Canister Filters- Or Am I Crazy?

[happyclam]

I remember reading somewhere about using canisters on reef aquariums. I though it would be kinda' cool for a nano, as it would effectivly be a 3 in 1:
-provides a place for chem, mech, or bio media
-if properly sized would provide all the flow requirements for a softie/LPS reef, thus eliminating powerheads= better view
-allows you to run heater in-line and out of the tank, and would probably heat water more efficiently, see here: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=HY-T08110&Category_Code=Hydor-h

What do you think? Also, it would allow you to pre-cycle your filters so you get less die-off from rock, or could use dry rock and not need to worry about seeding. Basically you would add something like Prodibio Biodigest to the tank and let it establish in the canister, then add LR.

Sorry for all the ramblings.

 

[decent37]

I use a Rena 405 or something like that on a 55 g reef I dont know how you would put a heater in it but they do work

 

[ducklabdad]

I do use a canister filter on my 55 and on my seahorse tank. Also i am using an in line heater.

But I do not run anything in the canister filters except carbon and occasionally GFO. I do not run one on my nano.

One of the things I enjoy about the nano is the "absolute simplicity" of it without the big external filters, skimmer etc. Just fast and easy weekly water changes and I do run a carbon pad.

Sits on the bedroom dresser and we really do enjoy it.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I use a Rena Filstar xp3 on my 30 with the spray bar attachment, but also use a nanostream 6025 in the tank for more flow. The canister is where I run my carbon/chemipure/phosban. The inline heater is a good idea.

 

[damaris]

I run a Rena Xp1 on my 10 gallon nano. I usually run it empty, sometimes I add carbon for a few days. It's rated at 265 gph, so the flow coming out of the nozzle is pretty direct and causes great surface agitation. I had to deflect my flow with rockwork, also hides the return which is nice. Part of the reason for the canister was I wanted a clutter-free tank. The input/output are 98% hidden behind the rocks. I run the Hydor 200 watt inline heater. Yes, overkill for a 10 gallon but it keeps the temp perfectly within a few tenths of a degree.

I do have a Koralia nano tucked behind the rock wall, just for some extra flow in the back. I could have gotten a bigger Rena and split the return and had no powerheads. BUT...the Xp1 canister holds a gallon of water, which makes for easy water changes. Just unhook it, dump the water, rinse out the canister, add new water. No siphoning required (although about once a month a do siphon out for water changes to get debris off the bottom of the tank).

I think the Rena filters are really well made and easy to service. I guess if you were running it full of filter pads and stuff it would be hard to service. I know people always talk about canister's being nitrate factories. But if you don't run the bioball media, and rinse the thing out regularly, it's the cleanest filter around. How many people take their HOB filter off weekly and rinse all the crud out of the bottom?

And the Hydor heater is worth the money!

 

[2_zoa]

I think the Renas have a heater you can add on the intake. It is the pickup tube.