Quote:
Originally Posted by
Atoms81 http:///t/390144/coralife-1740-p-external-pump#post_3453231
Hi just bought a brand new coralife 1740p external pump and wanted to know any ideas for a canister filter my lfs was going outta business and I bought it for $60 and bought a giant reef octopus Skimmer rated for 400 gallons. $200 I wana use both a canister and a protein Skimmer I am building a stand. for a 160 gallon. cube tank to set up as a reef tank currently have a 210 Fowler just want ideas for a return pump for the Skimmer and for a good canister for the external pump thanks for the info and advice
Hi,
You want a sump system....and use the canister for what, just extra filtration? I forget who told me this, but a skimmer should be purchased for the size needed, unlike filters that are better the bigger they are.. A skimmer too large won't skim a smaller tank very well, and too small and it can't skim enough....Unless the skimmer says it's good for 150g - 400g...sell it since it's new, and get one the right size.
I personally think the best canister filter on the market right now is the Fluval brand. I have used Marineland and Casscade, they all work great, but the Fluval was easiest to maintain.
The skimmer has it's own pump, it draws water in and after it goes through the skimmer it pushes the water back out in the same chamber it sits in..it is not a return pump. A return pump is attached to a hose or PVC pipe and feeds back into the main tank. An overflow box (if the tank isn't drilled) with a hose or PVC pipe, leads back down to the sump and drains the water out...the sump return pump has to match the overflow from the main tank so they equally drain and refill simultaneously.