canister filter?

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 08:31 PM

I purchased a nova pro extreme t5 ho light system. The fixture is the exact width of tank and does not clear my bio wheel filter. I know the norm is a sump system but I'm not ready for expense. With 5 gal changes (tropic marin reef blend) weekly I've had a very stable tank with out any sump. What I'm wondering is if I can run a reef long term with just a canister and bio bail skimmer? No bio wheel.

Blown 346 · 10/26/2008, 08:58 PM

I myself dont like canister filters for a few reasons.

They dont have the option to hide your equipment.

They dont provide alot of water flow

They build up alot of Detritus which can lead to algea problmes.

You can build your own sump out of another fishtank for almost nothing. Find a used tank from someone or, buy a new 20 gallon.

That would be your best bet.

But you can run a tank long term on a canister filter, but it will have to be cleaned out all the time 2 or 3 times a week.

WaterKeeper · 10/26/2008, 09:02 PM

I'd ditch the bio-wheel anyway and look at a HOB skimmer like the Remora or Bak-Pak.

tmz · 10/26/2008, 09:05 PM

Used a fluval 404 for years with just the sponges and carbon. Did frequent water changes on the 90 g and cleaned the canister every two weeks. A sump is a lot easier.

chinta · 10/26/2008, 09:13 PM

I agree with waterkeeper
I took his advise and followed his plan buy dumping the wheel and canister all together
now 3 years no canister filter at all...
Live Rock, Skimmer, hang on tank fuge

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 09:16 PM

OK well thanks for the reply.

So if I were to do a sump I'd like something very secure. For sure not an open tank. I'm not into splashing and salt creep as I sure most of us. Is there a fully enclosed system that is next to worry free if given a larger budget? I am so afraid of leaks or overflows with a power outage. As well my tank is not drilled, can you do a overflow system on a tank without salt creep. And would you suggest bio balls or a refuge. Hey I really appreciate your experienced advice. A specific brand and model you would suggest for my tank?

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 09:21 PM

Waterkeeper I have a cpr bak pak skimmer but a sump or some sort of filtration is a must right?even in a 3yr tank

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 09:23 PM

Chinta
Are you running w/o sump? just hang on back skimmer and fuge?

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 09:27 PM

I would love practical options for long term if just a hang on back skimmer and fuge will do!!!! The sump thing scares me
I've heard some horror stories that I dont want to be part of. Mostly home made ones

WaterKeeper · 10/26/2008, 09:29 PM

For tanks up to 55 gal. a HOB skimmer will be pretty much a poor man's sump. Sure a sump is great but the HOB solution works for many a tank. The real key is the use of LR to provide the bulk of the filtration and the skimmer to help lessen its load.

tmz · 10/26/2008, 09:34 PM

I would not use bioballs in any configuration since they are designed for use in high oxygen environments and to breakdown ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. They do not breakdown nitrate. It is better to let the breakdown of ammonia and nitrite occur on the substrate or live rpck so the nitrate laden water can then seep into low oxygen areas deep in the substrate or in the live rock.

Brent RH · 10/26/2008, 09:39 PM

Ok waterkeeper so your saying HOB is not a good long term system. I guess what I have has worked till now with my most recent obstruction. I've wanted to get rid of the bio wheel for a while anyway. so hmm... what should I do?

10/26/2008, 08:31 PM	#1
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	canister filter? I purchased a nova pro extreme t5 ho light system. The fixture is the exact width of tank and does not clear my bio wheel filter. I know the norm is a sump system but I'm not ready for expense. With 5 gal changes (tropic marin reef blend) weekly I've had a very stable tank with out any sump. What I'm wondering is if I can run a reef long term with just a canister and bio bail skimmer? No bio wheel.

10/26/2008, 09:02 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'd ditch the bio-wheel anyway and look at a HOB skimmer like the Remora or Bak-Pak. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

10/26/2008, 09:05 PM	#4
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Used a fluval 404 for years with just the sponges and carbon. Did frequent water changes on the 90 g and cleaned the canister every two weeks. A sump is a lot easier. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

10/26/2008, 09:29 PM	#10
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	For tanks up to 55 gal. a HOB skimmer will be pretty much a poor man's sump. Sure a sump is great but the HOB solution works for many a tank. The real key is the use of LR to provide the bulk of the filtration and the skimmer to help lessen its load. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

10/26/2008, 09:34 PM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I would not use bioballs in any configuration since they are designed for use in high oxygen environments and to breakdown ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. They do not breakdown nitrate. It is better to let the breakdown of ammonia and nitrite occur on the substrate or live rpck so the nitrate laden water can then seep into low oxygen areas deep in the substrate or in the live rock. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

10/26/2008, 08:58 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I myself dont like canister filters for a few reasons. They dont have the option to hide your equipment. They dont provide alot of water flow They build up alot of Detritus which can lead to algea problmes. You can build your own sump out of another fishtank for almost nothing. Find a used tank from someone or, buy a new 20 gallon. That would be your best bet. But you can run a tank long term on a canister filter, but it will have to be cleaned out all the time 2 or 3 times a week.

10/26/2008, 09:13 PM	#5
chinta Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Elgin, Illinois Posts: 176	I agree with waterkeeper I took his advise and followed his plan buy dumping the wheel and canister all together now 3 years no canister filter at all... Live Rock, Skimmer, hang on tank fuge

10/26/2008, 09:16 PM	#6
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	OK well thanks for the reply. So if I were to do a sump I'd like something very secure. For sure not an open tank. I'm not into splashing and salt creep as I sure most of us. Is there a fully enclosed system that is next to worry free if given a larger budget? I am so afraid of leaks or overflows with a power outage. As well my tank is not drilled, can you do a overflow system on a tank without salt creep. And would you suggest bio balls or a refuge. Hey I really appreciate your experienced advice. A specific brand and model you would suggest for my tank?

10/26/2008, 09:21 PM	#7
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	Waterkeeper I have a cpr bak pak skimmer but a sump or some sort of filtration is a must right?even in a 3yr tank

10/26/2008, 09:23 PM	#8
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	Chinta Are you running w/o sump? just hang on back skimmer and fuge?

10/26/2008, 09:27 PM	#9
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	I would love practical options for long term if just a hang on back skimmer and fuge will do!!!! The sump thing scares me I've heard some horror stories that I dont want to be part of. Mostly home made ones

10/26/2008, 09:39 PM	#12
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	Ok waterkeeper so your saying HOB is not a good long term system. I guess what I have has worked till now with my most recent obstruction. I've wanted to get rid of the bio wheel for a while anyway. so hmm... what should I do?