The sump is a way better choice and can be done for cheap... More than likely, cheaper than the new canister.

Tell us what you have for equipment now.
Skimmer? brand?
how much LR?
powerheads?
I can say without a doubt don't buy another Canister....but with an equipment list I can surely tell you where to put that money to serve you better.

A sump is a great thing as it adds space for the equipment and more live rock but not a must there are many ways to keep SW aquariums it just happens to be the most common.

Also what are your plans for this tank? Types of Corals, Fish ect.

We have a 33 gallon tank.
It has a remora c skimmer.
About 35 pounds of live rock.
The powerhead is a 150g/h
This is the tank with the clownfish etc. we arent planning too much to change with this one.

our tank we are starting from scratch is going to be the reef tank. More corals, couple fish . That one doesnt have a skimmer, about 50 pounds of live rock. its a 40gallon tank. It has 2 powerheads one is 110 and the other 150.

We arent even sure how to go about setting up the sumps.

Leave it as is no canister is needed. Save the money to buy corals:wink:

When your ready to setup the sump for your new tank just post up your ideas and you will get lots of good feedback. This forum has a ridiculous amount of knowledge.

yep, if you feel you need more flow put another power head it.

Wow, so it would be okay without the filter? Even without the sump...we aren't convinced the skimmer is doing much as it isnt a 'bubbly' in the little cup as we have read it should be...

What filter media did you put in the canister?

In the Fluval canister we just had the fluval spongey filters, biomax and he carbon bags...thats what was in there when we bought the system.

In the other tank we intend to be a reef tank, we have a Hanging filter with some carbon, spongey things, maybe some biomax and then a bag of little crushed rocks and shells and such....

I'm not a fan of spongy things they need lots of maintenance and turn into nitrate bombs over time.