Fluval or Eheim vs a sump??

[carlitosreef]

I'm sorry I have been out of the forum but I been doing my hw. I come in and read every once in a while. I'm almost done building my pc so il have a computer to get back on the forum. My first reef build has been put on hold, since I'm waiting for my new room to be build, because I want to do a wall in reef set up in my room.



Well I was talking to my cousin the other day who is also in the hobby. Looks like these companies fluval and Eheim provide equipment I mean great equipment to provide a better easier and safe maintenance.

So a sump wouldn't be needed, now I would like to see what you guys think.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[ripped tide]

It can be done, but a lot of people frown upon it. Eheims are good filters, but it makes it hard for add-ons (skimmer, reactors, sterilizer, refugium, etc.) If you do choose to go the canister filter route, you will have to use all hang on stuff, which would be more of a pain if the tank is built in to the wall.

 

[carlitosreef]

Ripped Tide;672302 wrote: It can be done, but a lot of people frown upon it. Eheims are good filters, but it makes it hard for add-ons (skimmer, reactors, sterilizer, refugium, etc.) If you do choose to go the canister filter route, you will have to use all hang on stuff, which would be more of a pain if the tank is built in to the wall.

That's what I'm trying to understand. People that chose this route basically said the whole sump idea is a waste of money. I have seen some videos on this set up. Have not seen none of this add on. So I'm trying to figure out what route is beat to take and why. Comparing money and quality.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[ripped tide]

A canister filter has poor gas exchange, meaning less oxygen for your aquarium inhabitants. Canisters are designed for low flow, so that they do not remove CO2 from a planted aquarium(which is what they were designed to be used on.) In a reef tank, the water chemistry is more dense, thus being said, you have to have higher flow and something that will ad oxygen back into the water. This re-oxygenation process takes place in protein skimmers and in the water agitation that is created from a gravity fed sump. If you use a canister, you will still need a protein skimmer to add the extra oxygen.

 

[sonofdagon]

You can still go sumpless.A Good HOB protein skimmer with space for media and live rock is all you need. But I like to keep it simple and cheap.

 

[carlitosreef]

Well Eheim provide this equipment that has rocks add on inside, and different types of filters. It has also a pump to keep the water flow moving. You can control the flow to really fast and really slow. It also has other functions can't remember them right now.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[carlitosreef]

sonofDagon;672306 wrote: You can still go sumpless.A Good HOB protein skimmer with space for media and live rock is all you need. But I like to keep it simple and cheap.

HOB?? Well my set up is a 55g, I am planning in adding a deep live sand, live rocks and corals etc.. As in how many fishes I would like to have that I dont know yet but I want to keep it where my fishes are comfortable and not crowded. I would like it to be a WOW reef set up but also not to expensive.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[ripped tide]

I'm not bashing eheims, i'm running one on my tank right now, but I also have a hang on protein skimmer, I carbon dose, and I do a 20% water change once a week. I have a very happy and successful tank, but I have experience in the hobby and put a lot time into it. If I hadn't been budgeted, i would have bought a larger tank that was pre drilled, built a sump/refugium, and have a nicer, larger skimmer down below.

 

[smallblock]

Having run both I would never go back to a filter. Sump all the way. 1 more water volume equals a more stable system. 2 you get to hide all your equipemt. 3 it makes maintanance easier IMO. 4 you get to have a refuge. I could go on and on. Do what you want but sumps for the win.

 

[carlitosreef]

I mean I do have a 30g tank that was for my sump. But since I just heard about this stuff it got me thinking should I continue building my sump or just buy one of those equipment.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[ripped tide]

I would continue the build. The only main advantage with a canister is that you get more efficient use of carbon than placing it in a bag in your sump.

 

[carlitosreef]

I guess I'm going to continue the sump. I still got a long way to go I'm hoping I have it done before my birthday which is Dec 31

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[smallblock]

you don't have to finsish the sump to get it online. My still doesnt have any baffles in it and it does fine. I have a few more pieces to work around before I decide what and where to place the baffles. Everything works fine without the baffles.

Another advantage to having a sump is an auto top off. you can put the float switches in the sump. The displays level won't drop, the level in the sump drops from evaporation. Then the float switches activate and it pumps fresh water into the sump. This is way more stable then pouring in a gallon at the end of the day or whatever. Just make sure you have the room to finish the sump if you go ahead and get it online.

 

[jennm]

Ripped hit the nail right on the head. So did Smallblock.

Canisters were designed for an entirely different purpose, and as such, are ill-suited for reef tanks, as a reef has higher oxygen need.

Canisters tend to lend themselves to higher nitrate. They don't manufacture it out of nowhere, but they aren't as efficient at helping create the environment for denitrification to occur.

Doable, yes. Preferred method? Absolutely not. If you have a canister, use it occasionally to polish the water for a few days, then take it off, clean it out and put it away.

IMO you'd be better off with some good powerheads and a HOB skimmer (a decent one) alone and skip the canister completely even if you don't do a sump.

JMHO - from years of testing peoples' nasty water with long-term canister-only use.

Jenn

 

[straydog]

If the in wall build gives you enough room an option could be to do an all in one setup, giving the clean look of a drilled tank without the worry of a power outage flood. Carbon can be ran in a reactor instead of a bag .

 

[carlitosreef]

Smallblock;672321 wrote: you don't have to finsish the sump to get it online. My still doesnt have any baffles in it and it does fine. I have a few more pieces to work around before I decide what and where to place the baffles. Everything works fine without the baffles.

Another advantage to having a sump is an auto top off. you can put the float switches in the sump. The displays level won't drop, the level in the sump drops from evaporation. Then the float switches activate and it pumps fresh water into the sump. This is way more stable then pouring in a gallon at the end of the day or whatever. Just make sure you have the room to finish the sump if you go ahead and get it online.

Interesting, I think I might be able to start with a simple sump. My sump tank which I bought.from a member here, came with 2 acrylic baffle. It needs to be cleaned up and re sealed. I might as well start with 2 fish, 2 coral, and plenty of rocks. A deep live sand bed, get me a good janitor staff for natural maintenance inside since they are cheap.


I'm going to try to post pictures later of the layout of my new room in the basement, and the in wall idea. The room should get started around beginning of September.


"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[carlitosreef]

I might buy a used skimmer later on if someone has one for sale here in a month. Right now I'm trying to heal my pockets from the spending of my pc and this month bills.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump