canister filters

[Joe parrish]

Any reason out there I should consider a canister filter.

My last and only tank had a sump with bio balls

I think I am going to go with a sump with socks I just see a lot of people local selling salt water tanks with canister filters

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, welcome to R2R.

Some have successfully used canister filters, but I would stay away from them. You need to do weekly maintenance to keep them producing clean water. Sumps have the flexibility to add or remove equipment as needed. Stick with a sump.

 

[ReeferBob]

I recently started using a Fluval 105 that I had laying around. I needed some sort of mechanical filtration as I do not run filter socks on my drains. I try to clean it weekly. Canisters are a PITA to restart though. If you keep up with water changes and siphon out ditreous you should be ok without any real mechanical filtration. But now with the Fluval running I just stir up the tank a bit and let the filter do its job. I run it with the 4 sponges and one of the compartments I put active carbon. So far it has been doing a good job.

 

[Humblefish]

Canister filter is fine for a fish only or a seahorse tank with gorgonians. But if you plan on keeping corals, the canister will eventually turn into a detritus trap which will fuel nitrates. Unless you clean the thing weekly (a PITA).