Whats wrong with canister filters?

[ravenx]

im going to set up a fowlr and live sand tank, with a sump and protein skimmer. Now some people say canister filters are bad, and some say they are good. I am planning to get two of the magnum 350 canister filters for my 180 gal. tank. I don't know if the magnum 350's use bio-balls or not, im just going to use whatever filers they come with. Here is a link which shows what the 350's come with. <a href="http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.html" target="_blank">http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.html</a> What do you guys think, is this a good idea to have?

 

[mpgt]

You can use canisters, but I'd strongly recommend Eheim or Fluval.

 

[ravenx]

really? whats wrong with magnums?

 

[ravenx]

ok now i read on a diff. forum that if you get enought LR, you won't need a canister filter. Is this true?

 

[jim27]

I use a HOT magnum canister on my 180 gallon for water polishing and I love it(I'd like to get another one). My sharks are very messy eaters so its very helpful to have. I think two magnums on a 180 would be great.
That statement is false. LR and magnum canisters provide two different kinds of filtration, mechanical(canisters) and biological(lr and ls). Both of which are important.

 

[mb4000]

The magnum 350 pro has biowheels and is a great filter. As with all filters though, if they are not cleaned regulary ( I clean mine monthly ) then gunk will build up in the filter and create excess bioload. Your rock will take care of biological filtration along with the biowheels. The filter itself is good for mechanical and chemical.

 

[ravenx]

JIM27, do you have a plenum set up in your 180 gal. tank?

 

[jim27]

no

 

[c_bell]

I use the Magnum 350 with bio wheels pro 60 on my 46 gal. bow. It works great I also have 45# of LR and 3" of LS.

 

[new]

i have a 75gl with a sump but i run a fluval 404 as a powerhead so that i can use it for mechanical or chemical filtration when the need arises.

 

[jakob4001]

it will depend whom you ask...some peops hate anything w/ biowheels or bioballs...I would think that w/ the sump, skimmer, LR, LS...you would not need cannister filters too...just about any mechanical stuff or chemical cleaning substrate like activated carbon you should be able to add to your sump