Canister filter for reef tank

[ZigZagZombie]

Would it hurt to use one. Or is it not wise to???

 

[Anonymous]

IMO canister filters do not have high enough flow rates AND they are nitrate factories unless cleaned weekly or bi-weekly. Plus the sponges have a tendency to become bacterial havens,almost like a wet/dry filter. They also wind up with copious amounts of detrius inside. The nitrate is released from the detrius back into the tank.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Would this be why i can't beat my small alge problem?? I plan on taking it off and just put another powerhead in. But will the tank stay just as clear??

 

[D-Nak]

From what I've seen, the only real use for canister filters on reef tanks is to remove some yellowing from the water. This is done by filling a nylon bag (or other means of containing the carbon) with the carbon and placing it in your canister filter and run it for about a day, and then remove the filter from the system. Leave it on too long and it will start removing trace elements and other things you want to keep in your water. Besides that, if you forget about taking it off you start running into the problems mentioned above.

D-Nak

 

[dmm32]

Hi,

I would try to stay away from them, have had only bad thing come from them with salt water.

David

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Thanks guys for your opinions. I'll take it off and put another powerhead in. Now about those sand critters....Since i only have about 40lbs. of LR in my 70 gal. tank i will need to add some more slowly. Will this extra rock supply enough sand critters???

 

[Anonymous]

You may experience an algae bloom due to the loss of the filter and the bacteria housed inside. But IMO you will have less algae/diatom problems in the future.

Do you run a skimmer?

A skimmer will help with clarity. And so will detrivore kits with worms and pods.

Do you have a refugium?

This will eat the DOCs and will also house those pods and worms.

The added flow will help make up for the flow from the canister filter. Try to increase the flowrate. Algae and cyano prefer stagnant areas were the DOCs remain and can continually feed them.

Good luck,

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Yes i have a skimmer. But i don't have a refugium. I would like to make a small portion of my 10 gal. sump into one. Just don't know how i would set it up. As for the worms...I would think i have some from the live rock iv'e been adding. Never thought about getting any.

 

[Groucho]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ANEMONEBUFF:
<strong>IMO canister filters do not have high enough flow rates AND they are nitrate factories unless cleaned weekly or bi-weekly. Plus the sponges have a tendency to become bacterial havens,almost like a wet/dry filter. They also wind up with copious amounts of detrius inside. The nitrate is released from the detrius back into the tank.</strong><hr></blockquote>

 

[Groucho]

OOOps. Sorry about that.

Why would a canister be a nitrate factory?

 

[Anonymous]

Canister filters harbour detrius in the sponges and also settle at the bottom. Nitrates/phosphates are then released back into the system,unless they are cleaned out often. Plus,the sponges become aerobic,harbouring oxygen loving bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. The process ends there. Your nitrates will then skyrocket,negatively impacting your specimens.

Another drawback to canister filters is that they have their bacteria populations die off very quickly in the event of a power outtage. When the power comes back on the dead bacteria can foul a tank killing some or all of it's inhabitatants.