You know, I don't see why not. My old 303 has three canisters. According to the instructions one section (the bottom one) holds ceramic media that act's as a pre filter and a place for bacteria to adhere to, the middle section can be used for carbon or other media, and the top section for a sponge filter. The sponge should serve as a great place for bacteria.
I don't know of anyone that has ever used a canister filter as a stand alone bio filter but the theory looks solid.
I've heard that you can cycle a tank with a cocktail shrimp. That's why I asked the previous question. My logic tells me that if you can cycle a tank with a cocktail shrimp you can maintain the bacteria colonies in your bio filter with a cocktail shrimp also. Or am I reading to much into that? I don't know.
Maybe some kind soul will chime in with the answer. Ohhhh kind souls................