Canister Filter Question

[tropicalwaters]

hi, i was looking into getting this canister filter for my 55G long tank. Its a ocean clear with UV sterilizer. I was wondering if anyone has it/ or any experience with them? thanks!

 

[Adrinal]

Can filters are not recommended for reef tanks. Do some more research and you will find better methods

 

[craigybaby37]

well i dont know where u read there not good for reef tanks but thats wrong. you'll find a lot of people on here run external canister filters including myself its no different to an internal filter only that u have more space for your selected media and it makes up tank less cluttered not having big filters on the side of the tank.

 

[tropicalwaters]

Adrinal, why do you say they are not recommended for reef tanks? I know quite alot of people that run them, they never had a problem unless they neglected maintance, but that's true for everything. I decided to go with the canister because i will be keeping an eel, and they are quite messy.

 

[Splatter]

I think what Adrinal meant was that there are alot of better ways to filter the tank than using a External canister - hence why not many would reccomend their use.

I'm in the process of setting up my reef tank (also 55gals) at the moment and I'm going to be running a sump with a refugium and hopefully a cryptic zone as filtration other than that of live rock - I think that the sump works far better as there's a greater volume of water to dilute changes, canisters don't have this ability. You can also cultivate critters, macroalgae and use Deep sand beds to help complete the nitrogen cycle (Which in my opinion is fairly important).

Anyway that didn't answer what you asked, but I hope it somewhat helped

 

[tropicalwaters]

I am planning on having a sump/ refugium. Would it not be better to have biological and chemical filtration? or is it overkill.........

 

[steelhealr]

The issue here, I think, is how to keep nitrates lowest and many find that canisters are a bit harder to work with with regards to marines. Can you use them? Sure. But the canister would need attention and cleansing. Many contain cermics, noodles, etc...although, they can be removed.

Without a doubt, a sump, refugium, live rock and water pumps are excellent methods of filtration. LR provides biological and macroalgae ALSO provides chemical sorta by consuming nitrates. I cannot overemphasize the amazing help a refugium provides. My nitrates are at zero now for over a year plus since I got my chaeto cooking. As for other chemical, many create chambers in their sumps/refugiums where they can put their media (phosphate binders, etc.)

SH