Does a canister filter add another place for benficial

[chuckfullservice]

I have been researching canister filters for my new tank and I keep reading how they can be used for mechanical , chemical and biological filtering is this true. If it is wouldn't this improve the load capacity of my aquarium?

I am currenty running a bio wheel set up on a currently cycling tank. I have read and believe bio wheels to be useless in saltwater aquariums.

Thus I wanted to upgrade to a canister filter . After reading they will house benficial bacteria I want one even more . Even if I have to fill one filter chamber with rubble or gravel I would do so if this is true.

Can anyone shed light on this?

[frozenapple]

If you buy media like bioballs (things that are made to attract beneficail bacteria) and fill a chamber with it. The bacteria will stick to it and help clean your tank!

 

so yes it can provide a home for bacteria.

[jm82792]

The bioballs can become nitrate traps making them more detrimental than beneficial.

I wouldn't do bioballs many people say the canisters are not worth it. A hob with filter floss,cheato and maybe mangroves would be better I think. But you need to remove/change the floss every 3 days so it doesn't become a nitrate source/trap.

[Mr. Fosi]

You'll have plenty of surface area for bacteria on your LR and sand alone. You don't need a way to increase your surface area unless you plan to overload your system with NH3.

[chuckfullservice]

You'll have plenty of surface area for bacteria on your LR and sand alone. You don't need a way to increase your surface area unless you plan to overload your system with NH3.

Point taken .

 

 

The bioballs can become nitrate traps making them more detrimental than beneficial.

I wouldn't do bioballs many people say the canisters are not worth it. A hob with filter floss,cheato and maybe mangroves would be better I think. But you need to remove/change the floss every 3 days so it doesn't become a nitrate source/trap.

This is a problem for me because my fiance insists I use a canopy . The canopy interferes with the hang on back . I am trying to clear the area on the back of the tank thus the idea of a canister filter.

I already have a u.v sterilizer and a h.o.b. skimmer hanging over the back add on the filter emperor 380 I believe , and theres not much room back there for any thing.

Any suggestions???

[Mr. Fosi]

What do you need the canister for? Flow?

[MrAnderson]

if used as it is designed, it's superfluous because it will provide extra nitrification, which is almost never something one needs to augment in reef tanks. the proof of this is that you almost never hear of chronic, steady-state ammonia or nitrite problems.

 

the problem is almost always nitrates. therefore unless you plan on modding the canister to be a denitrator, it's somewhat pointless to add. also, as someone else pointed out, the added detritus trapped in bioballs (or other media) combined with higher rates of nitrification will cause a bottleneck at the denitrification step and a nitrate problem.

 

so to answer your question, it won't increase the capacity of your tank.

[HankB]

This is a problem for me because my fiance insists I use a canopy

...

Any suggestions???

 

Need I state the obvious?

[chuckfullservice]

What do you need the canister for? Flow?

I have a HOB on the tank now and it interfers with the canopy !

So I was hoping to replace it with a canister filter to gain some clearence.

[Mr. Fosi]

You can certainly use it for that.

 

I stick to using it purely as a source of flow and/or a place to occasionally put water polishing media like carbon and filterfloss.