Fluval G3

[Magiclamets]

Thinking about getting a G3 for my reef tank. Please help me with some advice.

 

[KathyC]

While many folks do run canister filters, it is preferable to run a skimmer, a reactor or two and have enough live rock in the tank to keep the water clean and the parameters stable.
IMO a mechanical filter is not/should not be necessary in a reef tank if you are keeping up with your water changes and husbandry.

The downside to a canister filter is each time you take it off line and clean it - you are reducing your biofilter by a good chunk as a LOT of bacteria is living inside of there.
The other downside is in the event of a power failure you MUST dump ALL of the contents once the power is off for approx 1 hour as all of the bacteria will be dead (as in deceased) and if you launch it back into your tank..you can wipe out your tank...

What equipment are you currently running on your tank?

 

[Magiclamets]

Just the stock filter(internal) that come with the tank(JBJ Nano). I put a foam that I change every 5 days carbon and chemi pure

 

[AlA]

I recently bought a g3 for an 18gal. I haven't run it yet so my opinion is limited but my understanding of the g3 is that the bacteria shouldn't be wiped out with every cleaning, as most of it will live in the g-nodes which doesn't need to be cleaned/replaced more than once every 6 months.

 

[AlA]

The other downside is in the event of a power failure you MUST dump ALL of the contents once the power is off for approx 1 hour as all of the bacteria will be dead (as in deceased) and if you launch it back into your tank..you can wipe out your tank...

Kathy, why does the bacteria die in an hour if there is a power outage, is it due to lack of circulation?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Lack of oxygen.