Canister filters?

[rustypixel]

I'm curious to know why most of those starting nano reefs are using primarily hang-on filters instead of canister filters. I have a 10 gal. and I'm using a Rena X1 and love it. I use the canister for water flow and for my GAC and mechanical filtration. I would figure that there is also less (or no, in my case) salt creep from the water splashing at the return point on a hang-on. What's everyone's opinions on canister filtration?

 

[stewie24]

Canister filters can be a nitrate trap sometimes.
They are harder to clean for one. Also you'd have to throttle back the flow of the canister for your tank size. (I own but don't use anymore the xp2 - had it on a 29 g fw tank).

Thanks about it. I think its just everyone's personal preferences.
Stewie

 

[BillbMaine]

I use a Fluval 304. It's one I had for a larger tank but now have on my 10 gallon. It was just cheaper to do than to buy something different. I have heard pros and cons about using a canister. I clean mine on a regular basis so I doubt it's a nitrate trap. Some people get careless and then the problems develop. I like the way a canister pushes water through compartments. I like to run carbon and the canister is a great way to do it. The downfall of a canister in my opinion is no oxygenation...being a closed system. I run my outflow close to the top of the tank, breaking the water surface and creating a bubble stream. On the opposing corner of the tank I run a Maxi-jet, (600, smallest I own..) and have quite a heavy flow in my tank. I'm really not sure if this is the best way, but for the time there are no fish in the tank...just a few critters and corals and all seems well. I'm really not sure if I'd rate a canister filter over any other type, I would just say they are different and the care is different. Good results comes with being attentive to any type of system I would say...

Cheers,

Bill

 

[timschmidt]

HOB are normally cheaper and you can mod a refuge into the ACs quite nicely. That's why I'd choose a HOB over canister.

Tim

 

[midknight]

I am using the XP2 on my 33 also and I have no problem. I am going to build a small internal overflow box and stick the XP2 intake hose in that (until I can build my 3000 gallon dream tank). Was also going to remove the "stars" from the center and replace it with some filter feeders that don't need any light, like maybe Hammer oysters or some thing. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Brooks_McClary]

I am using a Fluval 204 on my 20 gal reef for flow and a place to stick my GAC where it will get good flow. I personally dont like mechanical filtration. I have taken out all the foam except for one small piece in the compartment below the GAC just to keep some of the gunk from clogging it too fast. I also have the rings for mechanically filtering out the biggest chunks. I clean the whole thing every other week and run GAC 2 weeks then none for two weeks. It provides good flow and I am happy with it. Remember though that out of site is NOT out of the water column (he he he, a fishy joke) What you cant see CAN hurt you. Dont forget the filter is there and forget to clean it. Also, your filter's flow can be pretty good when it is really gunked up. Don't assume that if there is water going through it that it is clean! Make a schedule and stick to it, no matter what.

 

[vest0830]

I used a canister filter on my old 38 gal and it was alright once I got rid of the "sock". The sock was the nitrate trap. The canister filter along with lots of LR and a skimmer....

 

[flameangel88]

I'm using a Eheim canister filter that have EHFIMECH, EHFISUBSTRAT as filter media (also a bab of Chemi-pure and Phops-sorp and a Poly Bio pad) and would you consider that as nitrate trap that I should replace with LRs? Thanks.

 

[FishMachine]

xp3 on my old 10 gallon. I know it was to big but the tank was clean and had a lot of flow.

 

[rppvt]

i've got two 404s on my 25 gallon-- they're running in tandem through a 55gal plastic barrel in the closet. I've got them both packed with live rock and the settling out action in the 55 makes for a nice clean return. I know there are some interesting things growing in there, but water swings happen far less often and the corals seem to like the 3/4 inch flow from the return.