Using a canister filter on my 40 gallon breeder?

[robert125381]

Is there a reason I don't see many people using canister filters on their reef tanks?

 

[MrHyde]

They're just kind of a PITA to maintain. They can be used to run chemical filters such as GFO or GAC in, but anything other than that should really be cleaned on a regular basis.

 

[heathlindner25]

I would skip it and get a hob skimmer.

 

[billdogg]

I used a canister on my 60g cube for 22 years. It was filled with carbon and live rock rubble. As mentioned, the downside is that it is a PIA to clean as often as it should be and so gets put off.

 

[robert125381]

how often do they need to be cleaned?

 

[Diana A]

I run a FX6 canister on my 100 gallon with a skimmer. I clean it 2 times a month, and 20% water change.

 

[zeemofree]

You can use one for a dark refugiium/ media reactor

 

[fishchef]

I ran a FX5 on a 125 MR. Without a sump it needed a good deal of flow, which the canister provided. The system did have a skimmer. Yes, the canister needed cleaning at least once a month. The nitrates ran about 12.5/25 ppm. Could of used a larger or better skimmer which would of helped.

 

[davefromdc]

Yes I use a FX6 on a 75 gal with no issues. I clean it monthly during WC. keep marine pure biomedia in it and thats it.

 

[DePinchGonze]

Depends on what you want to put in your reef tank, IMHO. The FX6 can provide alot of circulation, but nothing beets high flow over/through biological filtration with a good skimmer. "The notion is the motion of the ocean "

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I use a canister on my 60g tank. I wish I had a sump, but my tank isn't reef ready, so I'm dealing with cleaning my canister every other week. With carbon dosing, I can get my nitrates/phosphates down to near undetectable along with a decent HOB skimmer. From start to finish, it does take me about 30-40 minutes to clean the canister, and it can be messy. Water inevitably drips everywhere and the wife can't stand it.