Sump vs Ultima 2 1000 filter. Which is better?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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Crazyfish88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 6, 2009
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BC, Canada
Hi I'm getting my 450g drilled and I have been looking for ideas on the new filtration setup. I'm getting 4 holes drilled on the tank's top backside(2 in 2 out) and doing boxless setup. I've been looking into sump ideas but I'm no expert at it. I'm pretty much a noob when it comes down to sump systems. What adequate size of a sump do i need for a 450? Also I've seen some use those Ultima 2 pond canister filters. Which is better? What are the pros and cons from both setups? Help much appreciated.



Thanks,



Andy
 
Sump,

I would not put the inlet holes on the back of the tank unless your going to use at least 1 1/4" bulkheads. For your tank size less than 1 1/4" will restrict the flow to your sump limiting the size of the return pump. If your going to use that size or bigger then you want to put them as high as you can so the top of water level is level or a fraction higher than top of the bulkhead fitting. Otherwise your going to need a very large sump to handle the backflow of water into the sump when the pump is off.
Outlet holes I would put in the same position but they only need to be a max of 1" on the return. They will also drain water back to the sump when pump is off. This position will also create current at surface and oxygenate the water. Doing it this way, a 80-100 gallon sump should be more than enough.
 
Thanks for the help bro. I talked to my LFS and they suggested using 2" drains and 1.5" returns. I forgot if he said this was with 2 holes drilled or 4 holes drilled. Is that too big?
 
For the return if your using one return pump, then 1 hole is enough. 2 returns, 2 holes. Return pump size up to approx 3000 gallons an hour will handle a 1 " return as long as the piping is 1" all the way through. A single 1.5" return is over kill let alone 2. 2 x 2" inlets is over kill for a 450 gallon. 2 x 1.5" for the inlets is plenty. Remember you have to find plumbing for these sizes as well and 1.5" is easier and less expesive to get hold of. Your probably want to have ball valves on all your lines to control flow for noise and maintentance.
 
Thanks for advice bro. I think I'll be pm'ng u once the sump is building in progress. Just gonna get the tank predrilled first and build sump slowly.
 
What happened to all your FX-5s? The people who run Ultimas all seem to love their Ultimas. Several members switched from a wet/dry filter to Ultimas. If you go with an Ultima, you should consider having a large drain close to it for when you purge the Ultima.

When you say "sump", are you talking about a wet/dry trickle filter? Or are you talking about a sump with submerged ceramic media?
 
I still have the FX5's. I'm keeping them for back up filters. Honestly I dunno yet as I'm only pre drilling the tank first prior to my move back home then slowly build a sump. I don't know which to go for as I'm very new with sumps and how they work. My cousin is into saltwater and has knowledge with sumps so I'm going to probabely ask him for help on building a good one. But I'm open to other ideas. Which ever is good I'll go for.
 
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