water from the bottom of the tank. sumps are large, customizable, and can be made to do better mechanical filtration than a canister. plus, you can put as big of flow as you want. for a 240gallon, i wouldbuy a pump rated at 2400GPH.