Canister filter

[Dive Girl]

Hi. I've just set up my first salt-water aquarium. I'm planning for it to be a reef-tank.

This is what I've got:
30 gal aquar.
protein skimmer
wave maker
2 powerheads
live rock (about 30#)
live sand (about 30#)

From what I've read, I should look at getting a canister filter so that my water is at the highest quality for inverts.

Is there a certain brand that I should be really looking at?

Is there such a thing as filteration over-kill?

Thanks! I love this site- I've been reading, and reading!

[The R/C Man]

Hi Mc and Welcome!

Well most people don't use canister filters in a reef tank and if they do it is usually for carbon only. The reason is they become nitrate traps. The detritis and other matter is trapped in the meadia and stays there until it is physically removed by the care taker. If it is not done very often then the water becomes increasingly "dirty". This can be very cost prohibitive if you need to change pads or media every couple days. So far you are on the right track. You could always add a refugium for additional filtration and/or add the scubber as SantaMonica discusses here: http://www.reefland.com/forum/tanks-...verything.html

[Dive Girl]

Thanks so much for the reply. I didn't go the canister route as my son was adamant that I shouldn't. I did put in an extra filter and instead of the media that came with it (sponge, bio-balls, and carbon) I put in some live rock. I'll be adding some macro-algae as well soon.