why shouldnt i use a canister filter?

[xmikebrock]

ive done a lot of research and talked to a lot of people
that have used canister filters in their saltwater tanks

[LilGreenPuffer]

Well, what reasons have you been given not to? What's the background of your question?

[Jase]

They work fine with rubble, but for mechanical (is that the correct kind?) filtration you need to clean the media more often than it is worth...

[Idontknow]

After getting some advice from people from this forum, I filled mine with live rock rubble, ceramic, and charcoal. I was advised to take out the sponge and cotton filter media out because the sponge will need to be cleaned weekly and the cotton filter replaced weekly otherwise it will become a nitrate factory.

I would not use the canister as the main filtration. Used this way, it is more like extra filtration. Live rock in your tank plus protein skimmer is the best.

[xmikebrock]

yeah, it was just people telling me here, that it was a nitrate factory

but, why are the nitrates made only in the cotton

and the filter i have there is no cotton lol
it is 2 plastic or rubber (whatever it is) layers

one thicker and one open
then it goes to a bioballs

[Jase]

I'm pretty sure it's because they trap the organic mater that the skimmer should be removing, and just convert it to nitrate. the more waste that gets trapped, the more bacteria forms to turn it to nitrate, and before you know it, your nitrate is off the chart. plus it is doing the same thing as your LR, only the LR does it better.
Bioballs also need cleaning, but not as often.

[xmikebrock]

so what if i go for the canister filter and a protein skimmer?

[Jase]

You would still need to clean the media often, or just use rubble. The canister just isn't necessary for a SW tank...
Did you read my post on your other thread?

[LilGreenPuffer]

so what if i go for the canister filter and a protein skimmer?

The filter would grab the waste and convert it before the skimmer could remove it. But why spend the extra $$$ on the filter when the skimmer on its own would work better?

[Idontknow]

Yeah, mine came with my tank so instead of it just laying around, I wanted to use it. It's just extra filtration now and it is also useful for extra current.

[xmikebrock]

ok

and yes i did lol thank you

well i have a nice canister filter
wanted to see if i should use it
i dont want to use the LR, too much $$ for my new tank
still figuring if i should go sw bw or fw lol

i have 2 GSP now
so i guess it would have to be either the sw or bw

would the filter be good in brackish??

[Jase]

Canister filters work great for FW and BW. still gotta clean them from time to time though like any filter.

[xmikebrock]

GREAT!

what about protein skimmer, would i need one of those for brackish?

[Jase]

No, see the protein skimmer only works at 1.018 or greater, so anything below that needs to have weekly water changes to remove the wastes in the water.
Note: Water changes should be done as is necessary, 20% weekly is just a general rule.

[Jase]

remember though, salt (and conditioner) isn't cheap, so with all these water changes, you will probably end up spending just as much as it takes to get a skimmer and LR...
The worst part of this hobby for me is that it's not cheap, and I'm a cheap person. So I'm not trying to get you to spend money just for the hell of it, these things really are what we say.