Canaster filters or not. you tell me.

[harryball69]

I have a 46gal tank with a marineland c-360 canaster 4 stage. I use chemi-pure. it has trays for ceramic and plastic bio-balls and a sponge at the bottom. as well a filter pad. Ive read that these are not the best choice for reef tanks. I figured more bio filtering would be better is this not so ?

 

[Mike J.]

There's many ways to run a saltwater tank. Some people successfully use canister filters. Generally though, it is not considered the best way.

 

[Fatmike92]

I used a canister filter for a year on my first saltwater tank because I had no idea what or how to do a drilled tank.

So I used a FX5 on a 75 gallon and it was perfectly fine. All I had in the canister was chemi pure elite. And the filter pads

So if you can or want to do a drilled tank go for it!

But if not a canister filter is perfectly fine. Just male sure to clean it out a good bit

 

[kyle1284]

WAYYYYYY back in the day i used 2 fuvual 305 canister filters. it worked well for softies, Z's&P's and LPS. i had trouble keeping SPS becasue of the build up in decaying organic matter from the sponge filters. It can be done just have to clean the them often (i cleaned mine every 2 weeks)

 

[dwolson2]

They are detritus traps, more harm than good imho

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I think it all depends on you. They can be detritus factors if they are not properly maintained. They can be useful if taken care of. I have a canister filter on my 55 reef along with a HOB fuge and skimmer. My tank is doing pretty well and I currently do not have any algae issues.

 

[Dana]

yeah it all depends on how often you clean them. at least once a week. most people stay away because tearing apart the canister filter every week for cleaning is just a pita

 

[Reefing Madness]

Canister filter, use it for GFO or Chemipure Elite or Purigen. That type of stuff, but not used as a garbage catcher.

 

[jonny]

Ive always run one just for the sake of that little extra water volume and to run carbon..probably not the best way to look at it but i have no algae problems and i do have a few SPS..different results for different setups/needs i suppose..


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[46gReef]

I've always run one on my reefs, I currently have a 46 g bowfront & I run a HOB magnum with no issues. I do agree that they should be cleaned no less than every 2 weeks.

 

[AZDesertRat]

For a fish only system canisters are great but not so for a reef. They also flow too fast to be good for GFO and similar medias which require low flows or velocity or it pulverizes the media.