Im building a 450Gallon tank. Are there any benifits to using a sump compared to a fx5. I was going to use 2 FX5's and the price would be about the same although it seems everyone uses sumps so i was wondering if theres any benifits to using a sump compared to a fx5 canister filter.
FX5 OR SUMP?
- Thread starter Spencergoddard
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I use both in my 450. The sump is nice for heater placment and adding volume like above. Also it was easy to set up a drip system in my sump to eliminate waterchanges. I also use canister filters to add circulation to the lower areas of the tank.
2fx5 is about a 2x turnover. a sump u can size a pump to run it proper. you can have a million times more options with a sump compared to a canister. pros n cons of both. over 100g id reccommend a sump
There would be many benefits, I'd sure you could build a sump that would offer far more filtration than two FX5s for the same cost...
Yes, the biggest advantage to a sump is the cost. You can use almost anything that holds water, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Kevin Fleming uses a large Tupperware container for his 300. I think he has $100 in the whole sump and $90 of it is the pump lol
For the cost of two Fx5's you can have a very very nice sump including the heaters and controler
I totally agree with Egon and everyone else with the sump being better and more cost efficient. You get: more water volume (even though its a 450, you can never have to much), adjustable media vol. and type, different stages to put various "toys" (phosphate reactor, heaters, stem plants for nutrient removal, etc.), and I feel like I'm forgetting something.
Hmm looks like ill be building a sump! I think ill end up having an FX5 to run along with it but thanks for the advice everyone.