Deciding on filtration. Imput needed

[rcboone72]

Since I recently had a tank failure and am restarting the tank, and while I am at it upgrading. I had a 20g fish only tank and now I am doing a 40breeder tank. I had it all planned out to use a sump, a 20l tank for that with refugium. Two things that I am concerned with, the tank is glass, $100+ tank, I want to drill the tank for the sump so I dont need a siphon overflow box, IMO from what I read bad things are more likely to happen plus it will look much cleaner if I do my DIY overflow. I know I can get around drilling if I go ahead and do a continuous siphon overflow setup, just hate the idea of it. Two, I have read several testomonials about how sumps get very dirty and become a pain to maintain and keep running right and the salt creep is disgusting. So instead I have recently looked into a large cannister filter, of approxamatly the same gph that my sump would run. I originally chose to use a sump because I wanted eventually a reef tank, and from what I understand about sump/refugium they help provide more natural filtration and better nutrient export. I am now thinking it will be even much more later for the reef. I have on my 20g been using a HOB filter and untill my tank got infested by ich all was well. A cannister filter as I see it is just a large version on this that I can hide under my cabinet and will be less noise as far as a filter dropping water into my tank, still great filtration and a easier install. I want to hear what fish and reef owners have to say about canister filters. good and bad. I also read/heard they can be "nitrate factories", I have never had a nitrate problem yet. Also my next concern, however of less concern is will this filter be acceptle to use when I decide to get soft corals, not a heavy load either. I say of less concern because when that time comes I will probly will upgrade yet again to a large acrylic tank before I do corals and I will do a large sump/refugium then possibly.
Side note, im almost liking the idea of trading HOB filters on my FW to cannister. Still need to hear what people say though. Thanks

 

[rcboone72]

I also want to add, I also in my "plan" had a protien skimmer. Something like a coralife 65 or similar. I would a appreciate a sump so can hide the skimmer down below, with a cannister it will be HOB. So im very undecided, a HOB skimmer will defeat the purpose of me wanting a cannister, the clean and organized looking display. It all comes down to peoples comments and experience I suppose. I still am undecided if I need a protein skimmer on my fish only tank. Or if there was a way I could still conceal my skimmer down below with a cannister filter, if you have any ideas reguarding that feel free to post them. Thanks

 

[rcboone72]

Well after more research I have determined that the canister filter is not the way to go, and infact I would be more dissatisfied with the maintaince required because as I read they require frequent cleanings when used on a Sw aquarium, one person mentioned every two weeks would be optimal where a sump is more natural filtration, and a better idea for me plus I neglected to think of where u would hide my heater and top off system if I was running a canister. I hear many people have a canister on hand to polish the water on tank cleaning days.

 

[saxman]

What kind of tank will this be? FOWLR, reef (SPS, LPS, softy)?
Sometimes this is a deciding factor, however, I can tell you that once you go with a sump, you'll always want to run sump-based systems (take it from a guy who has a dozen setups running). The DIY PVC O/F's are plain ol' UNSIGHTLY. If you don't drill the tank, go with a U-tube style HOB O/F. The CPR "continuous siphon" O/F's require a separate "aqualifter" pump to reliably maintain their siphon, esp. after power interruptions.
Your sump can be as simple or complex as you like. We're running a custom divided 40B with a simple one-baffle 10 gal sump with a filter sock on the input and a submersible return pump (QO 4000).
HTH