Using a HOB or Canister filter for my 6 month 50 G "observation tank"

[kingkapoor]

I am doing a 50 gallon 4 fish tank for about 6 months before I spend bigger money on a large size red sea reefer.

I am keeping it simple right now and doing a baby blue tang, two baby clownfish, and will figure out what I want to do for the final fish.

I am wondering if I should get a high quality HOB skimmer or a canister filter?

I feel like most will say HOB skimmer but how much will that matter for a lower bioload and if I do decent 20% water changes weekly?

The best local fish store I know in town has each fish quarantined in their own tanks, runs a canister filter on each tank.
From previous experience I realize canister filters are nitrate factories. I was thinking of scrapping the usual biomedia which just traps proteins and using polyfill, some live rock, and some ammonia catchers (purigen)

So- High quality HOB skimmer or canister?

 

[Malifry97]

HOB skimmer for sure...but how long do you plan to have a baby blue tang in a 50G?

 

[kingkapoor]

HOB skimmer for sure...but how long do you plan to have a baby blue tang in a 50G?

6 months or until he reaches 3 inches.

 

[Malifry97]

6 months or until he reaches 3 inches.

Nice, what tank do you have for him to upgrade to?

 

[kingkapoor]

Nice, what tank do you have for him to upgrade to?

I havent bought an upgrade at the moment, We have a very large lfs near by (neptune aquatics) that sells all sorts of fancy tanks. I would like to move him to a 150 gallon red sea reefer once he grows 3-4 inches in size

 

[Malifry97]

I havent bought an upgrade at the moment, We have a very large lfs near by (neptune aquatics) that sells all sorts of fancy tanks. I would like to move him to a 150 gallon red sea reefer once he grows 3-4 inches in size

Nice. Id start the planning as ive seen far too often people end up having trouble upgrading or rehoming. And thats unfortunate

 

[snowhite]

Canisters are fine as long as you clean the filter floss or sponge in them frequently. Weekly or every other week is usually pretty decent. Just more of a hassle than pulling out a sock.