Need advice on a sump or canister filter

[scifixtion]

I have a 12 gallon saltwater tank (you can find my post on FOWLR forum)

I just bought a brand new 75 gallon tank since I have a 12 gallon (now going to be my quartine tank) I have an idea on how to setup the 75 gallon tank. I plan on make it a reef. I will have live rock, live sand & a protien skimmer.

But my little tank never had a sump/filter it's to little, it only has canister filter.

For my 75 gallon, should I buy a canister filter or a sump/pump filter? which is better?

Or should I do both a sump & canister filter or is that over kill?

Thanks for any advice before I fill the tank up with saltwater.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Congrats on the bigger tank! I just ordered a reef ready 75 myself... I think 75 is the perfect size if you dont have tons of room.
Canister filters are really usefull for running carbon and having the extra water flow, but not much else. If you do use one, you would probably be better off ditching the bio media and filter pad. They can trap junk and become a source of high nitrates. The filter pad can be used but you would have to clean it religiously (i'd say at least twice a week).

The sump system is great for extra water volume and a place to hide equipment (heater, thermometer probe, etc...), but the same applies as far as the use of filter pads and bio media.
Many convert their sump into a fuge where they can use a deep sand bed and macro algae for extra nutrient export.
I plan on having a 20 gallon long tank and making it a fuge with a DSB and chaeto aglae.
It helps keep nitrates down, which is important for a reef tank.

[Saltwater To Go]

Congratulations again on the new tank. If you have the room sump is the way to go. Does your tank have a built in overflow or will you need a external overflow?. are going to seed you new tank w/ Bacteria from your 12gal. tank.

Fishman