I, like yourself have run canisters, and depending on what you are putting in them, they can be good or bad. For chemical or supplemental biological, they are useful, but for the price you are paying, yes, you could set up a fuge and have much more versatility and filtering power, but it depends on personal preference as whether it's floss, sponge or filter socks, they are all"potential"nitrate factories if husbandry is poor with the mechanical part.
If your set on canisters,I would stay with Fluval and look at a fx5, add that is a great canister that is worth every penny!
But it is personal preference. I would also look at Ats systems as they are cheap to set up and work very, very well for nutrient absorption and food supply for your tank.
As for skimmers, my choice and recommendation would be aqua C and their spray injection which has to be seen to be believed. I have had Becket, needle wheel, venturi, air and I have never had a series/type of skimmers that produce what they do, by far!
But once again, if your sticking with canisters,FX all the way!
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