Would it be a good idea to add a medium-large sized canister filter to my 29gal seahorse tank? I think that i would be able to put the inlet and return lines in the back of the tank (biocube) where it wouldnt directly raise the water flow. Ive got sooo much algae/diatom on the sandbed and iv actually started to get hair algae. i need to do something!

Sound like a good idea?

best brand/type for my purpose?

best place to get online?

It sounds like a good idea but remember tat Canister Filters have a bad rap for being Detritus factories due to people not cleaning them on what I personally believe should be a 1 month basis. I actually have one that is practically brand new that I am selling for $175.00 which includes shipping. It's the Fluval FX5 Canister Filter. It's capable of handling up to a 400 gallon aquarium and I have used it for 2 months on my Reef Aquarium and Amonia Nitrates and Nistrates are 0.0 PPM across the board. You just have to clean it once a month and it's great because it has a valve for releasing water from beneth it so if you have tubing conducting water changes is a snap. It will increase your tank capacity by 5 to 7 gallons of water that it holds. Let me know if your interesed. It normall retails for the cheapest online at $229.00

Fluval Canister Filter
Fluval FX5 Canister Filter (http://www.aquatichobbyaquariumsupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=215445&click=35)

Added filtration can't hurt. What clean up crew do you have in there?

ive got various hermits, snails, 1 skunk cleaner, and 1 peppermint shrimp

jaybedriften, let me sleep on the price and ill get back to you.

Cyclura..... Sounds like a plan but sleep on this lower price $150.00. I'm always willing to help out a fellow Reef Keeper :up: and besides it's just going to collect dust in the corner of a room anyway. Get back to me when you make your decision.

What are the various snails?

turbos, astreas, cerinths

Do i have to worry about the water temps being raised because of the canister filter? They are already pushing 76 degrees and its not even very hot outside yet. My house doesnt get above 70 in the summer.

Cyclura..... The canister filter will not effect the temperature of your aquarium water due to the motor being seperated with the design unlike that of a powerhead where the entire aparatus is submerged in your aquarium water where the heat from the powerhead or multiple powerheads will start to become a concern.

the only concern i'd have with going TOO large on the canister would be flow. you don't wanna blow the SH all over the place. you can go with more flow than the "typical" 3x-5x turnover rate for a SH tank if you break it up with multiple returns, spraybars, etc.

Cyclura the outlet for the Flucal FX5 is a daul directional outlet and the output can be throttled down with level on the caniister for both the input and the output. I will post the photographs shortly.