FOWLR / Canister / Sump / LR --- confused

BOSLawGuy · 09/21/2013, 12:34 PM

Can someone briefly go over which is necessary for a FOWLR?

If I have a FOWLR with sufficient LR, do I need a Canister Filter - my understanding is that is so, only if I do not have a sump (which will have mech.media)

Do I need to put LR in the sump?

Reefmedic79 · 09/21/2013, 04:51 PM

If you are going to have a sump with mechanical media, then there is no need for a canister filter.

What type of mechanical filtration do you intend on employing?

BOSLawGuy · 09/22/2013, 12:11 PM

Sorry for the late reply.

My plan was to build my sump with enough baffles to have an area with 30 ppi songes, then 20 ppi sponges... then filter floss.

Essentially one in each baffle.

Thoughts?

NTP66 · 09/22/2013, 01:26 PM

If you look at what most others on here are running on their FOWLR setups, they're all pretty simple and effective - live rock and a sump with a protein skimmer. If you're building your own sump, you should be able to setup the baffles so that no filter is needed. I personally run both a filter sock and a sponge filter, but my acrylic sump was a prefab unit, and I didn't know any better at the time. I do still think it's always a good idea to leave the option of using a sock if you're building a custom sump - especially when it comes time to clean the tank.

I had a canister filter on my FW tank, and wouldn't recommend them to anyone for any reason outside of throwing in the garbage, unless you enjoy cleaning them every other day.

mluntz · 09/23/2013, 10:45 AM

I use my canister filter simply just to run GAC and GFO, and for a little bit of extra flow. Have to keep an eye on nitrates though, but so far no problems.

09/21/2013, 12:34 PM	#1
BOSLawGuy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 151	FOWLR / Canister / Sump / LR --- confused Can someone briefly go over which is necessary for a FOWLR? If I have a FOWLR with sufficient LR, do I need a Canister Filter - my understanding is that is so, only if I do not have a sump (which will have mech.media) Do I need to put LR in the sump?

09/21/2013, 04:51 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	If you are going to have a sump with mechanical media, then there is no need for a canister filter. What type of mechanical filtration do you intend on employing? __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

09/22/2013, 01:26 PM	#4
NTP66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Posts: 975	If you look at what most others on here are running on their FOWLR setups, they're all pretty simple and effective - live rock and a sump with a protein skimmer. If you're building your own sump, you should be able to setup the baffles so that no filter is needed. I personally run both a filter sock and a sponge filter, but my acrylic sump was a prefab unit, and I didn't know any better at the time. I do still think it's always a good idea to leave the option of using a sock if you're building a custom sump - especially when it comes time to clean the tank. I had a canister filter on my FW tank, and wouldn't recommend them to anyone for any reason outside of throwing in the garbage, unless you enjoy cleaning them every other day. __________________ Nick Current Tank Info: 90g FOWLR, Reef Octopus NWB-150 skimmer, MP40wES x2, Eheim 1260 return, BuildMyLED 20,000k XB LEDs, Apex Jr.

09/23/2013, 10:45 AM	#5
mluntz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Millersville, Md. Posts: 727	I use my canister filter simply just to run GAC and GFO, and for a little bit of extra flow. Have to keep an eye on nitrates though, but so far no problems. __________________ 46 Gallon Bowfront, (1)Ocellaris Clownfish, (1)Carpenter wrasse, (1)Coral Beauty, (1)Kole Tang

09/22/2013, 12:11 PM	#3
BOSLawGuy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 151	Sorry for the late reply. My plan was to build my sump with enough baffles to have an area with 30 ppi songes, then 20 ppi sponges... then filter floss. Essentially one in each baffle. Thoughts?