Adding a canister filter to my Reeftank

[something'sfishy]

I'm planning to add a canister filter to my 55 gal. uniquarium reef tank to suplement the filtration process. Currently I have the ff:
protein skimmer
wet/dry filtration (bio balls)
LR/LS
Do I need this? I went to this website and they don't recommend canister filter for a reef tank unless I clean the canister everyday? Is this true? Should I add it anyway?:jumping:

 

[golfish]

I use one for carbon only, I clean it out once a month..IME, there's no need for a canister filter unless your using it for carbon.

 

[jdm_ae86]

canister filters are good for running carbon in them, or other chemical media..i run mines w/ carbon for about a day every 2 weeks..

 

[ohiorn67]

I am not sure I agree. We have an eheim 2217....cannister, it is fantastic. No, I don't get night nitrates, even during my cycle, my nitrates never got past 10. We take the carbon piece out of it after the cycle, not necessary. Our tank looks terrific. The only other filtration we have is our skimmer remoraC pro...also have 2 powerheads....that cannister is the bomb because once a month it takes 20 min to clean off the sponge...then once every 6 months all you have to do is replace 1/2 substrate, some even say 1 year. So far we love it...clean, QUIET.

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by ohiorn67
No, I don't get night nitrates, even during my cycle, my nitrates never got past 10. We take the carbon piece out of it after the cycle, not necessary. Our tank looks terrific. The only other filtration we have is our skimmer remoraC pro...

Its not a matter of it being a bad thing. Something'sFishy asked if it was needed. If you have LR and or a DSB then a canister filter isn't needed at all, except for carbon, even then there are other ways to use carbon.
ohiorn67, If you have LR in your tank I'd bet you could remove the canister filter and see no change what so ever. Also, if you do have LR and or a DSB then you do have "other filtration" ....

 

[wax32]

I don't like anything that moves water thru a tube to someplace outside my tank. Always that outside chance of a clamp coming undone, especially on the return tube... emptying your tank.

 

[ohiorn67]

thanks for the info....did not mean to sound like I was telling him cannister better, sorry!! I love the cannister I have. I don't run any carbon, is this really necessary and for what? Just so I know. I don't worry about the connectors at all on this filter, they have double locks on intake and outgoing and are very very secure...can't even get it to drip when I unattach for a sponge cleaning.

 

[mkbigz]

i use a canister on my 29 for mechanical filtration and as a powerhead, clean once a week takes 5-10 minutes. and i don't have an ugly powerhead hanging in the tank.

 

[cre8or23]

we have the same size aquarium. 55 gallon. this is what i'm running as far as filtration. 100 lbs of live rock and the emporer bio wheel. thats it.
As far as cannister filters go and nitrates, its a myth. never had i had1 tank that i deal w/ on the regular running these cannisters have high levels of nitrates. but i may just be doing a good job.......lol

 

[hatessushi]

A 55 gallon Uniquarium has actually about 40 to 45 gallons and probably only 40 of that is used in the fish area. The the first section where the water overflows you should be able to us a few pads or sponge filters and under those put some carbon.
I have a 90 and measured a total 70 gallons 60 is in the usable area the rest is filtration.