Canister Filters - Aquarium Advice

goldenboy · 03-03-2007, 08:07 PM

Does anyone use or know if the Rena filstar XP2 canister filter is worth using? I don't really have room for a full "wet-dry" system in the traditional sense and I was curious if a canister filter is an acceptable alternative. I currently have a 65gal reef that I am just now setting up and curing LR in. Any help would be appreciated.

**Ziggy953** · 03-03-2007, 08:12 PM

WELCOME TO AA!!!!!!

I don't know the filter very well but if you have enough LR and a HOB skimmer you will be fine. You will need a skimmer if you are going to have a reef with corals...

chase33 · 03-03-2007, 08:44 PM

I agree with Ziggy. The canister is not required. Skimmer and LR will do the job.

goldenboy · 03-04-2007, 08:13 AM

Thanks for your help and for the welcome. I do have a HOB skimmer with approx 75 lbs of LR as well as a HOB biowheel 400 filter.
I've been viewing this site for some time now and now that I'm up and running, I wanted to join. You have a great site and offer excellent advice. Thanks again.

**Ziggy953** · 03-04-2007, 01:26 PM

The HOB biowheel is probably going to create more problems then it will help solve. I would suggest not using it unless you need to run GAC for some reason and then just have it at the ready when that time comes.

**melosu58** · 03-04-2007, 01:31 PM

I also agree with LR and a skimmer. As far as the bio wheel I would remove the wheel and just use it to run GAC and extra water flow at the surface. Welcome to AA. We are glad you are here.

MT79 · 03-04-2007, 02:17 PM

Mechanical filtration generally is not good for reef setups. But, as the others have pointed out, it is always a good idea to have somewhere to run a chemical medium such as GAC or a PO4 reducer.

jwburleson97 · 03-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Hi, I'm new to this site and I had the exact question as goldenboy. Right now I'm curing 70 lbs of fiji LR in a 55 gal new tank. I have a protein skimmer running full blast and a skilter filter with carbon and a polyfilter in it. So would this be ok to keep running? Thank you for your expertise!

**Ziggy953** · 03-05-2007, 01:04 PM

WELCOME TO AA!!!!!

Like we said with Goldenboy, if you have enough LR and a skimmer you don't need additional filtration. Add about 20-30 pounds of LR to what you have and keep the skimmer going in your tank. Use the skilter with GAC only when you need it.

jwburleson97 · 03-05-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks! You have no idea how happy you have made me and my wallet! (and I'm sure my husband will be happy). The LFS told me I had to have some sort of a filter (wet/dry, sump) so I bought one....why do they do that? Now I have to take it back. Thanks for all of your advice!

03-03-2007, 08:07 PM	#1
goldenboy Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 11	Canister Filters Does anyone use or know if the Rena filstar XP2 canister filter is worth using? I don't really have room for a full "wet-dry" system in the traditional sense and I was curious if a canister filter is an acceptable alternative. I currently have a 65gal reef that I am just now setting up and curing LR in. Any help would be appreciated.

03-03-2007, 08:44 PM	#3
chase33 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 631 Images: 21	I agree with Ziggy. The canister is not required. Skimmer and LR will do the job. __________________ C/

03-04-2007, 01:31 PM	#6
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 12,692 Images: 80	I also agree with LR and a skimmer. As far as the bio wheel I would remove the wheel and just use it to run GAC and extra water flow at the surface. Welcome to AA. We are glad you are here. __________________ View My Tanks http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...8/melosu58.jpg Click here to Visit FantasyReef

03-04-2007, 02:17 PM	#7
MT79 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: philadelphia. PA. Posts: 2,653 Images: 23	Mechanical filtration generally is not good for reef setups. But, as the others have pointed out, it is always a good idea to have somewhere to run a chemical medium such as GAC or a PO4 reducer. __________________ Mike

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03-03-2007, 08:12 PM	#2
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,915 Images: 5	WELCOME TO AA!!!!!! I don't know the filter very well but if you have enough LR and a HOB skimmer you will be fine. You will need a skimmer if you are going to have a reef with corals...

03-04-2007, 08:13 AM	#4
goldenboy Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 11	Thanks for your help and for the welcome. I do have a HOB skimmer with approx 75 lbs of LR as well as a HOB biowheel 400 filter. I've been viewing this site for some time now and now that I'm up and running, I wanted to join. You have a great site and offer excellent advice. Thanks again.

03-04-2007, 01:26 PM	#5
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,915 Images: 5	The HOB biowheel is probably going to create more problems then it will help solve. I would suggest not using it unless you need to run GAC for some reason and then just have it at the ready when that time comes.

03-05-2007, 12:06 PM	#8
jwburleson97 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: new smyrna beach, fl Posts: 47 Images: 3	Hi, I'm new to this site and I had the exact question as goldenboy. Right now I'm curing 70 lbs of fiji LR in a 55 gal new tank. I have a protein skimmer running full blast and a skilter filter with carbon and a polyfilter in it. So would this be ok to keep running? Thank you for your expertise!

03-05-2007, 01:04 PM	#9
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,915 Images: 5	WELCOME TO AA!!!!! Like we said with Goldenboy, if you have enough LR and a skimmer you don't need additional filtration. Add about 20-30 pounds of LR to what you have and keep the skimmer going in your tank. Use the skilter with GAC only when you need it.

03-05-2007, 07:05 PM	#10
jwburleson97 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: new smyrna beach, fl Posts: 47 Images: 3	Thanks! You have no idea how happy you have made me and my wallet! (and I'm sure my husband will be happy). The LFS told me I had to have some sort of a filter (wet/dry, sump) so I bought one....why do they do that? Now I have to take it back. Thanks for all of your advice!

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