Im currently in the process of planning to build an acrylic tank around 300 gallons. My question is should I go for two Fx4 or just one big sump? I'm pretty sure the sump would be much cheaper, but what about the difficulty of setting it up and cleaning compared to the canisters? How would each affect the flow of the tank (It's going to be around 6'Lx21"Hx3'W)? I love my Marineland 360 on my 75gal and haven't delved into the world of sumps yet. What do you pros have to say?
Two Canisters or Sump?
- Thread starter FreshyNut
- Start date
I don’t run canisters as sole filtration on anything over 180 gallons. There is a point of diminishing returns for my preferences and maintenance I’m willing to invest.
I vote big sump all day. Cheaper in most cases and more flexible options. Consider being able to swap out mechanical without shutting down the system. Huge win right? With a canister you are breaking your back hauling them around and after cleaning, all take some degree of biological hit for a short time. Sumps have biological in a separate area and the bacterial colony doesn’t take a hit with cleaning. One additional win with a sump IMO is you can immediately see when to service (dirty appearing socks or overflowing socks) where as with a canister you may be well beyond the service window and it will remain hidden until addressed or clogged.
I have gotten away from sumps simply due to my location, but SUMP if you can. Nothing beats being able to use flow to get the crud into the sump for easy removal from the system. Where as with a canister, you are just sucking the crud into a different place that is hard to clean.
Sump all day every day!
Maintenance is MUCH easier
You can hide heaters and other equipment in the sump
Usually, you can achieve more water flow
Increase your overall water volume
Capable of holding a lot more media
If done diy, sumps can be much cheaper
Can have a refugium for grow out or injured fish
Many more advantages to a sump, but this covers quite a few.
Maintenance is MUCH easier
You can hide heaters and other equipment in the sump
Usually, you can achieve more water flow
Increase your overall water volume
Capable of holding a lot more media
If done diy, sumps can be much cheaper
Can have a refugium for grow out or injured fish
Many more advantages to a sump, but this covers quite a few.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/sump-help.675946/#post-7594900
posts 4 -10 are a multi-part explanation of sump planning. It will help you think through all the questions to consider.
posts 4 -10 are a multi-part explanation of sump planning. It will help you think through all the questions to consider.