Eheim Canister Filters

[Utopia]

I am currently changing my 110 freshwater tank into a saltwater reef aquarium. A problem I ran into was fitting a sump on to the tank as it is too close to the wall (and moving the tank would make the walkway in front of it too small to be feasible.) I have two 80gal rated Eheim canister filters that I wasn't too impressed with in my freshwater but I admittedly didn't clean them as often as I should and I didn't put any extra filter media in the canisters themselves besides the bio media they came with.

(I can get gph and what not when I get home. In class right now. I know, terrible student!)

Basically, I was wondering if anyone actually had any luck using canister filters on their reefs or if there are any horror stories that would scare me into figuring out a way to make a sump work on the aquarium.

Thanks for your time! :]

 

[THE ROOK]

If the bottom of the tank is not tempered, drill it & you'll be able to have a sump & still keep the tank against the wall.

 

[Utopia]

How would I know if my aquarium is tempered or not? (I know, noob question!)

Also thanks for the feedback. I'll have to find someone to do the drilling as I'm terrified that I'd destroy my own tank if I tried.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I've used an Eheim 2227 cannister on my reef tanks and now on a fish only. Works like a charm for fish only, but requires a lot of maintenance in the reef environment. It's a little too good at trapping detritus. For me, as with all my Eheims, I feel obligated to see how long I can run it until it dies. Currently at 8 years on the 2227 without any maintenance or cleaning of the pump whatsoever.

 

[Utopia]

Oh well that's a much better review than I ever expected to hear as far as canisters and reefs go! Besides having to clean it a lot (I'd be cleaning it about once per month anyways to switch out carbon) did you need to add a protein skimmer or did it do a good enough job without? I run my 90 gallon reef without a skimmer (and have noticed a lot of extra growth since!) but since this tank is being set up for my Harlequin Filefish (basically my baby) I want to make sure it can support the tank.