Cannister or no cannister?

I have been using a filster xp filter on my 55 for the last 11 months.

The 2x20ppi foam pads have never been changed just rinsed same with the 2x30ppi foam pads.

super Active carbon pouch is changed every 3 months along with the phos pouch.

20xceramic rings since tank started none never changed just rinsed.

1xmicro filtration pad changed every month.

My question is should i get rid of the 20ppi 30ppi foam filters and ceramic rings & and just keep the cannister running with live rock rubble,if so how is this different from the foams and ceramics, + run the carbon and phos?

I am battling cyano for the second time, i feed every other day once frozen block, lights are t5 6 months old, flow is directly aimed at sand as close as poss without making sand storm.

phos reads 0.03 or less, the nitrates read 5ppm.

I use ro water & have tested it and its perfect.

Bioload can be seen in my signature.

Thinking of using a med to treat the cyano but really do not want to, its just really starting to annoy me now after a few months.

Thanks...

 

use them!

 

i would change about 1/4 of the ceramic rings monthly if you want to keep them. if you have enough LR in the DT, you can just slowly take the rings out and replace with whatever you want.

 

I use Live Rock Rubble in one and Carbon in the other. I have 2 Eheim 2213s.

 

i really like kents nitrate sponge. that is what i replaced my ceramic rings with. nitrates are 0 and i am not religious with water changes

 

I don't use a cannister filter. Actually, my only filter is my skimmer. Only cyno I had was during initial cycle. I'm not sure if they're really needed.

 

When I first started I used the Rena XP3and always has nitrates till I got rid of it then the nitrates went to 0 very fast. They are not really necessary for a reef.

 

no they are not needed, but for some it is the only option without major aquarium overhaul