How to keep a reef tank using a canister filter

In this video I will be talking about if you can keep a canister filter on your reef tank. I will be talking about my experience on the topic and some tips that I hope can help you. I hope you all enjoy the video

[@dusk1947]

I think it's a fun topic to explore. I know of several successful marine systems running on canisters. However, aerobic nitrification and basic mechanical filtering often are not enough for long term success with delicate invertebrates. So many long-term marine systems with sensitive creatures like coral opt to add-on filter socks, fleece rollers, protein skimmers, refugium's, algal scrubbers, and/or media reaction chambers for this reason. It's all about how ideal can we keep the water conditions. But, you can be successful with just the basics. I hope you run this system for quite awhile and see how successful you can be. But, it's not the easiest way to keep one of these systems. For example, we all get nuisance algae. But the density tells me you have too high of a nitrate and phosphate concentration. Canisters alone, offer no solution to this problem. You're left with manual removal and more frequent water changes. That is not a criticism. But looking for alternate solutions to that challenge, is why sumps (which offer space for more solutions) are so common and recommended. A sock or fleece roller allows the same degree of detritus capture as a canister. But are far easier to clean, thus they get cleaned more often reducing waste before it breaks down. Once waste starts to breaking down, protein skimmers can capture dissolved organics and remove them from the tank before they fully decompose. Then once waste is fully broken down and mineralized; refugium's or algal scrubbers use algae growth to remove nutrient build ups; while chemical filtration like activated carbon and GFO can bind certain nutrients and remove them that way. These are the tools you lack when running only a HOB or Canister. That lack, is why you see so many sumps on marine systems. You don't "need" any of those tools to be successful. It just increases the likelihood of being successful long-term. Those tools also come with down sides like increased cost, space use, energy consumption, and you have a higher learning curve. Keeping it to just a canister or HOB is accessible. And works if you're dedicated. Best of luck to You :)

[@malachispetlaboratory]

Thank you for all the information and recommendations.

[@TofuInc]

The main issue with a canister filter is nutrient export. With a filter sock in a sump or filter floss in a HOB style you can easily clean / replace it every couple days before that excess food and detritus has a chance to break down. With a canister you have to break the whole thing open to clean / replace the filters. That's why you often end up with high nitrates with a canister filter because they general only get cleaned every couple weeks at best. So you end up needing to use macroalgae to soak up the nutrients or do larger, more frequent water changes.

[@malachispetlaboratory]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@ParkerLewis411]

The Oasé canister filter has a pre filter that can be removed easily for cleaning regularly.

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

Where you located?