2 things:
1. They need weekly cleanings (nitrates). Junk builds up quick in the
filter media and
2. They don't give you a good air/water exchange like a wet/dry filter.

In the long run it's nice to be able to export nutrient from the water
through natural means (macroalgae).

ChemiPure and Phosphate sponge get pretty expensive.

I used a Rena X3 on my old 30gallon FO tank no problems.
It was actually a nice filter for the price.
But if you're keeping corals, I'm sold on alternating daylight
photosynthesis
with Chaetomorpha macroalgae (refugium setup)



"Susan" wrote in message
...
Why not canister filters? Is it because of the nitrates being high with
them? What other filtration is best?

Susan
"TheRock" wrote in message
news:uE88g.5186$re6.2318@trndny04...
http://www.reefkeeping.com/
Look at the tanks of the month section. There are many nice ideas.
Sand Yes...Canister Filter BIG NO !!!
Besides the Reverse Daylight Photosynthesis Refugium w/Protein skimmer is
the
latest and greatest...if you have the room.

Lastly I always consult / read wetwebmedia.com first...Love the site !






"Cindy" wrote in message
. com...
Hey guys,
I'm setting up a new tank with a friend. I know a lot, and he knows a
lot, but neither of us has set up a tank in years. Now I know that
there are many new ways of doing things.....but he knows how he's done
it before, and that's how he wants to do it. For example, he went and
bought a bag of crushed coral, and I want to use sand. He wants a
canister filter on it, I'd rather do without the filter.

I've been looking for a site with up-to-date information on where to
start before we get any further, so I can be tactful about this and not
just take over, since it's my tank in my house. Thanks for your help.

Cindy