Protein Skimmer VS Canister filter

jimbo1989 · 11/08/2013, 03:59 PM

Hello all

I am new to the reef world and have a question. I have heard many different sides to this and was wondering everyones thoughts. I have a 55 gallon reef tank with a marineland canister filter and a cpr bakpak 2r skimmer. The question is do i need the canister filter or can i just get away with the skimmer and the live rock. I do have fish, coral and inverts in the tank. I am getting really tired and taking care of this canister filter its getting tougher and tougher every week with work. It makes funky noises and is a pain to clean and its constantly dirty. I am sorry if this is posted somewhere else and i have just missed it if that is the case please point me in the direction I need to look. I now realize why I should of gotten a reef ready tank with all of the plumbing but I was just on a very strict budget. Any and all help will be appreciated.

patsfan1130 · 11/08/2013, 04:21 PM

Quite simply...no you don't need it. Mechanical filters certainly have a place for some in keeping the water polished and crystal clear as well as put carbon or other media in them. But you absolutely positively do not need it.

miniwhinny · 11/08/2013, 04:22 PM

If your canister filter is "constantly dirty" then I'd get rid of it right away. It's probably doing more harm than good. You may be better with something like an AC110 with some carbon in it. They're easier to clean and very easy to mod into whatever you need them to do. I run one on my 40B (it's actually hanging on my sump) with carbon and chemi pure elite in it.

Arnel0387 · 11/08/2013, 05:14 PM

I would ditch the canister filters and save up for nice skimmer.

jimbo1989 · 11/08/2013, 05:33 PM

Thank you for your responses i have disconnected the canister filter and will be looking into the things suggested. I appreciate the help and quite happy i no longer need to use the filter

phillrodrigo · 11/08/2013, 07:07 PM

A skimmer is great other than siphoning and a skimmer there is no other way.to get derititus out.of the water column. All other types of filtration keep the rotting stuff in the water until it is removed. So if your going to run carbon it needs to be rinsed often everyday to every other or it becomes a issue with nitrates.

JoshyT · 11/12/2013, 08:23 PM

I was told that carbon is no good for a reef tank

Reefmedic79 · 11/12/2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshyT

I was told that carbon is no good for a reef tank

There are benefits to having carbon in a reef tank provided that it is changed regularly.

FTDelta · 11/13/2013, 08:54 AM

Not to mention canister filters are notoriously nitrate factories. I one in my FW set-up and I hated it. Get a skimmer instead.

11/08/2013, 03:59 PM	#1
jimbo1989 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: new jersey Posts: 27	Protein Skimmer VS Canister filter Hello all I am new to the reef world and have a question. I have heard many different sides to this and was wondering everyones thoughts. I have a 55 gallon reef tank with a marineland canister filter and a cpr bakpak 2r skimmer. The question is do i need the canister filter or can i just get away with the skimmer and the live rock. I do have fish, coral and inverts in the tank. I am getting really tired and taking care of this canister filter its getting tougher and tougher every week with work. It makes funky noises and is a pain to clean and its constantly dirty. I am sorry if this is posted somewhere else and i have just missed it if that is the case please point me in the direction I need to look. I now realize why I should of gotten a reef ready tank with all of the plumbing but I was just on a very strict budget. Any and all help will be appreciated.

11/08/2013, 04:21 PM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	Quite simply...no you don't need it. Mechanical filters certainly have a place for some in keeping the water polished and crystal clear as well as put carbon or other media in them. But you absolutely positively do not need it. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

11/08/2013, 05:14 PM	#4
Arnel0387 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 997	I would ditch the canister filters and save up for nice skimmer. __________________ Minimalist, barebottom, SPS dominated dream tank coming soon! My reefing philosophy: SPS = Stability. Patience. Simplicity.

11/08/2013, 04:22 PM	#3
miniwhinny Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 816	If your canister filter is "constantly dirty" then I'd get rid of it right away. It's probably doing more harm than good. You may be better with something like an AC110 with some carbon in it. They're easier to clean and very easy to mod into whatever you need them to do. I run one on my 40B (it's actually hanging on my sump) with carbon and chemi pure elite in it.

11/08/2013, 05:33 PM	#5
jimbo1989 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: new jersey Posts: 27	Thank you for your responses i have disconnected the canister filter and will be looking into the things suggested. I appreciate the help and quite happy i no longer need to use the filter

11/08/2013, 07:07 PM	#6
phillrodrigo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: quaker hill ct Posts: 2,433	A skimmer is great other than siphoning and a skimmer there is no other way.to get derititus out.of the water column. All other types of filtration keep the rotting stuff in the water until it is removed. So if your going to run carbon it needs to be rinsed often everyday to every other or it becomes a issue with nitrates.

11/12/2013, 08:23 PM	#7
JoshyT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3	I was told that carbon is no good for a reef tank

11/13/2013, 08:54 AM	#9
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	Not to mention canister filters are notoriously nitrate factories. I one in my FW set-up and I hated it. Get a skimmer instead.