Filtration recommendation

[LuluB916]

Hello MFKers,

I'm looking at upgrading to a 325 gallons tank and need some recommendation on what would be the filtration system under a moderate budget. Tank will be moderately stock, no plan on getting anything over 18" at this moment. The tank comes drilled with a corner overflow, and I don't plan on doing any other drilling. A 50 gallons sump came with it with two RIO 2500 pumps that still works. Plumbing is missing, and will need to be purchased. Questions I have:
- Should I keep that sump or make/build a new one? I read something bigger would be better.
- Should I keep these pumps or get new one(s)? Would it be best to have two pumps or just one? The two RIO pumps project at ~1500GPH together.
- Should I get a canister in addition to a sump? What are the real benefit of adding a canister, beside adding an extra filtration system? Does it help in case the pump in the sump fails? I was looking at the Eheim 2262, but couldn't find one at a good price (~$450).
- Any advice on a fail safe system/plan for the sump?

Thanks!

 

[duanes]

I've used 50 gallon sumps on 300+ gallon systems many times, and they work fine.
Its all about the amount of bio-media, and the maintenance on mechanical media, not the size of the box (sump).
And if the pumps work why buy new ones?
I usually use one strong pump, and keep a few extra impellers and volutes, and another pump around (dry) ready to use in case the main one fails.
As far as buying a canister, I don't really see the point, it'd be no different than adding a little extra media to the sump, if using them both.
I find canisters to be actually detrimental, unless cleaned regularly, they tend to produce excess nitrate, the longer they are left uncleaned, the more they degrade water quality with high nitrate production.

 

[JK47]

Your budget would stretch much more if you were to spend the canister money on a quality submersible pump with a higher flow rate. The sump can run the tank on its own of setup correctly.

What size holes are setup? If you don’t intend to add more, that will be the limiting factor in the design. Once we know the possible flow rate we can recommend the best pump for the application

 

[ragin_cajun]

I run a sump alone. I can see some benefits, not many, of running canisters instead. But, what I really have never understood is running a sump AND a canister. Canisters cost much more than a sump for the same filtration capacity.

 

[esoxlucius]

I think you're over thinking things a bit, and potentially emptying your pockets at the same time. If you have a sump you don't need other filtration. Even a modest sump very simply laid out will do a great job on a large tank. Don't forget, and i think many of us do, that your whole tank is a giant biological filter, BB are everywhere. I do think it's important to have a good flow of water throughout your display tank (aided by powerheads) so all surfaces where BB are get fed with well oxygenated water full of their food. For me, my sump is more important to me for mechanical filtration. If you're worried about a pump letting you down, easy, get a spare one.

Keeps things simple, it's very easy in this hobby to put your scientists hat on and vastly over complicate things for yourself.

 

[smitty03281964]

Get yourself a Eheim 2265 canister. Trust me you will love it.