Help....sump vs. canister??
- Thread starter STONEDFISH
- Start date
That's true. How often do you clean your w/d? My cleaning intervals for canisters are 8-10 months. I've never had a w/d, so I guess we're in the same boat, just on different shores. And I, too, respect your opinionrallysman;595958; said:
and even value it 
HarleyK
Wet/Dry.
They are cheaper (if you DIY), the filtration is much better (if you do it properly), you can hide unsightly things (such as heaters), and it adds more volume.
I fail to see why people do not use wet/drys, unless they have tiny tanks (this is a monster fish keepr's forum), or an absolutely huge tank (in which case a large pond filter or sand filter may be needed).
They are cheaper (if you DIY), the filtration is much better (if you do it properly), you can hide unsightly things (such as heaters), and it adds more volume.
I fail to see why people do not use wet/drys, unless they have tiny tanks (this is a monster fish keepr's forum), or an absolutely huge tank (in which case a large pond filter or sand filter may be needed).
HarleyK;596057; said:That's true. How often do you clean your w/d? My cleaning intervals for canisters are 8-10 months. I've never had a w/d, so I guess we're in the same boat, just on different shores. And I, too, respect your opinion
HarleyK
I replace the prefilter every time I gravel vac (usually once a month)
It literally takes 2 minutes, and I'm being generous.
Wet/dry and two AC 110s to do pull the junk out of the water and hold the Purigen once the tank is cycled.
at the moment i have
3 hang on back filters
2 canister filters
and 1 sump
all currently running
another vote for a sump
enough said
3 hang on back filters
2 canister filters
and 1 sump
all currently running
another vote for a sump
enough said
Although this is two years old, this is an interesting conversation. I have experience with HOB, canister, and wet/dry . The HOB don't do a good job with collecting the debris, seeing as the intakes never reach the bottom(usually half way down). I'd assume they would be more efficient if the height of your tank was less than 18".On the other hand, canisters usually have longer intakes, which help collect the remaining debris that the HOB leaves behind.I use both(canister and wet/dry) in my display tank because they both serve different purposes. My sump is strictly used for beneficial bacteria and skimming the water. I also use its output to keep the flow direction towards the intake of the canister.
My canister takes in all the debris that sits on top of the sand. As far as maintenance and the sump,Rallyman nailed it. All that needs to be done is changing the prefilter or rinsing it off.Canisters require some time and needs to be turned off prior to cleaning it. How often a canister needs to be cleaned depends on the number/type of fish in the tank. I can't go 8-10 months without cleaning the canister because i have messy plecos that shred zucchini/cucumbers into pieces that get sucked up by the intake, which reduces the output of the canister.if i notice the output slower than usual, than i know the canister needs to be thoroughly rinsed, or possibly new media. Various factors determine how often a canister needs to be cleaned. Also, keep in mind a sump takes up lots of room whereas a canister may take a fourth of that. This is the problem i have with my stand. The sump takes the whole lower bottom, which forces me to have the canister sit on the outside of the stand.
My canister takes in all the debris that sits on top of the sand. As far as maintenance and the sump,Rallyman nailed it. All that needs to be done is changing the prefilter or rinsing it off.Canisters require some time and needs to be turned off prior to cleaning it. How often a canister needs to be cleaned depends on the number/type of fish in the tank. I can't go 8-10 months without cleaning the canister because i have messy plecos that shred zucchini/cucumbers into pieces that get sucked up by the intake, which reduces the output of the canister.if i notice the output slower than usual, than i know the canister needs to be thoroughly rinsed, or possibly new media. Various factors determine how often a canister needs to be cleaned. Also, keep in mind a sump takes up lots of room whereas a canister may take a fourth of that. This is the problem i have with my stand. The sump takes the whole lower bottom, which forces me to have the canister sit on the outside of the stand.
