Too much???

[I like fishes]

Hello everyone,

I’m really,really new to reefing. I’ve been reading and learning a lot from this forum and decided to take the plunge and ask my questions.
I just recently finished the cycling on my 36g. Wishing I found this site or did my homework before a compulsive buy but here I am with what I got.
I’m running a cascade 700 canister filter, it seemed to cycle my tank well but as I learned more, I wish I did things differently. I recently purchased a AquaMaxx hang on back multi filter with protein skimmer. My question is do I run this HOB with the canister filter or just by its self?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome to the group. You came to the right spot. Don’t worry, it looks like you are off to a good start.

I am going to get lots of grief, but I like the canister. It may be a bit low on flow and kinda hard to clean compared to the HOB. I don’t have experience with the HOB so I cannot say.

Glad you joined and let’s see where the opinions land

 

[Mikedawg]

I think the answer is based on how well either one (or both) maintains water parameters you want. As you have probably read by now, not many reefers use the canister filters for a variety of reasons, and, if it were me, I would disconnect it and see how your tank does with just the hob and protein skimmer.

Good luck!

 

[MTBake]

Welcome to R2R:)

Looks like a good start so far. The biggest problem with canister filters is holding organics in the media and raising nutrient levels. As in nitrates and phosphates. That's not a terrible thing in some some systems. I'd keep an eye on levels and remove it if nitrates become an issue later on.

My first tank was a huge learning experience. I replaced every piece of equipment on that system like 3 times. I started with one of those 55 gallon prepackaged kits from Petco 15 years ago. Most of that equipment was barely able to keep freshwater fish alive, let alone a reef tank. And yes, I had a canister filter on that tank.

 

[sfin52]

Hello everyone,

I’m really,really new to reefing. I’ve been reading and learning a lot from this forum and decided to take the plunge and ask my questions.
I just recently finished the cycling on my 36g. Wishing I found this site or did my homework before a compulsive buy but here I am with what I got.
I’m running a cascade 700 canister filter, it seemed to cycle my tank well but as I learned more, I wish I did things differently. I recently purchased a AquaMaxx hang on back multi filter with protein skimmer. My question is do I run this HOB with the canister filter or just by its self?

I use a fluval fx4 on my reef with and hob full of rubble. My nitrates run 40-60 and phosphates sit at 1. I grow hair algea and my cuc does a good job at controlling it. My reef is 99% softies. I dont chase numbers any more. It lead to to many headaches and a lot of lost corals and inverts. My canisters does a great job. The hob will add more flow so leave it. Just know that you may have higher nitrates and phosphates in a canister run tank.

To control nutrients you could go with a macroalgea tank mixed with corals. Ive seen it done and looks great.

@najer I believe you have a macroalgea and coral tank. Can you give some insights.

 

[virtual reality]

Your off to a good start. Keep asking questions when you need to know stuff.:)

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[sfin52]

I almost forgot welcome to the salty life. For the best thread on reef2reef join us at https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brand-new-8-gallon-bio-cube.297335/page-710#post-5821102

 

[I like fishes]

I just placed the HOB today, I’ll continue to test.

 

[virtual reality]

So, what kind of stuff you thinking about putting in your tank?

 

[Nep2nzReef]

Hey I Like Fishes. Looks nice, off to a good start I would say too. I don't think the canister is a bad thing, I just don't believe it's necessary. Taking it off the system would lessen your maintenance down the road as long as the multi filter can handle the tanks load. Curious what you have in mind as far as stocking? Are you interested in fish only or would you be considering corals of some sort?

 

[I like fishes]

First off I’d just like to say thank u for such a warm welcome. I do have 2 fishes in there now. A Royal Gramma and a McCosker Flasher wrasse plus my cuc. I want to do soft corals and maybe build from there

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R. I would rehome that shark egg before it hatches. The tank is way to small to house even a baby shark.

 

[I like fishes]

Oh I forgot to mention. The hob has a space for a refugium, when should I start that?

 

[I like fishes]

Welcome to R2R. I would consider rehoming that shark egg before it hatches. The tank is way to small to house even a baby shark.

I’m just “hatching” it. Selling back to lfs

 

[I like fishes]

My husband who knows nothing about reefing bought it for me, thinking I’d like to see it hatch. My plan is to talk him into getting me a bigger tank to house the shark. Lol.

 

[cracker]

Welcome to R2R ! All i have to add is if You do use the canister.Please keep up with keeping it clean. Then You can avoid high nutrient levels.
The other filter may keep up ,all depends on how many fishes You have .

 

[I like fishes]

Welcome to R2R ! All i have to add is if You do use the canister.Please keep up with keeping it clean. Then You can avoid high nutrient levels.
The other filter may keep up ,all depends on how many fishes You have .

Can I take off the canister filter now and just use the HOB? Will this have a negative effect on the tank? It is a newly cycled tank, only 2 months.

 

[cracker]

I don't see why not. I'm sure others will chime in on this. I personally would run both. While one is rebuilding beneficial bacteria after cleaning the other can carry the load.
Either way , Please consider going real slow on adding any livestock
Do You have your test kits yet? If so which ones do you have ?

 

[I like fishes]

I don't see why not. I'm sure others will chime in on this. I personally would run both. While one is rebuilding beneficial bacteria after cleaning the other can carry the load.
Either way , Please consider going real slow on adding any livestock
Do You have your test kits yet? If so which ones do you have ?

I have API master test kit,this was taken today