do I need a canister filter?

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by jack frost, Aug 31, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. jack frost

    jack frost Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    34
    I will be setting up a 180gal. with a 75 gal sump, protien skimmer in sump and pre filter pads. I was also going to put an FX5 in the tank. Is this needed?
     
    jack frost, Aug 31, 2011
    jack frost, Aug 31, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Hydronaut

    Hydronaut Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 2, 2011
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    North Cackalacky
    The short answer is no.
     
    Hydronaut, Aug 31, 2011
    Hydronaut, Aug 31, 2011
    #2
  3. jack frost

    jack frost Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    34

    haha, thanks for keeping it short and sweet and saving me 300$
     
    jack frost, Aug 31, 2011
    jack frost, Aug 31, 2011
    #3
  4. Hydronaut

    Hydronaut Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 2, 2011
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    North Cackalacky
    No problem. I'd suggest taking that $300 and investing it in either an EcoTech Vortech MP40 EcoSmart pump or a Neptune Apex Lite controller. You won't be disappointed.
     
    Hydronaut, Aug 31, 2011
    Hydronaut, Aug 31, 2011
    #4
  5. WhiskyTango

    WhiskyTango Eyelash Blennie

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2009
    Messages:
    1,267
    Location:
    Dothan, Al
    NO.

    You are 2/3's of the way to a much better filter than any canister could ever provide.

    Sump/protein skimmer/refugium is the what most folks would recommend.

    I run a 75g reef with a sump, LR rubble, chaeto refugium and a clay DSB under 5500k CFL.

    Very little maintenance.
     
    WhiskyTango, Aug 31, 2011
    WhiskyTango, Aug 31, 2011
    #5
  6. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Messages:
    5,958
    Location:
    Chesterfield, VA
    no I would either get more live rock,
    biopellets and reactor
    or a media reactor and some sort of media.
    or perhaps nice lighting if you want a reef.
    or a auto top off system.
    or some nice powerhead(a vortech would be the ferrari of powerheads).


    edit: or get a nicer skimmer
     
    sostoudt, Aug 31, 2011
    sostoudt, Aug 31, 2011
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Messages:
    5,958
    Location:
    Chesterfield, VA
    also you don't need a wet/dry.
     
    sostoudt, Aug 31, 2011
    sostoudt, Aug 31, 2011
    #7
  8. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,471
    If you want sensitive corals and/or Stony corals, you'll want to run carbon and GFO (or equivalent). You can run these in a canister filter, but reactors are better. I'd spend some of the money on some reactors.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    m2434, Aug 31, 2011
    m2434, Aug 31, 2011
    #8