canister filters

M

mathwhiz

Guest
I have had no response to my previous thread about filters. Does anyone know much about canister filters - are they that much better and worth the money??? I need to get a new filter ASAP and trying to figure out the best way to go. Any help would be appreciated.
 
granny

granny

Member
Way back when I had a dozen or so tanks in my house, I ran canister filters on the Chesapeake Bay tank and the African Cichilid tank.
I like them because there is no bypass on your filter media and most have powerful pumps that move a lot of water and give you pretty decent water quality.
There are some negatives. Filter media does get clogged and its a little troublesome to break the canister down for cleaning, though I understand this job has become easier on the newer ones. For salt water, an open sump is a better option if you are able to go that way-primarily for oxygenation of your water which will exceed that of a closed canister.
Now, having said that, if you use a spray bar on your return from the canister, you will get great surface aeration and increased oxygenation. Was that any help at all???
 
wattsupdoc

wattsupdoc

Active Member
Great Info Granny!
I agree completly, allso I'll add that dont let anyone tell you that canister filters are obsolete, theyre not. They have a place and can be very good filtration for a tank . However, as Granny pointed out, the sump/fuge option is a waaaaay better one. if you can go that route, you should look into it. I run a canister filter on my 135, along with a 29 gallon fuge. I run a aquaclear HOB powerfliter on my 65, along with my 29 gallon ecosystem fuge. These just help to clean things up a little bit more, give me a good place to run media, as Granny stated, with no bypass, keep sponges etc. to ready the QT with.
BTW..I am happy with my Rena Xp4 canister filter.
 
M

mathwhiz

Guest
okay, we have been in this for about 3 years, as much as we have tried to educate ourselves in this I realize more and more there is still so much to learn. We have a 55 g. saltwater tank. If I get a canister filter, what is a spray bar? And I have heard of sumps, but do not know exactly what they are. Does a canister filter replace the filters hanging on the back of the tank? Would a sump replace that also? I have heard these cut down on the number of water changes required and help keep the tank cleaner. True? please help, we have put a lot of money into this hobby (more than we originally bargained for), we are trying to make wise decisions on taking care of the tank and don't mind spending some if we know it will pay off. We have come to enjoy this hobby and are proud of ourselves for what we have been able to learn thus far(mostly through trial and error)
 
M

mathwhiz

Guest
How much did you pay for your rena xp4? Did you purchase it online? I found one for $199 online, but have no idea how reputable the site is. As with Granny's recommendation, it did have a splash bar included. Is this an average price for one of these?
 
wattsupdoc

wattsupdoc

Active Member
I think I paid considerably less than that. Reasearch here on this site for sumps and fuges, you'll find tons of things on them here. I'll point you to the latest one I built.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/302092/125-gal-bench-stand-bilud/40#post_2475384
that give you an idea of where to start anyways. We can help you design one and set it up if you like. You'll be much happier with it, not that the canisters arent OK. But dont spend your money just yet.
BTW, Welcome to the boards!
 
M

mathwhiz

Guest
sorry to go against your advice, I was also in a bind and had to get something right away. One of the filters on the tank went out and I worried about my pets with only one filter going so I am in a time crunch as I don't want them to suffer - The one anemone has migrated towards the top of the tank attached to the glass on the side of the working filter. I did find a canister filter for $99 (a rena filstar) and should be here tomarrow I hope. I did try to compare as much as I had time to (prices, reviews, accessories, etc.) and from what I could tell - it seems to have a good reputation - guess I'll see (it does have a two year warranty which may me feel better about ordering it).
At the moment, the anemones seem okay - they shrivel and come back out a lot, but I was told that is normal. Sometimes they stay shriveled to point - I get nervous and ready to take them out, then they will bloom back out again. I'll keep you updated and if I figuere out how, I'll try to post a pic this weekend. just wondering, your location is from the Ozarks - do you live in northern Arkansas? There are not any SW hobbyist in this area that I know of. Thanks again for your time
 
wattsupdoc

wattsupdoc

Active Member
Dont be sorry!
My advise was intended to be just that advise. For you to decide what you want/need to do!
And I didnt think you did go against it!

Not in northern Arkansa, but in Southwest Mo. I do most my work and used to live in Kimberling City area. If your familiar with that area. I currently live in Ozark Mo. North of Branson, south of Springfield. Where exactly are you at?
I havent had any problems with my Rena, been running it for 1 year now. Just keep it clean. When you get the time/money look at doing a refugium,you'll be glad you did. I'd be glad to help you out with it, and would even build it for you if you arent comfortable with doing one yourself.
 
mie

mie

Active Member
I run a rena xp3 on my 75 gallon reef/aggresive and it does a good job, The downfall of a sump/fuge is another place for evaporation (this does suck). I put a small tupperware dish with a lid in my tank (hiding it behind the rocks) Its contents are sand, and a small clump of cheato, I drilled about twenty small holes in the dish. This allows for water flow and a safe place for pods to reproduce and escape into the tank and allow for the cheato to filter and absorb excess nutrients in the tank at the same time not going a sexual and growing every where in your tank. PRUNE YOUR CHEATO ONCE A MONTH.
 
M

mathwhiz

Guest
I got my canister filter set up and running well (At least it seems to be) It came with a splash bar - what direction is the holes of the splash bar supposed to be facing - out toward the tank, or facing down or up? Also do I need something else with this? It seems to input and output the water, but it is all underwater - are the fish getting enough oxygen? there are no bubbles or anything like the other filters seem to have.
 
M

mathwhiz

Guest
please tell me what sumps are and fuges? I keep reading about these and really don't know what they are or how expensive - are they needed?
 
reefmate75

reefmate75

Member
they are not needed but it keeps you from having your filters and heater/skimmer up top hanging on your tank being a eye sore
i use 2 canister filters on my sump/fuge and sence adding them they have really made my tank look clean!
so IMO they are not obsolete they work great for taking out particles
A sump is a tank that is under your DT where you have drains coming from the DT to the sump, you put your skimmer heater return pump filter median what ever you want in them pretty much
sorry this is the only pic i have of my old sump that i no longer use, you can only see the one end of it

 
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