Will Canister filters remove helpful bacteria?
- Thread starter shane33
- Start date
shane33
New Member
I am planning on starting a Fish with live rock...While I am in the planning stage, I want to incorporate the ability to expand in the future. I have all of my filtration bought. Two Canister Filters and an Emperor 400. Since I purchased the aformentioned, I have had several folks say a sump with a Refuge system is better than the canister filtes for my mech filters.
My poorle stated question was aimed at why are sumps/fuge systems better than Canister filters. Is it because of the maintenance that is required with the other filters? I can see that not having any mechanical filters could be an advantage, but seems very challenging for a beginner like myself.
I have also read where people use canister filters for reef systems too.
Basically, I want to stick with my original set-up if I want to expand in the future. Before I bury the rest of my body in the sand, I want to make sure it's in the perfet spot. :thinking:
My poorle stated question was aimed at why are sumps/fuge systems better than Canister filters. Is it because of the maintenance that is required with the other filters? I can see that not having any mechanical filters could be an advantage, but seems very challenging for a beginner like myself.
I have also read where people use canister filters for reef systems too.
Basically, I want to stick with my original set-up if I want to expand in the future. Before I bury the rest of my body in the sand, I want to make sure it's in the perfet spot. :thinking:
hurt
Active Member
I have had several folks say a sump with a Refuge system is better than the canister filtes for my mech filters.
Amen to that, IMO I would never use a canister on a reef!
They need to be cleaned daily if you do not wish to add nitrates to your system, and they do not increase D.O. levels in your tank.
why are sumps/fuge systems better than Canister filters
Natural vs artificial.
For filtration in a reef, I use alot of LR, LS, and Macros. Also, incorporate alot of random flow and you will be set
dogstar
Active Member
helpful bacteria......
Thats the key to a reef of even FO. A canister gives no surface area for it to live and do its job. Bio balls in a sump allows alot of area for the bactiria to grow.
Canister are good to have on hand to run carbon temperarly to do a water polish or removes toxins if that happens
Thats the key to a reef of even FO. A canister gives no surface area for it to live and do its job. Bio balls in a sump allows alot of area for the bactiria to grow.
Canister are good to have on hand to run carbon temperarly to do a water polish or removes toxins if that happens
hurt
Active Member
Bio balls in a sump allows alot of area for the bactiria to grow.
I'm not doutbing that, but if you have enough LR you have no need for Plastic Balls. If not properly cleaned you will create nitrates.
Canister are good to have on hand to run carbon temperarly
That is about the only thing a canister is good for. Too bad there is no gas exchange in a canister? That what HOB's do.
I'm not doutbing that, but if you have enough LR you have no need for Plastic Balls. If not properly cleaned you will create nitrates.
Canister are good to have on hand to run carbon temperarly
That is about the only thing a canister is good for. Too bad there is no gas exchange in a canister? That what HOB's do.
airforceb2
Active Member
I have a canister and my nitrates are reading between 0 and 5. I have a Cascade 1500 with 4 shelves of LR rubble and a shelf of floss. I occasionally put a bag of carbon on top of the floss if the water gets murky. It also adds about 5 gallons of water to the volume of the tank too. I'm not saying I would use a canister over a sump but with my tank/stand, there is no room for a sump.
hurt
Active Member
I have a Cascade 1500 with 4 shelves of LR rubble and a shelf of floss.
So why did you pay an extra 50 bucks for a canister when a HOB would do the same thing, but also increase DO levels-unlike a canister. I just don't understand why people run canisters on a reef? Could you explain the benifits of canister over a HOB on a reef. Also, do you clean your canister weekly, and also run a fuge?
So why did you pay an extra 50 bucks for a canister when a HOB would do the same thing, but also increase DO levels-unlike a canister. I just don't understand why people run canisters on a reef? Could you explain the benifits of canister over a HOB on a reef. Also, do you clean your canister weekly, and also run a fuge?
devildog01
Member
Sorry to hijack this, but Hurt, could you check out my 150 gallon thread? I have few questions...
airforceb2
Active Member
Like I stated...I can't run a fuge with my tank. It is impossible without punching holes in walls of the house I don't own. I didn't want a HOB because they are a little noisier and are very unattractive. Also, I got my filter for $40 shipped.
devildog01
Member
What do you mean "punching holes?" You shouldnt have to punch any holes in your tank to make a fuge... :notsure:
airforceb2
Active Member
I have nowhere to put the fuge.
devildog01
Member
What about next to the tank? That is what Reefnut does...
hurt
Active Member
That is cheap for a canister-$40 bucks with shipping. Also, how is a canister any more silent than an HOB. As already stated, canisters are deficient in gas exchange, and I am very surprised your nitrates are 0-5, unless you clean it daily. So you run floss in your canister, how often do you change the nitrate factory? I have seen first hand what canisters will do to nitrates in a reef- luckily on my friends tank. Then I finally convinced him to get rid of it and his nitrates dropped from 15-20 to 0-3ppm.
ezee
Member
Shane33,
Another reason you may want to have a sump over a canister is because it increases your water volume, helping your tank be more stable. I really like that I can hide my other equipment in the sump, too!
DevilDog01,
I think he was talking about punching holes in his wall, not his tank. LOL!
E
Another reason you may want to have a sump over a canister is because it increases your water volume, helping your tank be more stable. I really like that I can hide my other equipment in the sump, too!
DevilDog01,
I think he was talking about punching holes in his wall, not his tank. LOL!
E
devildog01
Member
I know, but why would he have to punch holes in the wall? lol...its late for me. I am a retard this late at night...I am not thinking straight...
devildog01
Member
O-whoops, I didnt write that post right, I meant holes in wall, not holes in tank...
airforceb2
Active Member
I have a 2 year old boy and the tank is on a 49" long wall. It fits perfectly with no room to spare. I looked into the HOB fuge's but they stick out too far...I don't feel like draining the tank to move it out from the wall.