Whats better in an Apt Sump or Canister filter

dmoore504

dmoore504

Member
I have a 75 gal tank and below it is a 30 gal sump. Sometimes the lights might go out or like today I blew a fuse which can break my siphon and over flow my tank when the power comes back on. I live on the second floor and I don't want to flood someones apt. Should i switch to a canister filter or is there a better way to handle this. Thanks for your advice in advance.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
You do need to stay on top of canister filters, maintenance wise.
I have never had the siphon break on my overflow to the sump. In fact I turn it off nearly every day when I feed. This has been for years. So I don't overall consider it a major issue, and I am not sure why it happened in your case. I am assuming it is not a reef ready tank, which would be another solution.
Do you have a skimmer or anything else in your sump that you would have to relocate?
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
I swore by my canister...
until I got a sump and now I will never go back.
NEVER
I don't understand why your tank would continue to drain from syphoning. If the tank is set up correctly, your tank should only dump a few gallons into the sump, and then stop. Every time, all the time. (as long as your sump isn't over full)
If I don't have one of my flexible flow nozzles close to the surface, my tank will keep draining to the highest located one, and syphon the way. So, I point it up. Find out what your tank continues to drain and fix it.
I think that would be your best bet.... because a good canister is expensive and they're a headache.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Get a picture. You have something set up too low or without a siphon break or something. We can help you prevent this.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I love my canister filter, cleaning takes 15 minutes max once a month, I clean it while I do water changes. No drilling, no overflows, and a spray bar really helps the flow of water ...however if you already have a sump why spend the money? Figure out what is wrong with the filter you are using. if you are totally unhappy with it...canisters are great... JMO..I use the space under my stand for a tank for my auto top off unit.
 
tank a holic

tank a holic

Active Member
I may have read it wrong but he's not saying the tank will keep siphoning and overflow the sump.....
he's saying the siphon will break, stop pulling water from the DT and the return pump will overflow the DT when the power comes back on
my question is....
is this a hang on the back overflow or is the tank drilled?
 
dmoore504

dmoore504

Member
Originally Posted by tank a holic
http:///forum/post/3148529
I may have read it wrong but he's not saying the tank will keep siphoning and overflow the sump.....
he's saying the siphon will break, stop pulling water from the DT and the return pump will overflow the DT when the power comes back on
my question is....
is this a hang on the back overflow or is the tank drilled?
You read it right, and its a hang over the back over flow.
 
carlos413

carlos413

Member
I too live in apt. I went with a 4.5 gal. Hob fuge. I have a 4 inch ls bed with chetto. Workd for me. I plan on getting some pods and live mysis to stick in there. My tank is 55 galon. I don't think it would work on a bigger tank in fact I think iam pushing it.
 
tank a holic

tank a holic

Active Member
+1 on John....
if its a HOB you need a pump to restart the siphon
drilled tanks take care of their self
another thing you can do is ( a little more complicated ) set up what would basically a reverse auto top off.....
hook your return pump power supply through a float switch
when the water level lifts the float it cuts power to the pump and you don't overflow
 
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