Hello I was wondering which is better. I have a 65 gallon tank fish only. I'm tying to figure out a way to reduce my nitrate. I have a Protein skimmer on it now with my original hob filter. Wondering if I should go with a protein skimmer and a reactor or try a canister filter. Thank you In advance
Protein skimmer vs canister
- Thread starter dromo2189
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Protein skimmer all the way. No need for a filter at all, but you can run one, just make sure you keep the filter media cleaned up so as to not become a nitrate factory.
Protein skimmer twice your tank volume.
Protein skimmer twice your tank volume.
A canister filter is more or less another type of reactor. I've ran a sumpless system before with a canister filter, its absolutely doable. I would leave your skimmer. What kind of skimmer is it? I would remove the HOB filter and replace it with an over sized canister filter. If you go this route, make sure you research how to make them efficient. Out of the box they're horrid; the media is junk, you'll want to replace it.
dromo2189
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It's a instant ocean one. I have to say I'm happy after two days it's collecting a good amount of waste. I just wasn't sure if I should get a reactor or what. I guess I can always try a canister and the skimmer.
Well first you'd need to make sure your tank can be drilled. The ghost overflows are bulletproof in my experience, so long as you set it up correctly, but they're a bit expensive. I would upgrade to a Reef Octopus HOB skimmer, they're not too expensive and work extremely well. I also recommend a Hydor canister; replace the ceramic rings for sintered glass media or something equivalent in value.
You need to decide if you want a sump or not, the gear is substantially different from HOB (hang on back) models vs submerged models. Again, check your tank for tempered glass so you know if you can even drill it. If you can't, the expense might be too much having to buy a brand new tank, overflow, sump, etc.
You need to decide if you want a sump or not, the gear is substantially different from HOB (hang on back) models vs submerged models. Again, check your tank for tempered glass so you know if you can even drill it. If you can't, the expense might be too much having to buy a brand new tank, overflow, sump, etc.
If you're trying to reduce nitrates and considering using a canister filter, be sure to properly maintain that canister filter... as in cleaning it out and rinsing all the sponges on a weekly basis. If not properly maintained, a lot of waste and detritus will build up and contribute to your nitrate problem, not fix it. This is precisely the reason why you see so few canister filters used on reef tanks.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/choosing-an-aquarium-overflow
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...-back-protein-skimmer-1.html#tab-full-details
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-cs50-with-lid-and-aqua-lifter.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...s_Nano_Skimmer-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSNS-vi.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_D..._Aquariums-Marine_Depot-MD8139-FIOFEB-vi.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...-back-protein-skimmer-1.html#tab-full-details
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-cs50-with-lid-and-aqua-lifter.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...s_Nano_Skimmer-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSNS-vi.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_D..._Aquariums-Marine_Depot-MD8139-FIOFEB-vi.html
I've shared this many times, but here it is again. I set my canister filter up this way and it worked to perfection. I cleaned mine bi weekly, replacing the felt padding completely. Also, here's a link to the media I use, I personally think it works as good, if not better, than marine pure and is much more durable and no worries of AL leaching (not even going to start that debate 
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GFO - granulated ferric oxide - it's a Phosphate reducing media that many people run on their reef tanks to help alleviate algae issues.
Was in your same boat a month or two back. I have a 65 gallon tank and used a canister filter for about 10 months before I realized it was the root of all my problems. Im not sure how well you are at cleaning, but I cleaned it probably 3 times throughout the year. Never thought anything of it, until I did my research and figured that it was literally holding everything inside of it, including the bad stuff. Since then I have taken it off my tank and have seen the best improvements I have since I started the tank over a year ago. Heres a picture to see what I was working with..
I am currently finishing up building a stand for my tank, where I will be adding a 40b sump underneath. My tank has already been started, so I couldn't risk drilling or anything like that, so I found the lifereef overflow and am going to be using that. Lifereef has had the same design in over 18 years, because the overflow just works. Constantly gets good reviews and I wouldn't rely on another pump to allow my tank to keep a siphon.
I am currently finishing up building a stand for my tank, where I will be adding a 40b sump underneath. My tank has already been started, so I couldn't risk drilling or anything like that, so I found the lifereef overflow and am going to be using that. Lifereef has had the same design in over 18 years, because the overflow just works. Constantly gets good reviews and I wouldn't rely on another pump to allow my tank to keep a siphon.
I mean no offense I promise, but this hobby absolutely demands devotion and attention. Cleaning anything on a reef tank only 3 times a year will almost certainly have negative results. Your failure wasn't the result of using a canister, it was the result of poor research and horrid routine maintenance.
A canister filter performs the same job as a filter sock. So, if you only change your filter socks 3 times a year; you would have the same end result.
My cannister filter became a nutrient sink. The material inside of it shouldn't be used in a reef tank. It was my lack of research combined with the pushyness of a lfs telling me I would need it to filter my tank. Not for nothing, but its pretty convincing considering I have a freshwater setup and it use a canister filter and requires probably less attention than I even gave the saltwater one. The reason canisters aren't common because they are not very accessible, plus they hold onto al the bad stuff. My canister did way more than a filter sock. It had 4 different types of media inside of it. All contributing to my algae problem I'd say. Like not for nothing, I have done absolutely nothing different with water changes, lighting or flow since removing the canister. There has been a world of difference in my tank visibly and biologically.
PatW
2500 Club Member
A canister filter is a physical filter. It can filter out small particles from he water. However, if you do not clean the filter regularly, the particles will degrade and release its nutrients.
A protein skimmer uses foam. Macromolecules and bacteria will adhere and be removed into the cup. There is no way that a physical filter can deal with things this small. Also, the stuff goes into the cup and is removed from the system. If you set it right, you can go a couple of weeks between cleanings. You can also use carbon dosing to stimulate bacterial growth. During growth bacteria incorporates phosphates and nitrates from the water. The skimmer removes them and you can export nutrients this way. The skimmer is a far superior system.
A protein skimmer uses foam. Macromolecules and bacteria will adhere and be removed into the cup. There is no way that a physical filter can deal with things this small. Also, the stuff goes into the cup and is removed from the system. If you set it right, you can go a couple of weeks between cleanings. You can also use carbon dosing to stimulate bacterial growth. During growth bacteria incorporates phosphates and nitrates from the water. The skimmer removes them and you can export nutrients this way. The skimmer is a far superior system.
