Do I need a canister filter?

[jayghmi]

I have a 46 bow with about 60 lbs of live rock (a guess), 80 lbs of live sand,a remora c protein skimmer, 3 power heads and a low bio load with an ever growing list of soft corals. My tank is not drilled.

I was thinking of adding a canister filter. I went to Marine Depot and see that they only have a couple hundred to choose from (slight exaggeration).

Do I need one and if so any recommendations.

Thanks, Jay

[fsn77]

I don't see much of a reason to add a canister filter, unless you're looking for supplemental filtration and a little extra flow. Personally, I don't run one on our reef tank, nor do I think they are particularly necessary for most people, unless you consider it your best option for running carbon / phosphate remover /other specialty media, or need some extra mechanical filtration to remove detritus from the water.

[Reefscape]

I agree with FSN...really dont see a need for one on a marine system where live rock is the filteration of the tank...

Niko

[jayghmi]

Thanks for the reply. As soon as I posted I recalled my conversation many months ago with Niko, which is the reason I removed my hang on the back filter.

Thanks, Jay

[boggs]

This helps. Good question.:)