BackReefer

Return it or sell it and buy more live rock with two skimmers on a 40 breeder you should not need a filter.if you have properly cycled the tank.And don't overstock it.But i do like a good dump in the morning.If you really want to use the canister filter use seachem matrix.but i would not waste my time with a canister filter do you have any power heads in this tank

Okay, sumpmonkey, my landlord looked at a sump and said no. That leaves me with my 40 breeder, 2 remora skimmers, 2 hydor evo circ pumps on timers, 50 lbs. of LR. I put a HOT mag on occasionally for clearer, but 70% of the time it is LR and skimmers. Thought that the FX5 could create flow minus the heat of circ pumps. I am in the process of switching out my 4 T5s and T8 actinic for a 250w MH pendant.I keep stonies and softies right now.

Okay, sumpmonkey, my landlord looked at a sump and said no. That leaves me with my 40 breeder, 2 remora skimmers, 2 hydor evo circ pumps on timers, 50 lbs. of LR. I put a HOT mag on occasionally for clearer, but 70% of the time it is LR and skimmers. Thought that the FX5 could create flow minus the heat of circ pumps. I am in the process of switching out my 4 T5s and T8 actinic for a 250w MH pendant.I keep stonies and softies right now.

So, instead of critically being against it, open your mind and let's figure out the best way for it to work. Be positive and I know a sump would be ideal. Working with what I got

Wow don't take things so personally it sounds like this tank has been running great if you have it all stocked up with corals.the lighting upgrade will be awesome but make sure you avoid over exposure by acclimating your tank to the new light source.I hope i have this wrong but it sounds like your are going to use the FX5 in place of the evo power heads.And the way you have them set on timers is much better for diverse flow patterns.The problem with canister filters is you need to clean them every few days to prevent nitrate build up.If you want to use it go ahead it's your tank put sponges or pads in the first few chambers and use the SEACHEM MATRIX in the last chamber.But i will tell you from my experience it gets old real quick pulling apart a filter every 3 or 4 days to clean/change pads been there done that blah.I would hang my metal halide pendant 12/14 inches above the waters surface add a clip on fan for heat dissipation put more live rock in the display keep my power heads on timers and continue using the hot magnum when needed and call it a day.we run 75+ lbs of live rock in our 40 breeder display tank.what size power heads are you running.I would just hate to hear you changed everything around and were not still getting good results.The FX5 would be an awesome filter in a fish only with live rock tank.But like i said it's your tank and we all get the urge to tinker.But after 20+ years in this hobby I've learned to just leave somethings alone if aint broke don't fix it
have a good day happy tanks to ya
Another additional thought would you have the room for a hang on tank refugium they are great for a little extra kick in the water cleaning department with a little macro algae they work wonders

Hi BackReefer. The FX5 could be used for a number of things, even as a reactor for carbon or phosphate remover... so I don't think it is a bad choice when you don't have the option of a sump.

I would think you at least want the filter pad to mechanically remove any larger particulates that the remora skimmers cannot remove (but the chore of keeping it clean is a hassle). The other layers could be used depending on your situation. You may run carbon one week, then a phosphate remover when necessary. The other layers do not need to be "full time" if you are using the filter for additional circulation. If you want some help with the biological filtration, so you don't have to stuff your tank with rocks, a bacteria friendly layer (bioMax I believe is what they call it) might be a good idea.

Your landlord will let you have a tank, but did not approve your sump? That's a bummer. I never heard of a landlord micromanaging what someone can or cannot have on an aquarium (other than approve or disapprove of the entire project). Hopefully he/she does not start nixing certain fish or corals! ;-)

Let us know what you decide on the filter media. Pics would be a treat too!

yea i would run it like a reactor not a filter, you could maybe put a sponge on the intake that would be easier to clean every few days than tearing the filter a part and would keep larger particals out of the media.

When I was a kid, my dad's aquarium (fish only, with decor) was run with a canister filter that WE had to disassemble monthly to clean it. It was a lot of floss and carbon. Fast forward 30+ years, I'm sure it's easier to clean.

My 55g came with two Magnum 350 HOT canister filters and a huge chiller. Turns out the previous owner's reef was running hot. The source of the heat was the canister filters. When I set it up, I only ran one for a while and the temperature dropped a few degrees. When I removed it as well, it was around 78-79F. I added MH later and the tank warmed up but cooling fans resolved that. My point is that a canister filter can add heat to the system, so watch closely for that.

Odds are the manager saw a canister filter as a much safer way to contain water, which makes sense. An open sump, especially one that is poorly designed to hold water in a power outage, would damage the dwelling (and any beneath) somewhat.

Thanks for all the feedback. Just frustrated having to micro manage due to a landlord. Okay, so hooked up FX5 this morning with media from previous mag and circular tubes but running it empty for the most part. Update soon

What would be best way of making it a calcium reactor? This is embarrassing but how do I post pics?

What would be best way of making it a calcium reactor? This is embarrassing but how do I post pics?

When you create a new blog post, you will see a picture frame above the editor box. Click on that to share images from your computer. Preferably images 640 x 480 if possible. Not 5 meg images! You can also upload images to Photobucket for free, and share them from that site on this site.