Emperior 400 or XP3 Canister filter

[goldmullet]

Right now I have a 36 gallon salt water fish only tank. I have a Aqueon 30 power filter but I want to upgrade to a new filter. Should I go with the Marine land Emperior 400 power filter or the Rena XP3 canister filter.

Thanks so much.

 

[dzfish17]

I would invest in a good skimmer and forgo the others. Do you have LR for biological filtration?

 

[goldmullet]

I currently have a CPR Bak Pak 2 protein skimmer already.

 

[goldmullet]

Yes I also have about 30 pounds of live rock.

 

[Greedo]

just get a power head for circulation imo.

 

[goldmullet]

I have a Hydor koralia 750 powerhead already.

 

[dzfish17]

With the LR for biological filtration and the skimmer for mechanical filtration you should be fine. If you had a big tank with heavy poopers than a canister filter would be beneficial. I think your tank is good to go.

 

[goldmullet]

What if I want to put lots of fish in my 36 gallon. Will that help with a canister filter?

 

[125G Reefer]

No need really for a canister filter. Maybe a few more lbs of LR and your all set.

 

[goldmullet]

My water now though seems like it has particles in it and it's been
Hard to maintain my nitrates. I have heard a canister filter will help that.

 

[dzfish17]

How many fish do you have right now?

 

[BrklynArch]

I run an eheim 2213 on my 10g nano....it boosts circulation, and does a pretty good job at polishing the water. But it has to be cleaned about once very 2 weeks or so.

 

[waqas]

i would go with the xp3, n yes it will help the system AS LONG AS U KEEP THE SPONGE CLEAN not doing so will cause even more prob, u prob know this but lighten ur fish load n i would also place carbon in the canister filter , lots of rena stars (it doesn't come with enough) good luck

 

[goldmullet]

Right now I only have 5 small chromis and 2 clownfish. But I want to get some bigger fish like Tangs.

 

[goldmullet]

So if I keep it clean the a canister is a good way to go right? Here is a picture of my tank so you can see all my live rock, is that enough live rock?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148203&d=1304987751

 

[goldmullet]

This one works

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2017500

 

[125G Reefer]

So if I keep it clean the a canister is a good way to go right? Here is a picture of my tank so you can see all my live rock, is that enough live rock?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148203&d=1304987751

At least 1.5 lbs per gallon. Looks as if you have enough live rock. but really, your talkin to a guy who has trates over 200, and one of the reasons is the crappy ole canister filter. Try googling Vodka Dosing if your worried about your trates. But again, jmo.