[Todd L]

Ryan,
yeah....I've heard that cannisters can keep the nitrate levels high....sadly after I bought one though! Prior to the marineland I had one of those bio-wheel units.
Part of my problem is not really having the space for a sump. Eventually that's where I'll wind up going though prior to starting in with corals and such for sure.
Do you think the small algae tank I have on the back of my tank will help with the nitrate level though? I'm cleaning out the foam filters in the cannister every two weeks or so.

Anyway......right now there really is no budget for a skimmer as I'm currently unemployed......but when I do start working I'm thinking in the $200-$250 range. I'd like to get something that'd work for a larger tank if possible in that range so I won't have to worry about gettting another one down the road when I am able to get a larger tank.

Right now I'm kind of resigned to the fact that I am where I am with this one....it doesn't seem like my nitrate level is going to drop all that much below 20 it's sounding like with the cannister on there. If it is possible to tweak someting in order to help the levels I'd do it.....just that finances are tight right now.

Any advice you can give me though is greatly appreciated!

Todd