HOT skimmer/bio filter - now should I ditch the canister?

[RnBMum]

I just bought myself a CPR Bak Pak 2+ and will be picking it up tomorrow to replace a SeaClone piece of crap.

Now, my tank and stand will not accommodate a sump, so until now I have been running only a canister filter with fibrous pads, bio balls and ceramic biomedia in it. With the new skimmer coming, should I discontinue using the canister outright?

I have heard them referred to as "nitrate factories", and judging by personal experience, I believe it to be true.

If you'd suggest I keep the canister, even if just to contribute to flow, what should I use in it?

Also, I have a PhosBan reactor sitting with the rest of the equipment I am not using - would you recommend I get it up and running? I only have a 36 gallon tank - how much media should I have in it, and do you have a specific brand you would suggest?

Instead of setting up the reactor, might I be wise to put a bag of GFO or other media into the canister filter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sniperhank]

You can discontinue, but if you are rinsing out the canister weekly it shouldn't be a nitrate factory.
Keep the reactor. Reactors are much more effective at running media than a canister or any other means of media.

 

[Reefing Madness]

It doesn't become a Nitrate factory as long as you clean them weekly, thus removing the debre that collects and can cause it to be a nitrate factory.
I've been running a canister filter for years to help clean up my water, I've never run into a problem from it.
Run the reactor with GFO in it.
Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) Instructions - Instructions - Bulk Reef Supply