Set up questions

[rod_james02]

I have a 100 gal saltwater tank that is going through it's 2nd week of cycling, I have 2 xp3 canister filters & my LFS said that I don't need a protein skimmer until cycling is done but I was wanted to get one now just in case. Does anyone have recommendations as far as what brand/type of skimmer would be best for my setup? And I was wondering if my setup so far is a decent setup & is there any recommendations on how to make it better?

 

[Waddi]

First of all get rid of your canister filters, unless you clean them every 3-4 days, they will build up nitrates.
Second, do you have a sump??
A good brand of skimmers that are inexpensive, are Octopus skimmers, you dont really need a skimmer if your doing weekly water changes, but i stil do advise it, it just keeps your tank that much more clean.
generally, you want a skimmer that is rated double your tanks capacity, and you can put a skimmer on a tank, even if its cycling or not pretty sure.

 

[rod_james02]

I don't have a sump, eventually I would like to get one but since got the canister filters with the tank when my friend sold me the tank that's what I had to work with. At the moment I am only planning a FOWLR but as I get more knowledge in reefing I want to move to getting coral as well. As of right now I am planning on cleaning the filters once a week since thats what I was stuck with. My LFS said all I need to start was saltwater, the filters & patience. But I went ahead and bought 100lbs of sand 50/50 live & dry. And I bought 40lbs of rock 10 live/30 dry.

 

[fastrd400]

Of you get a skimmer now, you would need an external or hang on, neither of which may be to your liking once you get a sump. Your best bet, is to search for a sump on Craigslist, then determine what skimmer you want after that.

 

[sen5241b]

First of all get rid of your canister filters, unless you clean them every 3-4 days, they will build up nitrates.
Second, do you have a sump??
A good brand of skimmers that are inexpensive, are Octopus skimmers, you dont really need a skimmer if your doing weekly water changes, but i stil do advise it, it just keeps your tank that much more clean.
generally, you want a skimmer that is rated double your tanks capacity, and you can put a skimmer on a tank, even if its cycling or not pretty sure.

Do NOT get rid of your canister filters. Yes, they will become a nirate problem if you don't clean them every few days BUT they can be a life saver in an emergency situation. If you have a spike of some toxin, ammonia, copper, nitrites whatever, pack the canister with the right absorption media and run it for 48 hours.

 

[sen5241b]

Also, skimmers are NOT an absolute necessity. You may be able to get 'trates down to zero using other methods.

 

[Waddi]

Do NOT get rid of your canister filters. Yes, they will become a nirate problem if you don't clean them every few days BUT they can be a life saver in an emergency situation. If you have a spike of some toxin, ammonia, copper, nitrites whatever, pack the canister with the right absorption media and run it for 48 hours.

Maybe i should edit that, yes, by get rid, i mean take it off your tank.

 

[rod_james02]

Since I don't have a sump what would I use to replace the canisters?

 

[bcool22]

everyone hates canister Filters. I don't understand why everyone is anti-canister. I have a Fluval g6 and I am sorry but that filter is amazing. I am on my first cycle of my new tank and my nitrates are at 0 they spiked for a day or two and then are back to acceptable standards. You only need to clean the one filter every 14 days, not 2-3 days. I am Pro-Canister and ANTI-Skimmer. Everyone I have ever used has been $#%^

 

[rod_james02]

Alright cool, Im glad someone's having success with canisters. Now I am more confident in using mine & not worrying about my fish dieing.

 

[felixfish]

i have a double bio-wheel on our 20g reef tank. I just removed the bio-wheels them selfs, clean thoroughly, replace the filter cartriges every 3 wks, add mesh bags of carbon, and GFO and the water couldn't look better. Just my .02