Sump on a FW? Cannister filter? Or bioballs?

[Delphinus]

Ok so here's my question.

If you wanted to put a sump on a FW tank, would you still use a cannister filter? Or would you use bioballs and some filter floss and be done with things?

I'm trying to figure out how best to setup my new tank. I want to have a sump so I can remove some equipment from the main display, plus not have to worry about water level fluctuations (maybe even throw a float valve on it for auto top off).

But if I have a sump in the cabinet I may have trouble fitting the cannister filter.

Would it even be necessary? Would it be better to use bioballs? I don't really understand the benefit of a bioball system over conventional power filters... are they better?