Right now I have an Aqua Clear 30 power filter going on my 20 gallon long tank, but wanted to get a Fluval 205 for it. I asked one of my friends that has been doing salt for years and said its a bad idea because they have a hight change of causing a nitrate boom. Is this true? And if not, would it warrant upgrading over my Power Filter?
I hear its bad to use a Canister Filter for a reef tank?
- Thread starter CHOX
- Start date
I have used canisters for my SWFO tank and I didn't have any problems...I don't think its recommended to use in a reef tank..it would be best if you use "salt water acclimatized" mangrove plants or chaetomorpha...(I don't know the right spelling..
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)If you're looking at a low fish load in a reef tank then no worries. But, with a high fish load you're better off with a berlin system (live rock, top notch protein skimmer, HID lighting, water changes) or a wet/dry (with the understanding that any inverts could suffer from excess nitrates). Reverse daylight photosynthesis, Algae refugiums, and algae turf scrubbers all require a sump or separate tank.
Just choose what's more important to you. A couple fish and some nice live rock with good lighting and you'll be fine with the canister filter (mainly for mechanical filtration).
Just choose what's more important to you. A couple fish and some nice live rock with good lighting and you'll be fine with the canister filter (mainly for mechanical filtration).
Thats the thing, I'm not too sure what I want to do with fish. Mainly I just want this to be reef and invertebrates, but I would like some fish, I just don't know how many. And at the moment I'm not using a skimmer, I have a Prizm but after a couple of days it overflows, I need to keep tweaking with it, but its pissing me off.
Well I don't understand the reasoning for asking the question if you got your answer from a trusted friend that has been in the hobby for quite some time. Why do you feel that they would give you bad advice?
Yes what he stated is true.
What I think you need to currently do is take a couple of steps back and go back to step 1.
Do your research. You do not have an idea on what you want to accomplish, and I feel that right now would not be the time to get ahead of yourself.
SW tanks need planning. Regardless on what you want whether it be FO or a reef system. Your indecisiveness in your plans shows that you are trying to accomplish something that you are not ready for.
That is my .02 take it for what it is.
Yes what he stated is true.
What I think you need to currently do is take a couple of steps back and go back to step 1.
Do your research. You do not have an idea on what you want to accomplish, and I feel that right now would not be the time to get ahead of yourself.
SW tanks need planning. Regardless on what you want whether it be FO or a reef system. Your indecisiveness in your plans shows that you are trying to accomplish something that you are not ready for.
That is my .02 take it for what it is.
if you keep them clean, which is often considering how much crap is in most SW tanks and how efficient canisters are, they are fine
its the fact that most people dont want to clean filter media every 3 days or so that makes them bad.. there's nothing wrong with them, they are just inconvenient
its the fact that most people dont want to clean filter media every 3 days or so that makes them bad.. there's nothing wrong with them, they are just inconvenient
I'll just stick with the filter I have right now, it works well, I just wanted to see if you guys had any alternate opinions, and it looks like you guys did. Thanks for the help.