Wet/Dry vs. Canisters

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The facts are that sumps commonly require more frequent maintenance cuz they are more assessable and visible. In contrast, canisters aren't easily assessable and the collection of crap is not visible.

"Out of sight, out of mind."

I would rather have great water quality with 5min of routine
maintenance every 2 days than have poorer water quality and performing a thorough cleaning of a canister every 3-6 months. Also, fine filtering pads clog canisters, and it's easier replacing chemical filtration like purigen or crushed coral from a sump than a canister. Finally, an extended period of a power outage with canisters introduces toxins into the tank when the power comes back on, and the nitrifying bacteria suffer from lack of oxygen and agitation during the outage.


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888fish said:
The facts are that sumps commonly require more frequent maintenance cuz they are more assessable and visible. In contrast, canisters aren't easily assessable and the collection of crap is not visible.

"Out of sight, out of mind."

I would rather have great water quality with 5min of routine
maintenance every 2 days than have poorer water quality and performing a thorough cleaning of a canister every 3-6 months. Also, fine filtering pads clog canisters, and it's easier replacing chemical filtration like purigen or crushed coral from a sump than a canister. Finally, an extended period of a power outage with canisters introduces toxins into the tank when the power comes back on, and the nitrifying bacteria suffer from lack of oxygen and agitation during the outage.


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A properly set up canister filter and a sump has NO difference in water quality. Saying that is just completely ignorant.

For a canister to get gunked up every 3 months to a point of making water quality suffer means your doing something wrong as in overfeeding, overstocked, not enough water changes. If water quality sufferers with a canister it will also suffer with a appropriate sized sump to canister in the same tank.

I can clean any one of my 5 canisters in ten mins tops. Its not heart surgery as your post makes it seem.

Move two levers and disattach from the hoses and open the top and rinse sponges and 4 trays and reassemble. Ten mins top once a month rather than 5 min twice a day which leads to 75 mins of maintenance a month rather than ten with the same exact water quality.
 
First, I did not direct any of my comments directly at you, and these are merely my opinions. I won't engage in any conflict with you, be disrespectful as you have, as I these messages are for the OP. The OP will decide what he wants. Say whatever you like, it's just a fish forum at the end of the day. I try to exercise some perspective with my dealings with all people and I will be respectful of the OP's discussion page. Thanks.


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888fish said:
First, I did not direct any of my comments directly at you, and these are merely my opinions. I won't engage in any conflict with you, be disrespectful as you have, as I these messages are for the OP. The OP will decide what he wants. Say whatever you like, it's just a fish forum at the end of the day. I try to exercise some perspective with my dealings with all people and I will be respectful of the OP's discussion page. Thanks.


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I dont believe I was rude or disrespectful but if I did come off that way I apologize. Those are just my opinions as well.
 
Cool. Thx and much appreciated! I am interested in your opinions, your expertise and the opinions of others.

My argument is this:
Let's set up a basic aquarium.
-2 Large aquariums, identical stock, fed exactly the same food, same parameters. Produce same amount of waste in crap or uneaten food.

- only variable is the filtration.
A. Proper sized sump with 50 micron sock.
B. Properly sized canister

- my argument for maintenance.
A. Filter sock replaced every 2 days before overflowed. Limiting filtration bypass.
B. Sump cleaned say every 2 months.

Conclusion (IMO)

Since the same amount of waste produced is a constant in this argument, the sock in the sump frequently replaced before overflow in 2-3 days, say in 2 months time, removes waste products in sump filter and system. However, the canister has collected 2 months worth of waste, sitting in the base, which remains cycling water through the to the display tank.

Which filtration produces the better water quality?

All respectful, constructive comments are welcome. Thx!






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A sump (or "dump": a sump on top of the tank with a gravity return to the tank) takes a moment to "clean" (i.e. rinse out the sock or replace mechanical filtration media).... so it gets done much more often.

Canisters have less capacity than sumps and are a PITA to clean...so they get cleaned less often.

Some people will argue to their dying breath that the shtuff inside of a canister that's been running for several months is inert and doesn't contribute to poor water quality. I beg to differ.

I clean mechanical filtration weekly or more often, depending on the fish load...

Matt
 
Its all really personal preference, I personally love both sumps and canisters but canisters to me are more efficient in means of maintenance. I constantly have to refill the sump every week or the pump runs dry. I personally fill the sump which is a 55 gallon more than I should and with a solo jardini its a bit of a pain to maintain when it only needs a 50% water change every other week.

As for the size or how much it can handle, my ehiem 2217 has about the same capacity of media in my 55gallon sump. But I personally think if you have a system to clean a canister its very simple and takes bare minutes. I find myself tending to my sump way more than I should.

Sumps are great if you have a drip and it does have its pros but I personally dislike the high noise level, constant need of maintenance, costing more in most cases, and also higher nitrates in tanks (if you use bio balls). I personally like a lower oxygen level in my tanks to help keep nitrates lower. My 220 would have nitrates up to 80ppm with biweekly water changes. I have to weekly dose with rid-x and also have purigen to keep nitrates around 20ppm before my needed water change.
 
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