FX5 or Sump?

Jeff721

Jeff721

Members
I'm sure that the question has been discussed before about canister filter vs. sump, but I dare ask it again.

Here's my setup/needs.
Tank is a 90 gallon, not drilled, no current filtration.
Inhabitants will be green terrors, jack dempseys, giant danios, and may some sort of pleco.
The tank needs to sit very close to a wall - no room for an h.o.b. filter.
Eventually the tank will be replace by a 125 or similar in a new house.

Thoughts?
 
mdlnewman

mdlnewman

Members
FX5=silent, so if you need quiet, only way to go

with a sump you are going to have to cut holes or have an overflow hanging over the back so still need a little room

Sump is easier to keep clean
 
Tony

Tony

Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
I'm a big proponent of sumps, but will never again put one on an undrilled tank.

FX-5.
 
verbal

verbal

CCA Members
I think with an undrilled 90, the FX5 is the clear choice. Also it can probably handle the 125, even with the big fish.
 
Hannibal

Hannibal

Members
I was actually debating the two myself for my new 75 gallon. I went with the FX5 over the sump for the noise factor. It actually came in yesterday. Having never seen it before in person I was actually blown away by the size of the thing...it's HUGE! (insert that's what she said joke here) I hope to have it up and running this weekend!
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
An FX5 is a serious canister filter. Way more than is needed on a 75g, in my opinion.

I've ranted before about why I don't like canister filters (PITA to clean as often as they should be cleaned), which is why I have dump filters on my large tanks.

Matt
 
Avatar

Avatar

Plenipotentiary-at-large
Actually

You could snag a big used Eheim off of Ebay - dare say they'd stack up very well against an FX5 and if anything are probably quieter.
 
Hannibal

Hannibal

Members
I picked it up for when I upgrade my 55 gallon to either a 125 or larger. Figured I have the money now why not pick one up. I have a AC110 that I can throw on the 75 when I move the FX5. Plus its always better to overfilter right? lol
 
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ezrk

Members
Pro IIs have problems I think. I have Pro IIIs and like them (although they have needed replacement heads from Eheim as they were early models that eventually leaked). I believe I have read the that Pro IIs have more serious leak issues, hence the Pro III line which is largely the same.
 
Avatar

Avatar

Plenipotentiary-at-large
Am sure I have no idea

I'm running four older 2017/2026/2028s, two 2227s and a 2229 and have never had any issues save one that was remedied by replacing a gasket. Could well be that the newer ones have issues but the original models appear to be bomb-proof.
 
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bvj409

New Member
I would not do either! There's a company called aqua-top and the have a 500 series with the built in uv sterilizer! I have one ! And also have had a sump system! Currently have a Fx5 and Rena filstar xp4 ! And the aquatop top moves more water and is quieter than all of them! Great value too!


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
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bvj409

New Member
Jeff721 said:
I'm sure that the question has been discussed before about canister filter vs. sump, but I dare ask it again.

Here's my setup/needs.
Tank is a 90 gallon, not drilled, no current filtration.
Inhabitants will be green terrors, jack dempseys, giant danios, and may some sort of pleco.
The tank needs to sit very close to a wall - no room for an h.o.b. filter.
Eventually the tank will be replace by a 125 or similar in a new house.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Aquatop 500 with uv sterilizer better than my fx5


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Scorp1us

Scorp1us

Members
I have a pro II and a knock-off pro II.
The authentic is many years old and the only time I had a leak was my fault. The knockoff is stronger water flow but louder. The OEM whispers away. They are both in the same cabinet and compared to the air pump they are quiet.

I have a 30 gal with a penguin HOB, but here's the kicker. It's on the side! So it is 1" from the wall. The canisters are quieter only because the of the water sound.

When you get over 55 gallons I like to run two filters and two heaters at opposite ends. It gives you better filtration because of the flow and redundancy. Stuff gets removed faster having two pick-ups. Especially when you have rock work the water has to flow around.

So I'd recommend 2 fluval 206s. Used, they can be had for about $40 ea. They are more work as you have two filters to clean. I guess you could go with a big 405 and put multiple outlets and intakes on it... I'd look at the wattage of 2 small vs 1 large and do whatever consumes the least amount of watts.

After my recent heater debacle, I'd look for one with an integrated heater. I should inform you that I bought a tank and filter and heaters as a complete setup, and I've been incrementally improving it. But it's less crap 'in the tank' and sometimes less cords.
 
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ezrk

Members
I wouldn't ever do anything bigger than a 55 without two filters. The ability to take one offline for some time without having to seriously worry about the tank is pretty valuable.
 
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