Canister Filter Questions

[mirosh]

Hello All,

I am new to the hobby and currently have a 35 gallon with a protein skimmer, 4" sandbed and 30 lbs of live rock. I am currently in the cycling process (added a cocktail shrimp to get it going) and now am in the waiting faze...

I noticed that dead stuff is falling off of my rock and the tank has a lot of "floaties" in it. Should I be using a canister filter to get rid of these larger particles???... after all, the protein skimmer isnt going to get them!

I have a whisper power filter kicking around (but not currently on the tank)...could I just use that with some filter floss every once in a while to clean out the big chunks, or do i need a constantly running canister filter? Keep in mind that it's only a 35 gallon, so I'm trying not to go overboard so I don't screw up the biological filtration and waste money!

Thanks,
Mike

[reiple]

Hello Mike. 4" sand bed is fine but 5" is better to establish a DSB. A 35 gallon tank might need (Berlin Style filtration) between 50 to 70 lbs LR depending on kind of rock.

Yes you could use a canister filter. But you'd have to clean it often to avoid it becoming a biological filter. You will use it more as a mechanical filter.

Floating debris may be removed by surface skimming. If you tank does not have an overflow/sump then you can either make a surface skimmer or buy one.

Have fun.