Canister Filter input needed asap!

Hi i have a 65 gal hexagon tank set up with about 50 lb live rock with a sand base and 2 clarkies currently living in it. I was running a fluval 405 canister filter that just died on me. I have been reading through some product reviews and looking between fluval, rena, marineland and eheim but they all seem to have some sort of frequent problem. So i would like some input from some actual canister filter users out there and what you recommend or suggest i stay away from. Thanks!

 

All are good, reputable manufacturers and the products are well tested. I would lean to the Eheim myself in I had the money to afford it.

What are you using the canister filter for?

 

I would suggest ditching the cannister idea and just running a skimmer. Most people that use a cannister in SW just use them to run carbon in. I think a skimmer would be more beneficial for you.

 

i have used fluval and eheim in the past and havent had any problems with either. If I had to get another canister though, I think i would do one with the UV attached to it like the JBJ reaction 4 canister. But i agree, a good skimmer will do a lot more in your tank then a canister. Which ever you choice make sure you do the maintance on it and change the media out frequently. Great detritus store

 

i was using the canister because i do not have the room to do a sump set up and do you think that using only a skimmer would be enough for the tank?

 

Are you planning on having corals or just doing a fish only with live rock (FOWLR). If you are just doing a FOWLR, a cannister would probably be ok as long as you keep a good maintenance schedule for it. If not, they can become nutrient factories that can feed an algae outbreak etc... Skimmers are great because once setup and dialed in, you are basically just cleaning out a collection cup.

Alot of times, we have to do things based on our constraints whether it is space, money, etc...
As long as you keep the maintenance up on the cannister you should be ok.

 

I have same "room" problem, so I use both, in the canister I run Chemipure Elite along with filter media and ceramic pouch. I just make sure I clean and replace filter often. Seems to work well on my setup.

 

i am having a problem with a deep/red algae growth in my tank now that i have not been able to get rid of for a while, maybe skimmer is way to go but lfs says you need both skimmer and filter and honestly i do not have money to do both right now so of the two which should i do?

 

I run a JBJ reaction 4 stage with UV and it's a love/hate type thing.

They do a great job,I run coarse sponge,filter media,gfo and carbon in mine and love the added benifit of UV.Couldn't be happier with it,however the routine maintenace is a pita,but then again,what canister maintenance isn't,lol.

 

how are the jbj's to take apart and clean? i know my fluval 405 was a huge pain!! lol