New 90 gallon saltwater tank wet dry or canister filter?

Question

I have a new 90 gallon this is my 4th tank. I want to get a wet dry filter for this 90 gallon but do not want to spend $250-$300 for one. I was thinking of getting a filstar XP4 canister filter instead. Do you think they are good for saltwater tanks? If anyone has anyother filter suggestions please let me know as well. This is a reef tank will have corals and inverts.

Answer 1

A wet/dry will give you the best in biological filtration, but they can be nitrate producers if not properly maintained. There's also a risk of flooding if the power goes out (if you don't maintain a water level that accounts for backflow; the filter can also be put above the tank to avoid this). The open top can also be a source of additional evaporation and pose a rish of shock with electrical equipment if plugs are nearby.

A canister doesn't give quite as good of biological filtration or aeration, so it would be best to use a protein skimmer along with this type.

Either type of filter would work for a reef tank. If you don't want the expense of a purchased wet/dry system, there are plans for a number of Do-it-Yourself systems on the web (which would cut down on the expense by at least 1/2 to 2/3 of the price of a new one). Just google DIY wet/dry filter.

Really, this decision will depend on your space, plumbing ability, and what you want to get out of the filter as much as efficiency and price.

Answer 2

A excellent alternative to a wet/dry,especially for a large reef tank would be a large protein skimmer. If it is of sufficient capacity it would be all the filtration you would need,and would not produce the vast amounts of Nitrate that a wet/dry or canister would produce. The cost might be a little high at first,but along with some power heads and switch gear to create a heavy surge it's all you would need. You will eventually wind up buying a protein skimmer anyway,so why not get a large one and be done with it. Do some research,and you will find that a protein skimmer will save money and livestock in the long run. I Hope this helps. Good luck.-----PeeTee

Answer 3

I reccomend a wet/dry. I know you don't want to spend the money, but that extra money you spend is going to be well worth it in the long run. I highly reccomend the eheim 2229, but for you tank you may want a higher rated model. It will not hurt you in any way to have a filter rated higher then your gallons, in fact I run two filters on all my tanks and my water quality issues have disappeared. Cannister is not bad at all, and if you don't want to spend money for the better rated filter, but want something reliable, I reccomend also the Biowheel's from Marineland.