Newbie Canister Filter Questions

[scottyburg]

Hello All -
I am considering purchasing a canister filter to help get rid of all the tiny particles floating in my tank. Here are some general questions if anyone could help I would appreciate it much!
1. Would a canister filter help remove these particales? They are tiny particles of various sizes from as large as sand particles down to dust sizes.
2. Where does everyone place the input tube and output tubes? I have a built in sump on the back of my tank, and I was thinking of placing the input tube in the overflow box and the outut tube further down somewhere in the sump ... or should the input/output tubes go in/out directly in the tank?
3. How well do input/output tubes attach to the filter. I had purchased a hang-on-bank magnum canister filter, but the output flow tube accidentally came of and sprayed water all over my living room.
Thanks!

 

[stdreb27]

I does keep down the particles in your tank. Some would say that a skimmer would do the trick. I put the input and output of the canister in the same spot in the sump.

 

[sankysyuck]

What are the particles from???? If you already have a sump system an extra filter would work but it’s probably unnecessary... I'm not exactly sure what you have for a filtration system, but you could always put a micron bag over your intake in the sump, this will remove tiny particles and only costs about $10.
However, if you do decide to purchase a canister filter, you really could put the intake/outtake tubes any where you want, as long as there not close together as this would defeat the purpose of the canister filter. I.e. if you put them right next to each other the intake would be taking all the return water in. In your case I'd probably recommend the intake going from your main tank and your outtake to your sump or the opposite side of you main tank.
Remember if you do buy a canister filter, don't skimp, spend the extra money to get the good one because remember: you get what you pay for. Most experts will tell you that the Eheim canister filters are the best out there, which I strongly agree, the one I have even includes a built in heater. Thr MarineLand canister filters also work very well.
I still would go with the micron bag tho, you could also use some mechanical filtration as well such as a foam pad.

 

[scottyburg]

Thanks for all the info ... I was considering one of the Ehiem canisters. Not sure where all these particles are coming from, maybe from return pump blowing the sand around. I have a tank given to me which has a sump-ish area in the back where you can place bio-balls and filter pads and includes an area for a powerhead to pump the water back into the tank. I've never seen any vendors sell this sort of tank so I am not sure how to describe it. But it looks like it is not doing its job, hence the need for a filter. Thanks for the great info!