Should I avoid a canister filter for a reef?

[panosb]

Hello, everybody! I am about to start running my first reef tank and after two months of passionate reading and searching I am feeling a little bit confused...My confusion concerns filtration! I have purchased a nice cubic tank(LWH=70x70x60, that makes about 260lt of water)and I am planning to use an external canister filter (1300lt/h) for my mechanical and chemical filtration, enhanced by a powerful skimmer (Aqua Medic - Turboflotor 1000 multi)! Recent readings have worried me about the canister,considering that I have already purchased it ... Should I use this kind of filtration in my reef system along with the skimmer and a good poundage os LR? Why not? (I just don't want to send my regrets through this forum a few months later!!!) Respecting your experience I am looking forward to finding answers to my problem...

 

[Jolieve]

Ditch the cannister. The problem with cannister filters is that you have to take them off the tank and clean them out once a week. If you don't want that kind of work (and it is a pain in the rear to get the things back off the tank...) then don't run one.

If you don't clean the cannister once a week, nitrates will build up inside it and there goes your tank... not fun.

I recommend returning the cannister filter. I also suggest you put on a sump system. Mine's a rubbermaid tub for the sump box itself (cheap, easy to clean and if it breaks, it's cheap to replace). Some vinyl flex tubeing from home depot for the plumbing, as well as a few bits of pvc pipe. 80$ water pump, and 250$ skimmer. Yes, I spent a lot on my skimmer, but a good skimmer is worth the money. Be prepared to invest quite a bit into the skimmer, probably close to what you would spend for lighting.

Hope this helps!
J

 

[Anonymous]

A canister is ok for running carbon and stuff. If you do use it be sure to get yourself quick disconnect valves on the intake and outtake lines. With mine a quick flick of the lever and I can carry the thing off to the sink without spilling a drop.

 

[RSanders]

J.. sounds easy enough, have a pic of your sump?

As far as MY canister filters.. I bought my system complete w/ 2 magnum350's used from my Dad who was using it all for his freashwater system. I have been running the filters mainly to move water until I can get a better gameplan or figure out how to use/do what I need.

~R

 

[Jolieve]

I'll get a pic of the sump and post it to this thread later on.

J.

 

[RSanders]

Thanks J.

Dan, GREAT pix of your girls on your page. I almost felt like I knew them watching them grow up like that. I'll have to do something like that for my kids... would be nice to look at.

~R

 

[jharvey]

I feel that canister filters are a great tool. They move water like a power head, but can be used for carbon, phosguard, water polishing, algone, etc.

It is best to stay away from filter material that might become a nitrate factory, like a foam sleeve, or a micron filter used for extended periods.

I use my magnum as a PH and throw in the charcol canister once in a while, and run phosguard most of the time to keep the phosphates down. When I want to vacumn a lot of detritus without doing a huge water change I put in the micron filter and attach my cleaning hose. Then I can clean as well as I want because the filter catches all of the detritus and returns the water to the tank.

They really are a great tool. Use them to your advantage.