Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

ChocolateChipStar · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 04:53 PM

Grrrr....just needing to vent. I guess I should have known better than to actually try to ask someone at the LFS a question about sumps when I really only needed to go in and buy salt.

We're still trying to decide between buying a setup or making our own...Neither hubby or I are talented in building, so it's totally possible that we'l spend double the amount of money trying to build the thing than we would if we just bought it new.

Anywho.....get to LFS, dude there is beyond rude, and made me feel like an idiot for thinking I needed/wanted a sump for *just* a 55 gal. He went on and on about how he has a 55 gal, and nothing EVER goes wrong with his. Tried to sell me a canister filter n& a protien skimmer, but I politely thanked him for his time and left.

Sigh. I'm really not stupid like he made me feel, right? Well, even if I am, I'm still 86ing them from the list due to his rudeness!

hosser · #2 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 05:18 PM

There are several succesful tanks on here who use a skimmer and canister filter. Those they work for swear by them, those who didnt have good luck with them hate them. Im sure he is one who hasnt had trouble. Its how YOU want to do it though. Sorry you got treated badly

jimw369 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 06:59 PM

While there are a hundred ways to run a salt tank I think I can say I have never seen a great looking mature tank run off a cannister filter. Cannisters have a place but IMO not as the return pump for a salt tank.

Your choice to stick with a sump type set up under your display tank was a smart one that will pay off in the long run.

Did the LFS have a sump to sell or just cannisters?

hosser · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:18 PM

I agree with Jim on chossing the right way, I on the other hand I have seen a few tanks here that are several years old running off canisters. I personally wouldnt, but some do have success when kept up on i.e. changing media in the filter. But Jim is by far a better and more educated aquarists and has helped me alot, like I said before its a good choice to go your route.

jimw369 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:24 PM

Find me a "great looking mature tank" run off a cannister.

It doesnt happen.

hosser · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:26 PM

A member here by the name of dhboyd runs his off a canister and has for quite some time as well as his friends (although I havent seen that one, if it is anything like this one its nice). I will try and get him to post some pics, I went to his house to grab some frags he was giving me and got to see it personally

jimw369 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:29 PM

Great looking could all be relevant. Not many great looking tanks out there. I see tanks with potential all the time. Time will tell.

Yeah like to see the pics.

hosser · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:33 PM

Ha very true Jim, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as in most things. Success is another thing viewed the same way.... whats success to me or others may not be to you and vice versa. Thats why I like this hobby, theres always something to debate and discuss.
I have heard of cannisters also being emptied out and have live rock in them but havent seen it, bottom line if you have room for a cannister you probably have room for a fuge and sump and that filtration is much better than a cannister or media filter.

jimw369 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosser

Ha very true Jim, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as in most things. Success is another thing viewed the same way.... whats success to me or others may not be to you and vice versa. Thats why I like this hobby, theres always something to debate and discuss.
I have heard of cannisters also being emptied out and have live rock in them but havent seen it, bottom line if you have room for a cannister you probably have room for a fuge and sump and that filtration is much better than a cannister or media filter.

In a cannister filter used for a return pump the flow rate is so high how can the LR have a chance to let bacteria break anything down?

hosser · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 08:24 PM

I said I had no idea how it worked, Id just heard its done. I at this point can only say what Ive seen or heard, and I stated I had only heard about it. Im guessing if you use it as a filter and the flow was too great you would have to have adjustable flow.

teriyakithunder · #11 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 08:37 PM

i've had a fish only for like the past 7 years and its run off a cannister, never had a problem with the nitrates and ammonia. now i have added a skimmer and a bunch of live rock to make it a fowlr tank now. so i guess time will tell how a cannister and skimmer work

jimw369 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teriyakithunder

i've had a fish only for like the past 7 years and its run off a cannister, never had a problem with the nitrates and ammonia. now i have added a skimmer and a bunch of live rock to make it a fowlr tank now. so i guess time will tell how a cannister and skimmer work

Thanks for quoting me.

We are talking reef tank I presume hosser. FOWLR have cannisters all the time...just keep them clean.

hosser · #13 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 09:45 PM

Yes I was speaking of reef tanks.

NOSAJ214 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 11:13 PM

Sorry guys Jim is rite.Canisters are for fish only.You will not create a MATURE home reef system with a canister.It dosent happen.It can be used as a secondary system in larger tanks.The key words here are mature reef.

hosser · #15 (**permalink**) 06-15-2008, 12:01 AM

Define mature, I dont lie about what Ive seen with my own eyes and Ive seen a reef system thats been running on a canister and a protien skimmer only for quite awhile. I believe 100% what I see and about 50% what Im told. If you havent tried it yourself you cant say 100% of anything, but you can have 100% of an opinion and thats half this hobby...opinion....