Sump or canister filter?

[Ben.Sheppard]

So, I am looking into upgrading one of my tanks to a 160 gallon tank, and want to assess the best choice of filters, I have to admit I am only used to canister filters but I will have a spare 60 gallon tank, I was contemplating modifying this 60 gallon to sit beneath the 160 gallon tank to act as a sump filter, I have read a few articles but none really seem to make me decide either way, sumps often seem complicated as no where really gives me a list of what I exactly need, or they don't seem to explain it enough, filters feel like so much work, and are a pain to clean at times, so...... this is where you guys come in, what would you recommend I do, which would be better for the tank, which would be easier to maintain?

Thanks.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Do both.

 

[keonetfish]

Do both.

2x

 

[NgaNasty]

yes do both if your able to. a sump for biological, and a canister as a water polisher

 

[HarleyK]

only used to canister filters but I will have a spare 60 gallon tank

Why move away from a set-up you know?!

Get an Eheim 2262 for the 160 gal and use the 60 gal as quarantine tank



HarleyK

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

If the tank is already pre-drilled, go sump. Else canister

 

[NgaNasty]

yes, but if you want a canister you can always get a bulkhead and hook the canister up to it

 

[KaiserSousay]

If the tank is already pre-drilled, go sump. Else canister

Pretty much agree.
With a sump the hard part is a reliable way to get the water to the sump.
Overflows are a nessacery evil when a tank can`t be drilled, or the owner dosen`t feel up to drilling.
If you are a "handy" person, maybe a sump is right for you.
If not, stick with canisters.
Less headaches, unless you enjoy working with pipes and pumps and such.

 

[Ben.Sheppard]

Thank you all, To answer a few things:

If you know the system, why change? Just because I know the system does not mean it is the best for the tank, I am always open to learning new methods!

Are you a handy person? I'm not really no! Thats what Dads are for, right?!

I like the idea of separating the bio and polishing, so a new question, I am looking at getting a tank, it is supplied with 2x Aquis advance 1050, I currently have 2x Fluval 305 filters, would it be over kill to have 2 working as bio on the tank and 2 on polishing? Maybe 3 bio and 1 polishing?

 

[KaiserSousay]

I like the idea of separating the bio and polishing

I must be missing something.
I`ve seen a bunch of postings where a can is full of bio only.
I can`t wrap my puny mind around how the gunk knows not to enter this filter and clog up the media.
Normal cans are set up as total filters.
Media to trap the gunk and keep it out of the bio, allowing nothing but nutrient and oxygen rich, clean water to flow across the bio media.
I can understand a can full of mech., going for that crystal clear water we all love.
But, just bio I don`t get it.