Why is sump better than canister?

[solarnailspa2007]

After alot of you guys told me that sump is better than canister filter, finally i have a sump set up for my new tank now...

Please guys, tell me or explain to me why is sump better than canister filters example xP1, xP2, xP3 or other kind... What is bad thing about sump? I hope none...

[jenglish]

A sump by itself does not really filter but does ad stability through increased volume, and help with temp and gas exchange. A canister is generally a nitrate factory due to the ability to trap large amounts of detritus and having a large surface area but no anaerobic areas. This abundance of bacteria can lower oxygen levels (doing the opposite as a sump in this case). A sump can also add some flow and get all that equipment out of view. It also adds room for a refugium that can be used to reduce nitrates.

[The Forbiden Reef]

To me the water volume you gain is a plus. And you can put bigger pumps in the sump to get a better gph rating than most canisters, it also depends on the size of the tank. You dont get that from a canister filter, also they can be a pain to clean. One more thing is depending on what filter medias you run in it, it could get costly.

[mgloop9656]

Originally Posted by The Forbiden Reef

And you can put bigger pumps in the sump to get a better gph rating than most canisters.

i thought that you did not want a fast flow through rate in your sump to allow your skimmer to properly funtion? from what i have heard it should have a turnover of les than 5. i thought the high turnover rate you want should come from the powerheads or a closed loop.

[Jnicho]

Originally Posted by mgloop9656

i thought that you did not want a fast flow through rate in your sump to allow your skimmer to properly funtion? from what i have heard it should have a turnover of les than 5. i thought the high turnover rate you want should come from the powerheads or a closed loop.

Exactly...too much flow through the sump = dirty water going back to the display...IMO 3x-5x turnover is a good rule of thumb for your return pump...aditional flow, as you mention should be in the form of PH's or CLS.

[condiman]

I have taken over many setups that the return pump is to big and its just blowing the dirt right threw the sump and back into the tank.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by Jnicho

Exactly...too much flow through the sump = dirty water going back to the display...IMO 3x-5x turnover is a good rule of thumb for your return pump...aditional flow, as you mention should be in the form of PH's or CLS.

Originally Posted by condiman

I have taken over many setups that the return pump is to big and its just blowing the dirt right threw the sump and back into the tank.

Ummm, whats the difference between the return pump pumping it back in the tank and powerheads or a CLS blowing it around in the tank? Either way, its not getting removed from the system. At least if it goes through the sump you stand a chance of getting it out of the display.

The flowrate through the skimmer section should be matched to the skimmer. In most setups, that dictates the flow rate through the sump. Mostly for convenience though. If you T off the drain and send the flowrate the skimmer needs through the skimmer compartment and let the rest dump right after the skimmer, you can increase the flow in the system without adding powerheads or having to install a CLS setup. And, for almost a year now, I have told people to match the flowrate through the sump to match the skimmer until very recently when I looked at a few setups like I described and realized my thinking was wrong.

[mgloop9656]

i have been looking for info on this topic that talks about the actual physics of this and not just someones opinions. anybody know of any? the concept of letting the water run throught the sump at a speed that lets the skimmer fully utilize the water rather than just rushing it back out of the sump seems completely logical in my opinion.

I really like your idea of having the overflow t'd off and having the chambers so that you can run your pump full throttle if its what you want. saves some hassle of drilling and setting up a loop and save the cost of the pump for a loop. but personally i still think a loop is the way to go

[OneDummHikk]

mgloop, rather than hijack this thread with this topic, I started a new thread on sump flowrates here:
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f2...ml#post1441886

Come discuss it with me