Sump vs Fluval FX5 or Rena XP4 for 210gal?

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attackfish21

attackfish21

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Nov 13, 2009
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Hello, as some of you have read, I am buying a 210gal tank in the next few weeks.

I have asked a few people at a couple of my LFS about filtration, and I keep getting different answers depending on personal experience. I have read the stickies, but still don't know which is better for filtration for my situation.

I am leaning towards the Fluval fx5 because I have been told a couple times that it can easily be switched to salt water if I desire to do so in the future, AND although it is just about double the power I need, I might get a bigger tank that it would be suited for when I move to a new place.

There is also a Rena XP4 that is up to 265gal, but I kinda feel it would be worth it to just go for the gold in Fluval.

But I have also heard great things about sumps... SOOO... I am just curious which direction would be the best for the health of my fish.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
 
i would do sump and FX5 =)..u but then the sump would give you more volume of water.. the more volume of water the better.. FX 5 would be ur chemical, bio.. i would do FX5 over the XP4 because the FX5 goes up to 400 gallon. But if u want i would run a sump if u dont want to spend money..

throw in carbon in those AC bag and get some ceramic ring and get bio ball and i dink you should be good..i dink you should use around a 55-60 gallon for a sump =)
 
So FX5 and Sump?

Ok, Will the tank be ok on just the Fx5 until i get the extra cash to set up the sump?

I can easily get ahold of a 55 gal tank to make my own sump... Or should I just buy a configured sump to avoid the headache?

And, Does the tank have to be drilled for a sump? or can I use tubing that just goes over the top? (I will have to go read the stickies to learn more about the sump systems!)

Thanks... I always appreciate the input! :D
 
2 fx5s and ur set
why go for a sump?
you could add an overflow box but IMO 2 fx5s better
 
Sump by far lol. If people are saying otherwise they have never used a sump before.

It has more water volume, more media volume, no heater in your tank and no ugly tubes in your tank. Also you can add whatever media to it you like. I have gallons of mechanical filtration in my tank, and you couldnt stuff nearly all of it in any of the filters mentioned above. Also, with a sump, the pump you choose will likely be quiter and will push much more flow through your tank.

AND if you're planning on going to salt one day, just do the sump. You'll thank yourself.
 
I am a sump fanatic. I absolutely hate seeing the tank water level drop due to evaporation. I say if you have the space a sump is all win, you can hid your equipment, and you have more flexibility in your filtration. Also you know what you have to do to switch a sump from fresh water to salt? drain it and fill it with salt water and your done.

I can clean my sump with out turning it off, Never need to scare my fish or risk forgetting to turn it back on to clean. I can add a drip system very easy to a sump just toss in a pvc overflow, or overflow box and call it a day. The only part to replace in a sump is the pump, you will never have to order parts and can instantly go buy a replacement. Also as mentioned it gives you more water volume.

Now for the bad parts of sumps.

They CAN BE noisy, they CAN add to the humidity, they CAN be very costly in terms of space; and they CAN be less energy efficient.

The noise can be all but eliminated by making a wet sump, verses a wet dry. I have a wet sump with every thing submerged, the only sound is from the air bubbles caused by the intake inside the tank sucking air down into the sump. I have yet to figure out how to run at full siphon without having very low water level with my setup; however with more planning in the beginning this could be accomplished.

The humidity is easy, put a top on it.

The space is a double edged sword, you can make them smaller and ultra efficient, in means of pure filtration; but then lose the added value of the extra water volume.

The energy efficiency is some what more difficult to to over come. You can spend money on high efficiency pumps but you will still not get the efficiency of a canister. I have gotten as close as possible only 27 more watts compared to an fx5, I did this by buying a high efficiency pump, and rasing my sump off the ground and placing it directly behind the tank. This gives me a head of less then 2'

edit, also if you want to do anything other then FOWLR or FO salt in the future you will almost have to have a sump, or you will regret it, as your tank will have more hardware then fish.
 
nfored;3798712; said:
I am a sump fanatic. I absolutely hate seeing the tank water level drop due to evaporation. I say if you have the space a sump is all win, you can hid your equipment, and you have more flexibility in your filtration. Also you know what you have to do to switch a sump from fresh water to salt? drain it and fill it with salt water and your done.

I can clean my sump with out turning it off, Never need to scare my fish or risk forgetting to turn it back on to clean. I can add a drip system very easy to a sump just toss in a pvc overflow, or overflow box and call it a day. The only part to replace in a sump is the pump, you will never have to order parts and can instantly go buy a replacement. Also as mentioned it gives you more water volume.

Now for the bad parts of sumps.

They CAN BE noisy, they CAN add to the humidity, they CAN be very costly in terms of space; and they CAN be less energy efficient.

The noise can be all but eliminated by making a wet sump, verses a wet dry. I have a wet sump with every thing submerged, the only sound is from the air bubbles caused by the intake inside the tank sucking air down into the sump. I have yet to figure out how to run at full siphon without having very low water level with my setup; however with more planning in the beginning this could be accomplished.

The humidity is easy, put a top on it.

The space is a double edged sword, you can make them smaller and ultra efficient, in means of pure filtration; but then lose the added value of the extra water volume.

The energy efficiency is some what more difficult to to over come. You can spend money on high efficiency pumps but you will still not get the efficiency of a canister. I have gotten as close as possible only 27 more watts compared to an fx5, I did this by buying a high efficiency pump, and rasing my sump off the ground and placing it directly behind the tank. This gives me a head of less then 2'

edit, also if you want to do anything other then FOWLR or FO salt in the future you will almost have to have a sump, or you will regret it, as your tank will have more hardware then fish.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the helpful info on sumps nfored. Alot of ppl asked me why I didn't choose a sump for my 450g and the bads about sumps u posted are most of the reasons why I didn't go for one. If I had the space and my tanks were in a basement then I'd go for a sump no problem but they're not. My tanks are all cramped in my 1000ft condo suite and I don't want the noise + the humidity...

Anyhow to the OP I'd say if you do have the space then go for the sump, if you don't then choose the cannisters.
 
WOW.. that is a lot of great info!!!! Thank you... It sounds like the sump is the way to go... however I am in a small apt that the 210 barely fits in as it is. I am scared of the electricity bill going too high as well... I might just start off with the fx5 for this tank...

Someone above said to use two Fx5's for my 210gal. fx5 says it filters for tanks up to 400usGal, and my tank is a 210... so is two fx5 excessive? or is it really a better idea if I cannot go for a sump at this moment...

So, my last question then is can a glass tank be drilled for a sump? If so, Does anyone know how to go about getting glass safely drilled? Or is that something I am going to have to research on my own in my local area? lol.

Thanks again for all the info!
 
attackfish21;3798767; said:
WOW.. that is a lot of great info!!!! Thank you... It sounds like the sump is the way to go... however I am in a small apt that the 210 barely fits in as it is. I am scared of the electricity bill going too high as well... I might just start off with the fx5 for this tank...

Someone above said to use two Fx5's for my 210gal. fx5 says it filters for tanks up to 400usGal, and my tank is a 210... so is two fx5 excessive? or is it really a better idea if I cannot go for a sump at this moment...

So, my last question then is can a glass tank be drilled for a sump? If so, Does anyone know how to go about getting glass safely drilled? Or is that something I am going to have to research on my own in my local area? lol.

Thanks again for all the info!
Click to expand...


For the 2 FX5 question it really depends on your stock and bio load. If your fish produces massive wastes then the more filtration the better. On my 225g I'm running 1 FX5 and a Rena Xp4 and it's not enough because I'm overstocked. I'm thinking of adding another FX5 soon.

Answer for glass tanks being drilled yes they can but I don't know if you can drill it after once the tank has been made. Usually I've seen glass tanks drilled during the custom build. I'm not an expert at it so maybe someone else can help u on this one.
 
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