Thinking about switching to a canister filter.

[Ordie23]

Hello,

Relatively new reefer. I start my 40 gallon breeder reef tank in May. Currently I have a Fluval AC70 as my filter but I have been looking at getting a canister filter for it instead. I have looked at the JBJ reaction pro 2 with the 7w UV sterilizer. My question would be is this a smart move to make?

 

[UncommonSense]

Hello,

Relatively new reefer. I start my 40 gallon breeder reef tank in May. Currently I have a Fluval AC70 as my filter but I have been looking at getting a canister filter for it instead. I have looked at the JBJ reaction pro 2 with the 7w UV sterilizer. My question would be is this a smart move to make?

Canister filters are essentially an overpriced reactor from the perspective of saltwater; your money would be better spent on a HOB skimmer (I like reef octopus), or starting to eye up an overflow/sump!

 

[Ordie23]

Canister filters are essentially an overpriced reactor from the perspective of saltwater; your money would be better spent on a HOB skimmer (I like reef octopus), or starting to eye up an overflow/sump!

Would i have to drill into my tank for a sump? Its just a petco 40 gallon rimmed breeder.

 

[SudzFD]

Hello,

Relatively new reefer. I start my 40 gallon breeder reef tank in May. Currently I have a Fluval AC70 as my filter but I have been looking at getting a canister filter for it instead. I have looked at the JBJ reaction pro 2 with the 7w UV sterilizer. My question would be is this a smart move to make?

Think again. I’ve used them I always hated them and feel there are many better options. A HOB Skimmer/ filter would be much better. I use the Aquamaxx HF-M with great results.

 

[Ordie23]

Think again. I’ve used them I always hated them and feel there are many better options. A HOB Skimmer/ filter would be much better. I use the Aquamaxx HF-M with great results.

I like the AC70 itself but it does it a little noisy from the water flow into the tank from it plus the salt creep from evaporation all over it sucks.

 

[UncommonSense]

Would i have to drill into my tank for a sump? It’s just a petco 40 gallon rimmed breeder.

Unless you want to use a notoriously unreliable hang on overflow; yes!

My thought would be getting a second 40b (or something bigger!) from your local petsmart/petco using online price matching to get it for 1/2 of typical shelf price… then, drill the new tank for an overflow!

Then, you can tank transfer to the new tank, and build out your current 40b as the sump!

 

[Ordie23]

Would i have to drill into my tank for a sump? It’s just a petco 40 gallon rimmed breeder.

Unless you want to use a notoriously unreliable hang on overflow; yes!

My thought would be getting a second 40b (or something bigger!) from your local petsmart/petco using online price matching to get it for 1/2 of typical shelf price… then, drill the new tank for an overflow!

Then, you can tank transfer to the new tank, and build out your current 40b as the sump!

Ok i can look into that.

 

[SudzFD]

on my 40g tank in the past I used something like this:

Marineland HOB


With a simple HOB SKIMMER that actually was quite the workhorse.

HOB Skimmer

That’s the cheapest way to go and it will work better than the canister.

Here’s the link to the HF-M. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s basically a mini sump. It has a skimmer, place for bio media and media bags, and all my dosing and probes and even heater fit in it. And I added a small led light to the back of it so now I have a refugium in the main chamber. It’s a great option. I run two on my 125g and one would work great on your tank.

Aquamaxx HF-M

 

[UncommonSense]

I like the AC70 itself but it does it a little noisy from the water flow into the tank from it plus the salt creep from evaporation all over it sucks.

If you want water flow; forget traditional impeller pumps, and get yourself a wave maker with a propeller type pump! — they can happily move exponentially more flow for the same price!

 

[SudzFD]

Would i have to drill into my tank for a sump? Its just a petco 40 gallon rimmed breeder.

Caution, most petco tanks cannot be drilled and are tempered.

 

[Ordie23]

I like the AC70 itself but it does it a little noisy from the water flow into the tank from it plus the salt creep from evaporation all over it sucks.

If you want water flow; forget traditional impeller pumps, and get yourself a wave maker with a propeller type pump! — they can happily move exponentially more flow for the same price!

I have flow in my tank with two nero 3 power heads flow is not a problem. Starting to be annoyed by the HOB to be honest.

 

[Ordie23]

Would i have to drill into my tank for a sump? Its just a petco 40 gallon rimmed breeder.

Caution, most petco tanks cannot be drilled and are tempered.

Thank you for the heads up.

 

[UncommonSense]

Ok i can look into that.

There are several great threads here on glass drilling; do you have an electric drill which has numbers and/or symbols on it up by the spinning head?

— what we’re looking for here is a “clutch” on the drill, which can be set to slip, slowing/stopping the drill head if you apply too much force or the drill bit binds!

 

[UncommonSense]

Thank you for the heads up.

You can check if the glass is tempered in store, and before drilling using one of several methods! — check YouTube for videos; I seem to recall it’s just a phone and polarized glasses!

 

[SudzFD]

I have flow in my tank with two nero 3 power heads flow is not a problem. Starting to be annoyed by the HOB to be honest.

If that’s the case I understand why you are looking at canisters. They will be quieter but I don’t like that in my experience they become nitrate factories, have a tendency to leak, and limit options for hiding equipment. I guess we should ask what your tank is. FOWLR? Maybe it’s an ok option. Reef tank, get used to the sound as it’s just part of what is needed.

 

[Ordie23]

Ok i can look into that.

There are several great threads here on glass drilling; do you have an electric drill which has numbers and/or symbols on it up by the spinning head?

— what we’re looking for here is a “clutch” on the drill, which can be set to slip, slowing/stopping the drill head if you apply too much force or the drill bit binds!

Yes i have a dewalt drill. I am fairly handy so using a tools is no issue.

 

[UncommonSense]

Yes i have a dewalt drill. I am fairly handy so using a tools is no issue.

Great!

You should be able to handle this with no issue then!

Just check for tempered glass as mentioned prior, have your overflow box on hand to check fitment, and read up on glass drilling before you take a stab at it!

It could also be prudent to get a used, or super cheap new 5-10g tank to use as your drilling “lab rat” to get a feel for the process! — just drill it up near the top rim so you can stick a bulkhead in it and use it as a tank still!

Edit: Here’s a recent drilling thread I chipped in on, there’s some good advice in there!

— you don’t actually NEED the drill press style attachment for 1/4” thick glass thankfully!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/drill-time.1117917/

 

[Ordie23]

I have flow in my tank with two nero 3 power heads flow is not a problem. Starting to be annoyed by the HOB to be honest.

If that’s the case I understand why you are looking at canisters. They will be quieter but I don’t like that in my experience they become nitrate factories, have a tendency to leak, and limit options for hiding equipment. I guess we should ask what your tank is. FOWLR? Maybe it’s an ok option. Reef tank, get used to the sound as it’s just part of what is needed.

I have some sps and lps corals and fish. I know noise is going to happen with reef tank and really any tank.

 

[SudzFD]

I have flow in my tank with two nero 3 power heads flow is not a problem. Starting to be annoyed by the HOB to be honest.

If that’s the case I understand why you are looking at canisters. They will be quieter but I don’t like that in my experience they become nitrate factories, have a tendency to leak, and limit options for hiding equipment. I guess we should ask what your tank is. FOWLR? Maybe it’s an ok option. Reef tank, get used to the sound as it’s just part of what is needed.

I have some sps and lps corals and fish. I know noise is going to happen with reef tank and really any tank.

Yeah I advise against canister filter then.

 

[goosemans]

I’ve never drilled a tank before but maybe it would be a good idea to get a cheap 2.5 or 5 gal Petco tank to practice drilling first?