Can someone explain to me why canister filter works wonders for freshwater but not so much for saltwater?

[Sophie"s mom]

Recently received an 72 Gallons UNS setup from a friend and it comes with the Oase Biomaster 600 Thermo (pre-filters and thermometer included). Granted I already have a 25G IM AIO saltwater tank and 20G AIO UNS freshwater tank currently running.

So this new tank will be a nice upgrade for either. But I can't decide between making it freshwater or saltwater tank. I heard canister filters are generally not good for saltwater but not quite understand why.

I run my 90 gallon off of a Oase 600 biomaster canister filter! They are amazing filters.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

I am resetting and restarting my reefing journey. I also have a Fluval FX4 with a 200litre tank. What media do you run in which sections

Running the sponge filters in their original locations. In the media baskets, a mix of ceramic rings and Seachem Matrix.

I used to run some carbon, but I have GFI and Carbon reactor now.

 

[Daniel Doherty]

I run a fluval on my 40 also a hang off the back skimmer. I cannot remember everything I put in the canister charcoal, ammonia remover,phosphate remover, obviously media. Since I cleaned and reloaded,and changed to one different thing which is what I can't remember. I have not had to clean algae off the glass in 3 months. Coralie algae is growing for the first time in about30 years

How often do you have to change the gfo?

 

[Sleeping Giant]

My 75 gallon tank running with an FX4 and HOB Aquamax skimmer for 5 years.
Canisters are fine.
Take a look at my build thread.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Canisters make the tank noise almost nonexistent too

 

[Freenow54]

Really nice I worked in Thunder Bay years ago for reliance through the flood and that summer. I did not realize there was a saltwater store there

 

[Freenow54]

How often do you have to change the gfo?

Sorry GFO?

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Really nice I worked in Thunder Bay years ago for reliance through the flood and that summer. I did not realize there was a saltwater store there

there isn't a saltwater store

 

[Daniel Doherty]

O

Sorry GFO?

Sorry I should be more clear. Gfo is granular ferric oxide - which is the phosphate remover! I’m adding some today and wondering how much you add to your canister and how often do you change it roughly!

 

[Freenow54]

O

Sorry I should be more clear. Gfo is granular ferric oxide - which is the phosphate remover! I’m adding some today and wondering how much you add to your canister and how often do you change it roughly!

I don't target any individual media. I sometimes let it go for months as I have found that it does not build up with solids in the first sponge stage. I watch for any changes in the coral they will always give you a warning. I suppose I am being complacent

 

[Freenow54]

So I checked I use Fluval and they recommend every 4 weeks. Thanks for asking will have to change my habits

 

[Freenow54]

Their bag contains about a cup

 

[Freenow54]

I made my own hang off the back as well based on a Fluval. The reason was because they changed their design. I used the original body but had to add a new motor, and adapt my own input, and output using their new Larger motor assembly

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

They have a nice tank on canisters at the LFS, tank looks great. I think it is all in who is in control. I don't know much yet, but it seems plausible. Give it a shot!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I found removing the foam, removed my gha, coincidence? possibly

 

[Freenow54]

I found removing the foam, removed my gha, coincidence? possibly

Sorry what is GHA ?

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Sorry what is GHA ?

Green Hair Algae

 

[Freenow54]

Green Hair Algae

Thanks hope I never get that back again. However I found it very strange that I have the very same media in two filters that are the same one on my 40 the other on my 90 with a 40 sump. The small one no green algae lots of coralline. The large tank still getting green algae on glass that I have to clean off, and maybe it is hair algae on my power heads and outlets for my system pump from the sump. I will try that next time I change my media

 

[jft]

I have run reef tanks for over 30 years with EHEIM CANISTERS AND A HANGON SKIMMER works VERY WELL for me, two 125 gallon tanks over 30 years since 1980 s!

 

[Freenow54]

I have run reef tanks for over 30 years with EHEIM CANISTERS AND A HANGON SKIMMER works VERY WELL for me, two 125 gallon tanks over 30 years since 1980 s!

Hey so how is your algae situation? I really want to resolve this if I can. Only difference between the tanks is age and the small one has lots of mushroom coral