filtration questions help

[nafuzy]

Will a 20 gallon custom made sump/refugium and a canister filter be enough filtration for a 110 gallon aggressive FOWLR tank?

 

[standridge32]

I would say it depends on the type of canister but nitrates and nitrites are hard to control with a canister filter. I would just go with a Sump. But that's just me. I have never been a fan of canister filters

 

[standridge32]

And it also depends on the amount of lr

 

[nafuzy]

90-110lbs LR. You think otherwise that 20 gal wet/dry sump is sufficient..?????

 

[standridge32]

I think it would if you play your cards right. Im guessing this is a non drilled tank? Is that why you were thinking canister?

 

[nafuzy]

Yes. Well I have a 55 with the sump unit I built and friend is trading me 110 with the canister so itd be all I had for awhile filtration wise and I wanted to inquire if it would suffice for a tank that size

 

[standridge32]

Well you can get an overflow box and go with a Sump that's what I have for my 85g tank. The thing with canister filters is they hold nitrates really really REALLY bad. I have heard numerous issues with nitrate problems with a canister. They require a lot of maintenance. I owned one for maybe a month and it was unbelievable how many issues come about. They are a pain to clean too. It's way easier to deal with a Sump. But.... Saying all this I have seen people make them work it just takes a lot of work and patience. You must go slow. Thats with anything with salt water but with a canister go even slower..

 

[nafuzy]

You don't think the 20gal sump is to small for the 110gal aggressive tho right???

 

[standridge32]

If you have enough flow in/out it shouldn't be a problem at all. I have seen it done. Before you buy a overflow box hit me up so your not getting ripped off. I would suggest reeflife.com a double. They make very good overflow boxes and don't require a aqualifter pump. And I recommend a powerful return pump. What type of filteration are you gonna use in your Sump?

 

[nafuzy]

I have. Homemade overflow. And its. 2 inches of bioballs 2-3 layers of filterpad and nitrate sponge live rock chunks and 2 inches of matrix then the heater chamber then the 10inch refuge and a rip I think 2100 return pump to a custom made occur spray bar.

 

[nafuzy]

I kind of want a second siphon on the overflow tho cause the return seems too powerful. Oh and 2 purigen packs floating in return chamber.