Tetra pond canister for reef

[coralmojo]

A question for anyone who spends more time under the tank than over it (like me)...I am trashing my Ocean Clear canister (with UV)...damn thing is now impossible to close/seal. I understand this has become a common complaint. Anyway, I am looking to set up an easier filter system--open, clean filters, close--plus one with a UV sterilizer in it. Anyway, I've got a 135 gallon Oceanic with 44 gallon sump.

I am actually looking at a Tetra pond canister with room for carbon (or other media). It has a backflushing outlet (could backflush/water change at same time).

Anybody have any experience with these?

 

[jerryz]

Not sure you're going to find a lot of canister filters on reef tanks. It's too easy for them to become nitrate factories.

 

[SPStoner]

The Tetra unit you are referring to is probably not a good idea for a marine system, reef or fish only. There are metal parts inside that come into contact with the water, which may or may not be stainless steel and could rust. The design itself, while good for a pond, is not ideal for aquaria. Canister filters in general tend to be good biological filters, i.e good at converting waste biologically to nitrate. This is not good for reef tanks. Also, the UV unit that is included in these units are not meant to function as a sterilizer. They are used to eliminate free floating algae cells in water (green water) which are much easier to kill than the parasites, bacteria, and protozoa that are typically targeted by a UV sterilization unit. The algae cells require much less contact time with the UV light source, which in the high flow environment of these units is ideal. To kill the organisms you would target in an aquarium, you would need much more dwell time, or exposure to the UV source, than would be practical with these units.


Hope that helps.


Tony

 

[125G Reefer]

Get a new O Ring for your Ocean Clear Canister. Thats all I did. Thats why it won't seal anymore.

 

[coralmojo]

All informative for me...thanks...

Tank was converted from prior setup...

Sounds like I should rethink modifications that need to be made...

Will check into O ring...thanks again for input!!