Canister Filter for Reef Tank

[AudraMurphy]

I apologize for the length of this post but I need some help and hope I have provided enough background information. I am the caretaker of a 100 SW Aquarium at my church. It currently has live rock, fish, and some corals. I would like to eventually add alot of different corals and create a scene that might be seen in the ocean.

Tank Background
Our Children's Wing inherited the tank from our Sr. Pastor who no longer had the time to maintain it. It was setup as a SW for about 2 years and in October 2010 it was moved. We kept some of the original sand and added new sand to create sand bed that was about 1". The live rock as well as the back glass was covered in algae and we picked/scraped off as much as we could before we put it the rock back in. We were able to transport around 50gallons and the remaining 50 was made after moving the tank and stand. All the equipment was cleaned thoroughly (no chemicals of any kind) before re-installing it in the tank.

We had 11 fish at the time we moved and I was very relieved to see that they were all alive the next morning. After about a month we added a cleaning crew package containing about 100 snails and crabs. I also added a Lawn Mower Blenny. In the beginning it seemed that the green algae wouldn't go away. I would clean the glass when I got there in the morning and by lunch it was green again. After about 4 or 5 months I didn't seem to have that problem any more.

It's been in its current location for almost a year now and I haven't had any major problems (yet).

Current Maintenance Schedule
Currently I do 10% water changes on a weekly basis (unless there's something wrong with my water testing). I clean the glass daily. An RO/DI system was donated to us so we are able to make our own water. I test the following parameters each week (includes my latest results):

Temperature = 78
Salinity = 1.03 (normally runs 1.023)
pH = 8.2
Nitrate = 10 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Ammonia = 0 ppm
Phosphate = 0 ppm
Carbonate Hardness = 161.1
Calcium = 460

Once a month or every 6 weeks I pull out the filters, skimmer, and powerheads and clean them. I change the filters and if I see the Phosphates rise I change out the Phosban.


Question
I want to get a better filtration system. I wanted a sump but because of the aquarium's proximity to K - 5th graders it doesn't seem to be the best system. In addition the stand doesn't give very much room to maneuver. It was suggested that I switch to a canister filter and the Fluvall 405 was referred to me. I read about it and watched some videos about setup and maintenance and it seems to be easy to maintain and doesn't have any open tops that could get anything dropped in it.

Because we are on a limited budget I need to get something economical, but something that will be good for the aquarium and future corals.

Would this be an acceptable filtration system. I have read some reviews that say this filter is a nitrate factory unless it is cleaned regularly.

Any help you could provide in helping me pick out a new filtration system would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you require any additional information in order to help me make a decision on the best way to go with the new filtration system.

Current Livestock
Yellow Tang, Sailfin Tang, Scopas Tang, Yellowtail Damselfish, Lawnmower Blenny, Coral Beauty Angelfish, Ocellaris Clownfish (2), Clarkii Cownfish, Engineer Goby (2). Flowerpot Coral, Red Sponges (2), GBTA (4), Orange Sun Coral, Green Mushroom Corals (4), Pink Birdsnet Coral, Long Spine Sea Urchin (2), pincushion sea urchin, blue tuxedo sea urchin, and short spine sea urchin, about 75 snails/crabs, serpent sea star

Aquarium Equipment
Marineland Bio-Weel 400 Power Filters (2)
Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer
Aqueon 950 Circulating Pumps (2)
Phosban placed in pouch and put in Marineland HOB filters.
Marineland Heaters (2)
Lighting - Coralite Fluorescent Lights - 1 Actinic and 1 10K Bulb in each fixture (2) - If budget allows hoping to move to T5 fixtures this year

 

[briankmarsh1980]

if you have enough live rock you don't need any mechanical filtration
as long as you clean out the canister every few days you wont have a problem using one

 

[harthag12]

I purchased a beautiful sps 28g off a locla club mbr and his primary water movement was from a fluval fx5, the big brother of the 405. He had it loaded with phosban, carbon, filter floss, etc. When we opened it it was filled with pods as well. He said he kept up on cleaning it weekly and it also made changing tank water a breeze. I can't comment to it because the tank cracked a week later on me due to an uneven floor, but judging by his results it worked great. You sound very up on maintenance so it really shouldn't be an issue if maintained.

 

[sporto0]

I prefer to have at least one mechanical filter on my Reef tanks, they are far and away the best filtration method for keeping your water clear of floating debris & as the others have stated, a little maintenance goes a long way. Good luck.

 

[hw6515]

Hi,

I do have a marineland 400 and a fluval 405. I don't have to much experience to judge efficiency but installation of the 405 was very easy and is very easy to clean.

You can also use any media you like and there are plenty of filtration setups you can use.

One thing I read but I have not confirm is that the filter does allow water to flow without going thru the media to keep the rated flow possible.

So far no nitrates issues but I do clean the prefilter weekly.

Hope this help. Shout if you have any question.

 

[AudraMurphy]

Thank y'all so much for your help!! I've started with ordering 60 pounds of live rock. So we will see how it goes.

 

[biecacka]

so could one run a canister filter w carbon and phosban in it instead of running multiple reactors and get the same benefits?
corey