Need to replace Canister Filter: Pitch it or recommendations

[ddavis4um]

I have a 72 gallon reef, lots of rock and sand (got "The Package" from Tampa Bay Salt water for the tank). I have always had a Fluval 403 on it an I am a bit tired of the biweekly maintanence and headache to get it going. Last night I broke a piece off that keeps the impeller in place. Fashioned it back on, but it is likely on its last leg.
I feel I need some kind of other filtration beyond the protein skimmer to trap large particles, and the Fluval tends to be full of debri when I go into it. I also have a UV filter in line with the Fluval.
As far as media, I only have a nitrate absorber- medium size rock that claims to reduce Nitrate to N2.
So... I am not sure what to get to replace it if I should get anything at all. Perhaps just a hang-on filter that I can monitor and service more readily. Perhaps a Magnum to "polish" the water. I go to many Marine sites and in their dry goods stores they do not even carry "filters" anymore. So, what is the best approach from here. I bet a lot of novice reefers are in the same place when their tanks are not drilled.

dpd

 

[Toadally1]

I don't think I would put any mechanical filter on it. Is this tank a reef set up? I also have a 72 that has been up for about five months. There is no mechanical filtration at all and the water stays crystal clear.

 

[ddavis4um]

Yes, it is reef.
Water quality is clear although I am having a bloom of nuisance algae this past week, perhaps due to silicates or overfeeding but that is another story.

dpd

 

[Carpentersreef]

If I were you, I would remove the Fluval, clean it, order the replacement part and store it away for future emergency use only. I used my Fluval403 for just that reason recently. I would leave the water cleaning to your LR and skimmer. Let the plancton circulate and don't give extra food particles a place to get trapped. Also, be sure to keep your livestock level low. HTH

 

[Anonymous]

When I picked up my used 100 gal, I got a Magnum 330 and a UV with it. I plan on using the magnum on my Hospital tank, maybe with or without the UV. I have to do more research on what medium to use in different situations.

HTH
b

 

[Anonymous]

All you need is a good skimmer. The gooder the better.

 

[auto_loader]

I figured that Fluval would have fixed that problem with the impeller cover with the 400 series. I had the same problem with my Fluval 303 when my tank was Fish Only and had to order replacement parts several times for the impeller cover. I removed it when I added a DSB and live rock.

Toadally is right, you should not need mechanical filtration with the live rock, Just a good skimmer. Especially with the live rock and sand bed.

I would remove the half of the filter media first and then remove the whole canister in a couple weeks. You will be a whole lot happier without having to hassle with the canister.