[banditpowdercoat]

It's not the canister filter thats the problem, it's the foam/sponges. I have run, and know of others who run canisters on a reef tank. Take out the foam, use the canister for carbon, maybe even Phosphate remover, and put some rock rubble in the canister. Works good then. I know others who don't even use a canister. Leah, on here is one example. Just Hang on back skimmer and powerheads. her tanks are gourgous. Nice and clean, and colorful. It's the foam, or BioBalls that do the harm. In freshwater, the surface area is good but not so in a Reef.

The thing about Reefing, is you can make it as simple or as elaborate(and expensive) as you want.