View Full Version : Why are canister filters not used in marine fitration.
goldfish freak
12-05-2002, 8:47 PM
I know little about marine fish, but I have always wondered why canister filters or not considered good fiters for filtering marine water. Can some give me some insight on this?
SpongeBob
12-05-2002, 10:49 PM
In general, they just collect gunk and hold it. You want bio processes (Live Rock and a Deep Sand Bed) to break that gunk down, not just hold it.
slipknottin
12-06-2002, 12:48 PM
its not just canisters... all filters that trap particles are not good for SW tanks because they will result in higher nitrate and phosphate levels, both of which are harmful to marine life.
goldfish freak
12-06-2002, 1:19 PM
Thanks for the replies. What is considered a highly effective form of filtration then? Thanks.
BrianH
12-06-2002, 11:39 PM
I use an eheim 2217 on my 50gal reef. I actually use it as a glorified pump. It only contains about 10lbs of base rock. I do not use any of the canister filter media as this would create nitrates. I only use the canister because it was leftover from a FW set up and I do not have a sump. It also comes in handy when you want to use chemicals(carbon, phosphate pad).
Brian
slipknottin
12-06-2002, 11:41 PM
the most effective filtration will be Live Rock and a deep sand bed, 4"-6" deep.
goldfish freak
12-07-2002, 7:00 PM
Thanks for the reply Slip. How difficult is it to keep live rock and a DSB? Can it be sucessfully done with a puffer?
MonoSebaelover
12-08-2002, 11:50 AM
It will be useless with a puffer. Puffers and triggers will blow water at it to get the things that keep a sand bed alive. What I did with my 209 is a aragonite bed of about 2.5inches to keep a wrasse of some sort someday. There will be a puffer and two triggers in the tank. Triggers and puffers also pick at the live rock making it not so interesting. Are you thinking of your little green spot puffer?
goldfish freak
12-08-2002, 2:58 PM
MonoSebaelover, yes I am thinking about using live rock and maybe a DSB with my green spotted puffer and my monos. Would at least the live rock work as effective filtration?
slipknottin
12-08-2002, 3:36 PM
are you going to use a sump?
if you are you could setup a DSB in the sump. add a little light and harvest some macroalgaes also.
goldfish freak
12-08-2002, 4:34 PM
I am considering using a sump, but would I need to buy a predrilled model of tank or can I have it drilled when I buy it? If I were to have it drilled, who does it, is it the manufacturer of the tank or someone else?
It would be cheaper and safer to buy the tank pre-drilled.
Glass shops, and some lfs, will drill glass but it'll cost you extra and they usually don't guarantee that they won't break your tank.
SpongeBob
12-09-2002, 9:48 PM
I agree. I found this site (reasonably priced diamond bits) and almost decided to try it myself...
http://www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com/Diamond-Drill/MAIN.htm
a_free_bird73
12-10-2002, 3:04 AM
There is another issue with canister filters and that is they were never designed for salt water use. Some people do use them as pumps but be aware that depending on the construction they may not survive as long as they would in fresh water...
With some brands, the salt will wear the seals and/or you will have problems sealing the unit as it gets older. You also need to make sure that the propeller rod is ceramic not stainless steel as many of them are....