Thinking about switching to a canister filter.

[LunaReefs]

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 had an emeregency build and didn't want to deal with another sump so I did both a huge Canister (Oase) with UV and had an HOB from time to time. It was a 5', 85G and my corals were fantastic. It was definitely a pain to clean though.

@OP: But if the question is can it work, it absolutely can work, just add established media to the canister and you'll be fine. Tidal HOB's are beasts too.

 

[Ordie23]

A canister filter is a canister filter. The JBJ just has an added bonus of built in UV. Keep in mind that teh bulb will need replacing and hope that they dont discontinue the line.
I have 3 FX6's filled with LR rubble. Once a year rinse to "clean",....usually just bits of sand at the bottom of the canister. 20 minutes max per why

Would i need more than one canister filter then? Or would one fx4 or fx6 work?

 

[Nicholas Scelzi]

Been using canister filters on FOWLR tanks for years. No issues. One of my 55 gal tanks has an old Eheim 2228 on it that was handed down to me by my father. Thing has to be 20 years old and still works great.

You wouldn’t need more than one on your size tank. I do run a skimmer with it as well.

 

[FUNGI]

Would i need more than one canister filter then? Or would one fx4 or fx6 work?

Thats up to you....the FX6's are too much for your 40G....the FX4 might be good.

 

[Ordie23]

Would i need more than one canister filter then? Or would one fx4 or fx6 work?

Thats up to you....the FX6's are too much for your 40G....the FX4 might be good.

Thats what ibwas thinking. They have a smaller fx2 but i like the drain feature on the 4.

 

[FishLvR]

Canisters are a waste of money. The Oase someone mentioned is garbage. Let me explain, I own two. Both gurgle and get air bubbles that lock the pump then you come home to a wreck of a tank. The reason is both have pre filters and a place for the heater. Since they use cheap plastic latches air creeps in and causes a back stop of air. HORRID. The prefilters are messy and in a reef setting I can imagine ineffective after a day as they get hopelessly clogged.

I would just go with a HOB for mechanical polishing. And a external/HOB or drop in skimmer and call it a day.

 

[Aquarist76]

Is a canister filter better than a HOB filter? Arguably. Is it better than a sump? No!
I've had every size tank from 20G up to 210G. I've used every type of filter possible. My least favorite is canister. They are just a pain to change and messy. It's all enclosed so you can't really see what's going on and when the filters are dirty. For a 40G I'd either keep the HOB or go to a sump if you plan on having more than just FOWLR. At least with a HOB you can see when the filter is dirty and needs to be changed. I've run many successful tanks up to 55G with just a cheap Aqueon HOB filter for both FOWLR and coral frag tanks. I had a 75G FOWLR with a canister filter for years and finally changed over to a DIY sump and they tank parameters are so much better.

 

[Aquarist76]

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

For a 40G, no. Yes drilled is always better but I've had two 75G and one 125G tanks with HOB overflows with no issues at all. Just make sure you have a large enough sump for overflow in case of a power outage.

 

[Aquarist76]

I could be spreading bad info but I’ve read the current petco tanks are tempered and not drillable. Unless someone can chime in with recent experience seems like petco tanks are a roll of the dice for drilling.

Correct. The Petco Aqueon tanks are not drill-able. And even if theye were, the glass is so thin I wouldn't trust it to hold a drilled overflow. At least a HOB overflow sits on the reinforced rim. I've had both Aqueon and Marineland tanks with HOB overflows and no issues.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

So I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would chime in.

I've run two tanks on a canister filter and had zero issues with either. With picos, they are actually perfect, they allow you to have good, directional flow without the need for a powerhead.

I currently run a 40b with an Oase biomaster 300 thermo. I like the canister filter personally, but it's all about what you want to do with it. I could see a scenario where trying to run it with a bunch of filter sponges/pads in it could be a chore to clean. I don't run any mechanical aside from the pre-filter, the canister is filled with bio media. I left the top tray empty so I have the option to run chemical if needed.

For maintenance, I clean the prefilter only about once a month (sometimes a bit longer). I have only opened the canister 1 time in the last 6 months. I like canisters and I like HOB filters, but I find the canister has a lot more versatility and allows me to place my heater outside of the display, more biological media, and the option to run chemical filtration.

Another nice thing about a canister is running a UV or an algae reactor. You can't really do that with a hob filter.

I just wanted to give my 2 cents. There's more than 1 way to skin a cat. A lot of people speak negatively about canisters, but I think the majority of the issues are user application, not so much that canisters are bad.

Also, for what it's worth, my tank parameters are:

Alk: 9dkh
Cal: 410
Po4: 0.05
No3: 7

As for them being "nitrate factories", I currently have to dose both nitrate and phosphate.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

So I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would chime in.

I've run two tanks on a canister filter and had zero issues with either. With picos, they are actually perfect, they allow you to have good, directional flow without the need for a powerhead.

I currently run a 40b with an Oase biomaster 300 thermo. I like the canister filter personally, but it's all about what you want to do with it. I could see a scenario where trying to run it with a bunch of filter sponges/pads in it could be a chore to clean. I don't run any mechanical aside from the pre-filter, the canister is filled with bio media. I left the top tray empty so I have the option to run chemical if needed.

For maintenance, I clean the prefilter only about once a month (sometimes a bit longer). I have only opened the canister 1 time in the last 6 months. I like canisters and I like HOB filters, but I find the canister has a lot more versatility and allows me to place my heater outside of the display, more biological media, and the option to run chemical filtration.

Another nice thing about a canister is running a UV or an algae reactor. You can't really do that with a hob filter.

I just wanted to give my 2 cents. There's more than 1 way to skin a cat. A lot of people speak negatively about canisters, but I think the majority of the issues are user application, not so much that canisters are bad.

Also, for what it's worth, my tank parameters are:

Alk: 9dkh
Cal: 410
Po4: 0.05
No3: 7

As for them being "nitrate factories", I currently have to dose both nitrate and phosphate.

I could not agree more! I use a Oase' Biomaster 600 on my 90 gallon pretty much the exact same way. But I do clean the prefilter about every 2 weeks. I feed my fish a couple times a day. You are correct it is all about how you use a canister. Which sponges do you use for your prefilter? I threw the black ones that it came with away! I have 2 sets of the blue sponges, so I just swap them out.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

I could not agree more! I use a Oase' Biomaster 600 on my 90 gallon pretty much the exact same way. But I do clean the prefilter about every 2 weeks. I feed my fish a couple times a day. You are correct it is all about how you use a canister. Which sponges do you use for your prefilter? I threw the black ones that it came with away! I have 2 sets of the blue sponges, so I just swap them out.

I love mine. I feed mine like crazy and really struggle to keep the nitrates and phosphates up, that's why I don't change the filter often. I have contemplated changing like 2 or 3 of the sponges every few weeks, but I'm still not sure about it. I actually used the black ones, and I still am. I have the red ones, the 30ppi, but I haven't used them yet.

I keep a spare heater just in case, but I have never had any issues with Oase or Fluval filters. I run my intake tube in a 2in piece of PVC that I drilled some holes in the top of the work, like a skimmer.

I think it's more about the individual rather than the means of filtration. I have seen people running every add-on imaginable, and they still have horrible tank parameters. Then there are people with no mechanical filtration with amazing tanks. I think people also tend to glorify sumps because it is such a norm, but it's really just a preference as to how you want to run your tank.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

I could not agree more! I use a Oase' Biomaster 600 on my 90 gallon pretty much the exact same way. But I do clean the prefilter about every 2 weeks. I feed my fish a couple times a day. You are correct it is all about how you use a canister. Which sponges do you use for your prefilter? I threw the black ones that it came with away! I have 2 sets of the blue sponges, so I just swap them out.

You also have a gorgeous tank, and it will just continue to look better and better as it matures.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

You also have a gorgeous tank, and it will just continue to look better and better as it matures.

Thank you very much!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I love mine. I feed mine like crazy and really struggle to keep the nitrates and phosphates up, that's why I don't change the filter often. I have contemplated changing like 2 or 3 of the sponges every few weeks, but I'm still not sure about it. I actually used the black ones, and I still am. I have the red ones, the 30ppi, but I haven't used them yet.

I keep a spare heater just in case, but I have never had any issues with Oase or Fluval filters. I run my intake tube in a 2in piece of PVC that I drilled some holes in the top of the work, like a skimmer.

I think it's more about the individual rather than the means of filtration. I have seen people running every add-on imaginable, and they still have horrible tank parameters. Then there are people with no mechanical filtration with amazing tanks. I think people also tend to glorify sumps because it is such a norm, but it's really just a preference as to how you want to run your tank.

Agree! How often do you do water changes, if at all? I ask because up until very recently, I have always done 20 - 25% every other week. But I read a post on here from @vetteguy53081 where he does mini changes either every day, or every other day. So I started doing the same. On a 90 gallon tank I do 2 gallon changes every other day. It is insanely quick and easy. So far, my tank seems very good with it.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

Agree! How often do you do water changes, if at all? I ask because up until very recently, I have always done 20 - 25% every other week. But I read a post on here from @vetteguy53081 where he does mini changes either every day, or every other day. So I started doing the same. On a 90 gallon tank I do 2 gallon changes every other day. It is insanely quick and easy. So far, my tank seems very good with it.

I do a weekly 10%ish, so like 3/4 gallons. I wasn't doing them at all when I was doing all for the reef. I just switched from Reef Crystals to Aquaforest. I just wanted to give something else a try and I was tired of all the brown crud left on my pump and heater that I had to clean all the time.