Canister to Sump

[benny blanco]

I've been running a 135 tank on 1 Eheim cannister. Everything has been running stable, but I bought a very nice sump and want to change it out. Of course, a smarter more patient person would have waited, but you know how that goes when you have a empty 135 starring at you...
Anyway, is there any issues i should be concerned with when making the change? I am new to the trade only about 8 months, but I knew I wanted to run a sump on this size tank. I finally got one but I have a Fish-only tank with about 150lbs of LR and about 16 fish. Any advice for a safe, semi-quick change out?

 

[pbnj]

Why not use both?
I added a sump after initial set-up to add a skimmer and kept my canister filter to run carbon and house phosphate pads.
But there are no real "timing" issues with switching them.

 

[benny blanco]

Yeah, thanks pbnj. I thought about running both...might just do it.
Here's the catch, my sump will not fit through the front of my stand.
I knew that when I bought it, but I planned on getting it in through the back, but my tank backs up to a wall. My plan is too lower the water level and see if I can move the tank just enough to get my sump in...I know I am in for some work. Here is my next question regarding time...how long should I give myself once I shut-off the canister to work on the sump and other realted plumbing?

 

[pbnj]

Once the sump is functional, you can turn off the canister filter immediately.
Will the sump have a protein skimmer?

 

[pbnj]

Originally Posted by Benny Blanco
http:///forum/post/2991433
Here is my next question regarding time...how long should I give myself once I shut-off the canister to work on the sump and other realted plumbing?
Are you asking how long can you go without a canister filter while you work on the sump?
If so, as long as you have live rock in the tank, you can go 2-3 days without any impact. If you do take that long, I'd do a water change too.

 

[benny blanco]

Yes, I was wondering how long the canister should be "offline." I want to change it out as quick as I can, don't plan on taking 2-3 days but I was told about 24 hrs is about all I have...I'm in the market for a protein skimmer. I do have a LFS that has a good selection but I don't have a particular model in mind (any affordable suggestions on skimmers?) It was my intention to have the skimmer ready to go when I made the switch. At the moment, I am not running a skimmer, but the sump and skimmer are my next two goals.