Sump or canister?

[duanes]

Depends on what you mean by adequate filtration.
To me, its the invisible stuff that is the most worrisome, and that stuff (dissolved organic carbon, proteins, acids, etc) tend to collect, and build up on the surface, so in that way, to me surface skimming is preferred.
Some people think aesthetics are most important, and the removal of particulate, mulm, and fish feces are the most important things for filters to remove.
To me, substrate vacuuming is is best for removal of these things, not filters.

Ran the 5 gal sock filter last night to test flow...my 250 gph pump doesn't faze the huge sock filter one bit.

Another question, can you get adiquate filtering from surface skimmers?

 

[cdrake261]

Depends on what you mean by adequate filtration.
To me, its the invisible stuff that is the most worrisome, and that stuff (dissolved organic carbon, proteins, acids, etc) tend to collect, and build up on the surface, so in that way, to me surface skimming is preferred.
Some people think aesthetics are most important, and the removal of particulate, mulm, and fish feces are the most important things for filters to remove.
To me, substrate vacuuming is is best for removal of these things, not filters.

I want to keep the surface of the water clean, that much is a must...however, I want my water to be clear.

 

[HarleyK]

Let me be the first one to say: Eheim 2262.

It can handle just about anything you put into your tank, and I clean mine once a year. I run two on my 220.

I cannot speak about sump. Never had one. Couldn't be happier with my canisters, no reason for me to experiment. 30+ years of Eheim. Call me boring.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[piscavore pisces]

the filter socks catch fine particles like a polishing pad would? where do you get your socks?

They do if you get the 100 micron ones. Careful as they need to be changed quite often. I'd have to change mine every few days depending on if I was power feeding or not.

 

[cdrake261]

They do if you get the 100 micron ones. Careful as they need to be changed quite often. I'd have to change mine every few days depending on if I was power feeding or not.

My 100 micron mesh sock filter doesn't filter that well...

 

[ctenosaura]

I have an FX5 that I might be retiring if this sump works good.

The sump:
I bought a used 40 gallon acrylic Tru View aquarium for $30. I needed it to only be 13" tall to fit under tank so I ran the top through a table saw and cut off about 3 inches. I then carefully cut the lid off the remaining 3 inches and used acrylic cement to reattach the the lid. As strong as new. Then I figured my interior configuration and siliconed baffles in the arrangement I configured.

The tank:
I moved my FRT out of a 180 gallon galvanized tub that lost heat quicker than a screen door in the winter and into a 180 acrylic tank. The galvanized tub had two 300 watt eheim heaters that seem to be on 24/7. On the new acrylic tank I put 3/4 styrofoam on the bottom, top, back, and both sides of tank. I also insulated the sump on 5 sides. It now holds heat like an ice chest in reverse. I now have one 150 watt heater that seems to never turn on (it has a light that comes on when it turns on) and it seems that the heat from the 65 watt Sicce pump keeps the water at 82 degrees.

http://s44.photobucket.com/user/ctenosaura/media/flyriverturtletank_zpssopqdutt.mp4.html

 

[Raul-7]

A sump is superior to any canister filter because of the customization it offers.

Need better mechanical filtration: filter socks are available all the way down to 1 micron.
Need more flow: get a larger return pump
Need to lower ammonia/nitrites: add more biomedia to your sump