Setting up a main tank..
- Thread starter jckjohn
- Start date
What type of tank are you setting up? Fish only, LPS or SPS. Most all tanks will include a sump for equipment, like a heater and carbon. Not having a sump makes adding these things easier. Also adds volume to help stabilize parameters. Filters like this require more maintenance, it is one of the reason some do not run filter socks. If this is a fish only tank try it but be open to adding a sump.
:hmm2:
This is going to be a disaster, IMO.
Who's "they"?
If your canister filter is under the tank, you can do a sump just as easily. Ditch the canister, ditch the hang on skimmers.
If you want to do SPS, you should do the setup right from the get-go.
Indymann99
New member
+1 ditch the canister filter and put a sump in the stand under the tank.
A sump provides
place for in-sump skimmer - hang on back skimmers have all sorts of drawbacks.
place for heaters - keeps them out of the display tank
place for probes - temp, ph, other
place for ATO (and floats) - auto top off is easy in a sump.
place to add dosing
I would STOP you build now, read up on sumps.
Look at Trigger Systems they are nice quality sumps.
A sump provides
place for in-sump skimmer - hang on back skimmers have all sorts of drawbacks.
place for heaters - keeps them out of the display tank
place for probes - temp, ph, other
place for ATO (and floats) - auto top off is easy in a sump.
place to add dosing
I would STOP you build now, read up on sumps.
Look at Trigger Systems they are nice quality sumps.
RayAllen3422
New member
Sumps are intimidating at first but they make everything much easier in the long run.
Dundermifflin
New member
I ran the exact same canister filter with a sump. I can tell you those are less eficient and much more maintenance v. a sump and everything a sump provides. I tossed mine when I updated to a new sump. My advice would be to return the canister filter and get a sump that will allow you to grow. I purchased the new 3rd generation Eshopps RS-300. Easy setup, low maintenance, very quiet and works great. I have a vertex omega 150 skimmer in there along with a pump for the GFO reactor, a pump for Carbon reactor, a pump for the emporer aquatics 40 Watt UV, and a sponge filter and two heaters. There will be some great deals coming up in the next week or so. Your stand provides you with plenty of room for a good sized sump. Why not take advantage of that? I think the route your going with the canister filter, you're taking three steps back.
or, you can return the canister before it sees water and do the setup right from the get-go.
You don't want to use HOB skimmers, either.
This isn't a terribly difficult thing to do, set up a sump. If you're in a rush, slow down. Only bad things happen when you rush this stuff.
kmbyrnes
New member
Congratulations on your new tank! This is a very exciting time for you.
I don't see why you fear a sump. Even with a canister filter, you are pulling water out of the DT and down to a filtration unit and then pumping it back to the DT.
A sump just provides more area to place other pieces of equipment out of sight below the DT.
Having run a canister filter on a FOWLR for almost a year, I can state that a sump is much easier to clean, monitor and maintain.
If you have been reading here for long, one thing you will often read from those in the hobby 6 months to a year is: "I have should have done _______ in the first place and saved myself money and time."
In your case, you should go to a sump before you fill your tank. You will thank yourself ( and RC ) in the long run.
I don't see why you fear a sump. Even with a canister filter, you are pulling water out of the DT and down to a filtration unit and then pumping it back to the DT.
A sump just provides more area to place other pieces of equipment out of sight below the DT.
Having run a canister filter on a FOWLR for almost a year, I can state that a sump is much easier to clean, monitor and maintain.
If you have been reading here for long, one thing you will often read from those in the hobby 6 months to a year is: "I have should have done _______ in the first place and saved myself money and time."
In your case, you should go to a sump before you fill your tank. You will thank yourself ( and RC ) in the long run.
