Heater/Canister Filter?

[ZMattie]

Im looking to get a Canister filter (im not picky on name brand, just need one big enough for my tank 55gal). Im also looking to get a better heater (i cant set mine, its pretty much junk), id like one that i can set to a specific temp.. Im going to buy both if nobody has any laying around... i just figured id start here.

Thanks Alot,
Zach m.

[jenglish]

I have had good luck with visitherm heater myself. Is there a reason you decided to go with a canister for your SW tank? I'm just wondering b/c its not the usual route.

[Aquaman777]

I agree with jenglish.....a canister filter is not the best type of filtration for a saltwater aquarium. I currently have an eheim 2236 that I am using on my sump only as a pump though for the skimmer....nothing inside of the canister. I could part ways with it if you are really interested in it. It cost me $140 at the local pet store. PM me if you are interested..... I also have an extra skimmer lying around if you are interested too.....

[ZMattie]

No reason for the canister filter.... I was told that they're good. What do you reccomend for a 55gal SW tank??

[Aquaman777]

I'd recommend a sump. My water was very very cloudy for about 2 weeks. After I installed a sump which I picked up from tardfarmer ....everything is slowly going back to normal.....water quality is excellent except for a little cloudy still.

[jenglish]

it all comes down to your basics of 3 types of filtration, Chemical, mechanical, and biological.

for chemical I recomend a good skimmer, I like the ability to use carbon or phosban as needed. A sump does give you good options for this. you can also add a refugium (seperate area of tank for growing macro algae)

for mechanical I normally am less concerned in a SW tank. I siphon detritus during WC and I have a mechanical filter for a powerhead if I needed to get something out or jus tpolish water

for biological I rely on live rock and sand.

This being said I am adapting a canister filter that I already have (from a old african cichlid tank, which IMO reallly benefits from canisters). This is to do mech or supplemental chemical if needed. But I would not buy one for a SW tank. If you spent the amount you were going to spend on a cannister on a good skimmer I think you will be happier with the results. good luck!

[hansmatt]

ditto jenglish...
The sump makes a HUGE difference in both ease of maintenance and the need to do it. My 90g did not have a sump when I got it, and the 4 months without it were a huge pain. Water changes are a bigger "shock", they require draining down a big part of the tank, skimmers, heaters, etc must be in the tank or just off of the back, noise is greater, and the overall water volume is less. Even with a small 20g sump, all of your equipment should be down there where you don't want to see, and the livestock in the tank where you do want to see.
Best skimmer you can afford...worth every penny. Often you can find a good used one from a local who is upgrading, or a used one online to save some coin. Ask around for recommendations...I like the ER skimmers very much, but there are some new (more expensive) ones that are pretty great (bubbleking, ATP, Octopus Extreme to name a few).
Live rock is crucial, and without enough you can limit the filtration. I recently added more and notice a big difference in water quality.
Lastly...ask, read, learn. There are so many people willing to help, so many different opinions out here that you've got to plan and take time to do the right thing. And try to do the right thing only once, not something that sorta works two or three times...learned that the hard way.
Matt

[Loverotties]

If you have a Fish Only tank,a canister is good any other the Rock is your filter.And in those tanks a canister is only used when you need to add something temp.,not all the time except for flow.

[D.J.]

i have a magnum 350 on my 75g along with an emperior 400.....the magnum is junk on salt imo.....i have had to replace the impeller assembly twice now due to salt/sand grindin on the shaft......but it does keep the water nice and clear...

the emperior i have had no issues out of and it works great....im not runnin biowheels on it thou....

im in the process of setting up a sump tank now...im tired of hearin the backpacks and canister......

if you did get a canister i would say a RENA.........lennie has them on his 52g and they are so quit that you cant hear them....

but i would try to setup a sump....from what ive priced you should be able to do a small sump for the cost of a GOOD canister...if you bargain around and see about used equipment...

i already had my tank...just had to buy a skimmer and a HOB overflow...which i got both for 60 or well will have 60 in them...just gota buy a return pump....you can get a good canister for around 140-180 dependin on the brand from what ive seen...i know there are some cheaper ones out there....or you can build a sump for around the same or less......

i do believe matt(hansmatt) has a HOB overflow....i would get with him...and then your on your way.....

[hansmatt]

actually its Chris...sanwdwave80...that has overflow

[Jrmass]

Actually, I think that Chris may have gotten rid of it. I know that his 120 gallon has now sold (talked with Matt at OTP and he told me that).

I would add more to the conversation but, I believe everything that needed to be said was said.

Don't waste the money on a canister. Use that money on a GOOD Skimmer please don't skimp on this if you can afford it. Figure that a canister would have costed roughly $100. Put this money towards a skimmer (watch for used ones as this is a huge cost savings) When I was looking for a skimmer I watched ReefCentral CONSTANTLY watching for that "perfect skimmer". And eventually what you are looking for will appear you just need to be there to say you want it. You can expect to pay probably 30% less than NEW price for a used unit which is a big savings.

Setting up a sump: Setting up a sump is as easy as getting an overflow box (as has been said) and going to garage sales and buying a used 20 gallon tank *that's where I get ALL of my small tanks from*. Heck if that 15 year old goldfish would die sometime I could sell you that one... But, until that happens that's her home.

Jason

[hansmatt]

Chris (sandwave90 or something like that) still has the overflow...he stopped by the other day to get some corals I was nursing back to health. Sounds like things are going well for his tank...stable and growing!

[D.J.]

yeah sorry bout that matt....i meant to change that and forgot........MY BAD.....

[hansmatt]

no worries