Canister filter and skimmer

[Hemlawk]

My friend and I recently have gone reef crazy. I ordered the Red Sea nano and have been reading as much as possible. My friend used to have a predator tank about 15 years ago, so he's knowledgeable but his info is outdated. He got a 36g with a canister filter and skimmer(hang on the back) . I see EVERYONE on here has a sump.
What sort of problems might he run into if any?

 

[40B Knasty]

Just less skimmate. Make sure the protein skimmer has a needle wheel or it is basically garbage. I have a Reef Octopus BH1000 HOB. Works great! BH2000 is the only other HOB that is better. More gph and air

 

[Waters]

With canister filters you just need to make sure they are kept clean. It is easy to forget since they are enclosed. If the media isn't changed and cleaned regularly, it is an easy way to build up nitrates. I am sure you already know the benefits of sumps (more total water volume, hiding equipment, easy maintenance, etc.) but canister filters can definitely be done. As 40B stated, HOB skimmers normally aren't as efficient but they still work.

 

[glb]

You can do HOB equipment, but sumps are a lot easier to work with and all the equipment is hidden in the stand. I just started a 40g setup with a sump, and it's so much easier than my 12g all-in-one to maintenance.