IMPOSSIBLE: MIXED REEF RUNNING ON CANISTERS

[FUNGI]

I was once told that it would not be possible for me to have a mixed reef running on canisters...its a set-up for failure. You can only keep softies.......
Well, here is a little slice from my 125G.
Equipment:
3 FX6's filled with LR - Once a year clean tub out/motor clean
1 Icecap K3-250 Skimmer
1 Razor 300w Light
1 LR500 (Octo Clone) chaeto reactor
Dosing: 15ml AFR daily
Dosing: 15ml DIY NoPox (Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley) every other day
Water Change: This Decemeber will be 2 years no water change. Tanks been up 4 years.

Thoughts?

 

[exnisstech]

Impressive for sure. So your using the FX6s for biological filtration? Seems like full of rock they would be great as a cryptic zone. I've been tempted to set one up full of rubble on my 40g that I'm running with a hob.

 

[VintageReefer]

If I ran a canister, I’d fill it with live rock also

Your corals look great!

 

[FUNGI]

The FX's waterflow inhibits them becoming cryptic so they are running as biological filters. The life in this filters shocks me every year I open them...pods, pods, sponges, filter worms, everywhere LOL.

 

[FUNGI]

If I ran a canister, I’d fill it with live rock also

Your corals look great!

Thanks....means alot to me to hear that from my peers on this forum.

 

[FUNGI]

Night shot before lights out.

 

[exnisstech]

The no water change is attractive. Do you test or Just keep an eye on things?

 

[Evil1]

65 gallon mixed reef 6 years running on 2 Oase Biomasters 600’s, Aquamax 1.5 skimmer, 2 RS 90’s RS doser dosing 50ml AFR daily and Nopox 4ml daily RS ATO, BRS Co2 scrubber.

 

[Evil1]

65 gallon mixed reef 6 years running on 2 Oase Biomasters 600’s, Aquamax 1.5 skimmer, 2 RS 90’s RS doser dosing 50ml AFR daily and Nopox 4ml daily RS ATO, BRS Co2 scrubber.

 

[Evil1]

65 gallon mixed reef 6 years running on 2 Oase Biomasters 600’s, Aquamax 1.5 skimmer, 2 RS 90’s RS doser dosing 50ml AFR daily and Nopox 4ml daily RS ATO, BRS Co2 scrubber.

 

[FUNGI]

The no water change is attractive. Do you test or Just keep an eye on things?

Brother.....I only found out yesterday my mag was at 1423 when I took some water in for yearly test...LOL.
The coral will let me if things are out of whack....

 

[FUNGI]

65 gallon mixed reef 6 years running on 2 Oase Biomasters 600’s, Aquamax 1.5 skimmer, 2 RS 90’s RS doser dosing 50ml AFR daily and Nopox 4ml daily RS ATO, BRS Co2 scrubber.

Beauty!

 

[FUNGI]

Wish I had pictures of my first tank running a UGF with powerheads, Fluval 110 and 400w MH..... that was a nice tank also

 

[LPS Bum]

Your corals look great! Keep up the good work.

I run a 240 gal FOWLR on nothing more than an old Rena Filstar XP3 and an Aquamaxx HOB skimmer. Anything is possible in this hobby.

 

[FUNGI]

Your corals look great! Keep up the good work.

I run a 240 gal FOWLR on nothing more than an old Rena Filstar XP3 and an Aquamaxx HOB skimmer. Anything is possible in this hobby.

Thanks....Rena Filstar XP3 .....my all time fav filter.....I still have one in my shed gathering dust....don't have the heart to get rid of it....

 

[shadowswalker23]

I'm running a 35 gal off a Magnum 300 with filter floss and an Aquaclear 70 diy HOB refugium. I just started adding corals, but my zoas and acan seem pretty happy.

 

[EchoPear]

65 gallon mixed reef 6 years running on 2 Oase Biomasters 600’s, Aquamax 1.5 skimmer, 2 RS 90’s RS doser dosing 50ml AFR daily and Nopox 4ml daily RS ATO, BRS Co2 scrubber.

How are the suction cups on that oase surface skimmer? Was always skeptical if they would hold up long term but like the water output straight down

 

[EchoPear]

Thanks for showing what is possible. I’m thinking my next tank will be in the 60-75 gallon range to give me room for cooler fish. Not sure yet if I want to do canister filters or a fijicube drop in AIO kit but don’t think I’ll spend for a sump or the plumbing. I like my softies and LPS

If you had to do it again would you do canister filters again or an all in one system? I’m also curious by what you mean on the flow rate not being good for a cryptic zone

 

[FUNGI]

Thanks for showing what is possible. I’m thinking my next tank will be in the 60-75 gallon range to give me room for cooler fish. Not sure yet if I want to do canister filters or a fijicube drop in AIO kit but don’t think I’ll spend for a sump or the plumbing. I like my softies and LPS

If you had to do it again would you do canister filters again or an all in one system? I’m also curious by what you mean on the flow rate not being good for a cryptic zone

If I had to do it again, I would do it. I've been doing it for over 40 years, and have had almost 30 tanks during that period....all but one had canisters. In fact, I have 2 big sumps along with skimmers and pumps sitting in my shed gathering dust (one was supposed to be for this current tank). I travel and can't afford any issues with having to think about overflows/flooding ect..especially on a new all wood floor LOL. It was a no-brainer decision to canisters again. I don't have experience with AIO's so can't comment on those....but I'm sure lack of space for extras like UV, skimmer choice, refugium etc would be an issue....
Good luck with your build.

 

[FUNGI]

sorry missed replying about cryptic zone.
As there are basically no sponges in the filter (except last small one to protect the motor intake), the flow is pretty high...so no real dead/low water flow areas which I understand is part of whats needed for said zones....I guess I could say its a semi-cryptic, (no light and high flow)...so I have zero photosynthetic life, but TONS of filter feeders and translucent sponges.....