Do I still need my canister filter?

[chshwong]

I'm converting my 30-gallon tank from fresh to saltwater, almost done cycling.
It's meant to be fish with live rocks.
There are currently 40 pounds of live rocks with about 30 lbs of live sand.
I read that if I have live rocks, and a protein skimmer, I should remove my canister filter.
Is that true?
I have removed all media from the canister filter, and kept washing the sponge to prevent beneficial bacterial from building there during the cycling, so it's just meant for mechanical filtration. I won't wash it as much once it's cycled.
So is it true that if I get a decent protein skimmer, with my live rocks, I should remove my canister filter?
How do i remove large debris without it?
Thank you experts!

 

[mr.ace]

I've got a 55Gal with a good amount of live stock and I only run a skimmer. I just make sure that I have good water flow so my sand stays clean and a good amount of hermits/snails. I haven't had a problem yet. My skimmer is rather large though, could run a 175 Gal.

 

[small triggers]

truthfully there is no such thing as too much filtration, i would keep it if you dont have a sump or fuge,, and stop washing it,,, just because it is running and you are using it as mechanical filtration why would you kill the beneficial bacteria that are helping your cycle??? I dont see a point to that...
Are you running anything else??? any powerheads, HOB filters?? what is a complete list of equipment you will be running for this tank and what do you plan to keep in it? If its only a few small non-messy fish, than no you dont have to use the canister if you have a good HOB, skimmer and do lots of water changes,,, but again no such thing as too much filtration...

 

[meowzer]

I use 2 canisters on my 225G along with a refugium/sump
I run nothing in the canisters (well I have ceramic rings) I use them strictly for flow.....I have a spray bar on each one (one on each end) that moves the water on top....

 

[geoj]

The protein skimmer can do most of the mechanical filtration.