Wet/Dry vs. Canisters
- Thread starter KevinH
- Start date
I used three canisters (eheimx2, FX5) on a 170G for years. I always dreaded cleaning it out, worried about breaking the connectors, and pouring out 2" of nasty brown thick gunk from the bottom was gross. Cleaned every 4-6 months, one at a time. I really wanted a open filtration system and wanted to incorporate filter socks and plenty of assessable biomedia. Too much bypass and worried about clogging of biomedia with all the gunk in a canister.
So I put together a sump, and packed all the canisters away. My filter socks are replaced 2-3 days, my ugly heater is housed there, and sump is super clean. IMO, a Wet/Dry or any type of sump is preferable to canisters, if it is feasible within your system.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
So I put together a sump, and packed all the canisters away. My filter socks are replaced 2-3 days, my ugly heater is housed there, and sump is super clean. IMO, a Wet/Dry or any type of sump is preferable to canisters, if it is feasible within your system.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I have a fluidized bed sump that does both my 240 & 700. I use sumps with matrix on some others. I also use several canisters. There are no drawbacks to sumps that I can think of. Canisters have to be cleaned occasionally.
Canisters for my living room and office because they are so quiet.. My lanai tanks all sumps cause don't care about noise
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I agree, there are no drawbacks to using a sump if you like the sound of moving water and have the room for it. It eliminate the drastic environment changes to the tank when doing water changes or adding chemicals or meds through your sump. On occasion, I've been known to attach a canister to my sump for added clarifying or cleaning. Being professional drivers, wife and I both enjoy the sound of moving water while relaxing.
Great feedback, I myself always use canisters but want to try a sump for the versatility, I'm in the process of mapping out a 125 for my living room, my only concern is how loud the sump would be.
I have a glass tank in garage, did not want to drill, so I set up one of those diy pvc oveflows inside the display tank. The swishing of water being sucked from the surface by the intake is kinda loud. I did manage to reduce 95% of the vibration hum from the return pump by placing a vinyl tubing connecting the pump to the solid pvc piping, and having the pump sit on a silicone mat. Also, I added pieces of a silicone mat so all the return piping is not rubbing against the anything solid like to sides of the stand or sides of the tank.
Maybe someone with a drilled tank setup can give you some more advice. This is my 1st and only sump I put together. A sump is never an end all, I love making changes and looking for new filtration ideas.
Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Maybe someone with a drilled tank setup can give you some more advice. This is my 1st and only sump I put together. A sump is never an end all, I love making changes and looking for new filtration ideas.
Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Canisters if you hate noise, sump if you want ease of access. It all depends though, in most cases sumps are more expensive than used canisters. I find fx5's on craigs for 100-120 bucks so building a sump would cost me more actually. Buying a overflow and a return pump would normally put you over 100 bucks if you have the fixings, media, spare tank, glass/acrylic dividers, and also silicone. Dont get me wrong I do have sumps and love them but hate refilling them as the water level gets low enough to the pump so it draws in air. Its a reminder of weekly water changes but life does get hectic and skipping a week is sometimes necessary but a sump I personally find myself doing more maintenance as I have to refill it weekly.