Canister filtration for a reef aquarium

[Sophie"s mom]

Hello, a question, I just set up a 90 G tank and I am wanting to make it a reef aquarium with community fish. Currently have 45lbs. base rock, 30 lbs. live rock, 2.5" live sand, a Coralife 125 skimmer, Fluval 400 HOB filter, a UV sterilizer, and 2 Magnum 350 canister filters. Lights will be Hiparegro 100 watt LEDs. Lights are not on yet due to trying to avoid the "uglies" as much as possible. My question is, will this system sustain coral life/growth?

 

[FUNGI]

All HOB. 3 FX6 canisters and one large skimmer....short answer yes.

 

[afrokobe]

No one questions if cannisters can run a reef tank. They are just annoying to maintain and keep up. If you fail to keep up with the maintenance they can be a detritus trap

 

[FUNGI]

No one questions if cannisters can run a reef tank. They are just annoying to maintain and keep up. If you fail to keep up with the maintenance they can be a detritus trap

As can sumps....its all about proper routine maintenance.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

They can, but they can just become nitrate factories as well...

 

[MnFish1]

No one questions if cannisters can run a reef tank. They are just annoying to maintain and keep up. If you fail to keep up with the maintenance they can be a detritus trap

However - lets pretend you have a sump - and do no water changes - where does 'the detritus go'?

 

[FUNGI]

They can, but they can just become nitrate factories as well...

So what happens if you dont clean out your socks...?

Anyway, OP got the answer.....

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Okay, so I do understand both views on the question, so, the canister that the UV runs thru just have a bio wheel type filter in it for biological filtration, and the other has some filter floss, a bag with some ceramic bio balls and a sponge, how often should I break these down and clean them? Weekly? Monthly? I also perform 10% water changes every other week.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

I run an FX4 canister on my 90 gal reef and have no issues at all.

Maintenance hasn’t been bad for me. Only need to clean it every 4-6 months.

I’m also bad at overfeeding. No probs with nitrates either. (Please don’t ask me about my phosphate levels tho LOL)

 

[FUNGI]

Okay, so I do understand both views on the question, so, the canister that the UV runs thru just have a bio wheel type filter in it for biological filtration, and the other has some filter floss, a bag with some ceramic bio balls and a sponge, how often should I break these down and clean them? Weekly? Monthly? I also perform 10% water changes every other week.

Clean every other month (depends on feeding and bioload), use NSW (or old form tank)....IMO water changes are more important.

 

[MnFish1]

Okay, so I do understand both views on the question, so, the canister that the UV runs thru just have a bio wheel type filter in it for biological filtration, and the other has some filter floss, a bag with some ceramic bio balls and a sponge, how often should I break these down and clean them? Weekly? Monthly? I also perform 10% water changes every other week.

No. There is not need for a biowheel. IMHO. There is no 'filter floss' in Fluval F5-6. (Don't know about the rest). IMHO - the comment about no 'biologic filtration' was misguided with regards to canister filters. You can use a fluval filter for your tank. The best solution would be a below the tank sump - but there is nothing special/wrong with fluval.

 

[twentyleagues]

Cans are a pain to deal with imo. Sumps are easier to maintain and you can have less " junk" in the tank. But, A canister filter will work on a reef tank without issue.