An Interview with Sicce: Inside the New Mega Filtra Canister Filter
Canister filters have long been a controversial topic in reef keeping, but Sicce is aiming to change that. In this interview, Josh sits down with Jay from Sicce US to break down the design, technology, and real-world use cases behind the new Mega Filtra canister filter. From ultra-quiet operation and easy pre-filter maintenance to media capacity, flow control, and optional app-based control, we explore how Mega Filtra fits into modern saltwater aquariums. If you’ve written off canister filters in the past, this one might surprise you.
If you'd rather read than watch, you’ll find the full interview below in an easy-to-follow Q&A format.
Interview Q&A
Q: Why did you decide to introduce the Mega Filtra, and what gap were you trying to fill for reef and saltwater aquariums?
A: We’ve had canister filtration going back 15 plus years with products like the Space Eko, the Whale, and the Space Eko Plus, but the Whale was old technology and that design was coming to the end of its run. When we looked at filling a gap, we asked what the maximum average large aquarium really is, and we landed around 170 gallons up to about 260 gallons. That’s where Mega Filtra came about. The goal was to make the largest, most powerful, most technologically advanced canister filter we could produce in our own factory and put a lot of what we learned through R&D into one unit.
Q: What makes the Mega Filtra different from older canister filters in terms of build and design?
A: We get feedback from all over the world, and negative feedback is what helps you grow. Mega Filtra is not just regular plastic, it’s reinforced plastic. We used sound dampening materials in the bottom of the bucket, in our resin in and around the pump, and in the pump itself. We looked at durability, longevity, and it being ultra quiet as a design implementation, not just an afterthought.
Q: What design choices were “baked in” specifically with saltwater aquariums in mind?
A: It needs to fit in virtually everyone’s setup, whether it’s under the aquarium or to the side, it needs to look as good as it can look, and it needs to be a size that will work, even up to 260+ gallons while still fitting under an aquarium. Quietness was also a priority. The reinforced bottom bucket has resin built into it. Instead of rubber sound dampeners, we use foam sound absorption for vibration, and we double-lined resin inside the pump chamber. Then there’s the pre-filter at the top, which needs to be quickly accessible. You shouldn’t have to pull the canister all the way out and turn it into a big chore. You can access the pre-filter from the top with a push and turn.
Q: How does the pre-filter work, and what should people know before opening it?
A: The pre-filter is designed to be easy. We recommend unplugging the canister, or powering it down, but if you forget the main focus is you have to lift the water stoppage. If you don’t, water is going to pour out when you open it. It’s basically pressing the button, opening it, doing maintenance, putting it back in, and you’ll hear an audible click. The red safety button was added so someone doesn’t accidentally open it the wrong way, whether that’s a visitor or a child.
Q: Can you explain how the multi-level filtration works inside the Mega Filtra?
A: Water flows through the pre-filter tray first, then goes down into the canister and back up through the baskets. On the 650 there are two baskets. You get foam around the baskets to help with biological filtration, different PPI ratings in each basket, and then media like carbon, which it comes with. You can also add zeolite-style media. The point is maximum contact with as little bypass as possible, back up through all of the media, and then back into the aquarium. You get lots of biological space and strong contact time, which helps create a more stable environment.
Q: Is it easy to run traditional reef media like carbon or GFO in this?
A: Yes. People say canisters are nitrate factories, but that’s a maintenance issue, not a design flaw. Anything could be a nitrate factory if you don’t maintain it. These can also be a really efficient media factory. You can load it with carbon or GFO in the baskets below, and you can even add media in the pre-filter area if you want something to happen before water hits the other media.
Q: How do you respond to the “canisters are nitrate factories” argument?
A: It’s not the case if it’s maintained. It’s a maintenance issue, not a design flaw. Anything can become a nitrate factory if it doesn’t get cleaned. The canister can also be used as a much bigger, more efficient place to run media, which a lot of people overlook.
Q: Why is a canister like this useful even if it’s not someone’s primary filtration method?
A: Even if you love a sump, not every aquarium can have one. Some people don’t want all the extra items crowding the tank area. This can be set up with inline UV as well, so you can have a whole filtration and treatment setup in one item. And if you’re done using it for one purpose, you can remove it, move it, or keep using it to push the tank to the next level.
Q: How does Mega Filtra handle flow rate and turnover, and why does that matter?
A: People talk about 10x, 15x, 20x turnover, but filtration usually has a maximum rate and it’s often around four to six times. That’s what supports a stable biological colony. With a canister, it’s a closed environment and you can adjust flow easily. On the 650 and 900, it’s plus or minus rotation on the rear dial. Every aquarium is different, so you have to be able to adjust flow. You can also rotate the outlets directionally, and there’s a spray bar option for wider surface flow and gas exchange.
Q: What is the SDC model and what does the Wi-Fi control add?
A: The SDC line adds Wi-Fi control so you can adjust it from a controller or the app. You can do it anywhere in the world. It gives you real-time data like aquarium temperature from the canister, reminders for when to change media, and you can scan media barcodes to track when it went in. It also supports voice activation through common voice assistants. It’s another level of adjustment, refinement, and data for people who want that.
Q: Why is app-based control valuable compared to traditional valves?
A: Being able to scale flow down remotely and target specific goals is a big advantage. Add an inline UV and now you can adjust flow precisely from the app for things like ultra clear water or parasite management, and you can see percentages and settings easily.
Q: Canister filters get criticized for maintenance. How maintenance-friendly is Mega Filtra?
A: Canister filters are misunderstood. With the pre-filter, you cut the maintenance time down a lot because you’re mostly just cleaning that top section. If you want a second pre-filter ready to go, you can swap it out in about five minutes or less. For full maintenance, no tools are required. If you can pop off four clips, pull baskets out, and drop media back in, you can be done in less than 10 minutes. You don’t even need to fill it back up with water. Plug it in, water starts flowing, and your ATO should top the tank off.
Q: Who is this best suited for?
A: People who want quiet, people who aren’t comfortable with plumbing, people who want UV sterilization in a smaller form factor, or anyone who wants an all-in-one filtration approach without overthinking it. You add the media you want, put it where it needs to be, connect it, control the flow, and you’re done. If that sounds like you, that’s canister filtration.
Q: Can you still keep demanding corals like SPS with a canister filter setup?
A: Yes. You can grow any coral you want, even SPS. Canister filtration has a place and it’s very effective if you use it properly. If you neglect it, you’ll have problems just like neglecting anything else.
Q: What are some smaller design details people might not notice at first?
A: The carry handle is reinforced so it doesn’t flex, and it was added because people wanted something solid to grab when pulling a canister out. The clips are reinforced and have a slight sheen. There’s a see-through window so you can see the impeller, and the impeller locks in. There’s also a feature that automatically purges air over time without you having to intervene. The priming button is designed to be easy to press, and it doesn’t take a lot of pressure. The bucket has resin, sound dampening foam placement, and a massively thick O-ring.
Q: Do the different models share the same physical size?
A: The 650 is the smaller one. The 900 and the 950 SDC are physically the same size.
Q: What was shown regarding clear add-ons and why were they developed?
A: Some hobbyists want as little visual clutter in the tank as possible, especially higher-end planted tanks and SPS tanks where they want it to look beautiful. Traditional brackets and equipment are visible and not as clean-looking. So an add-on kit was designed to be affordable, durable, and provide a clear aesthetic without the cost and risk of glass. It’s meant for people who care about aesthetics.
Q: Is Mega Filtra available now, and how can people get help if they have questions?
A: Yes, it launched on the website today. If people have questions, they can reach out and we will respond. Sometimes you may need to tag us so we see it, but we do respond.
Looking for replacement sponges or media for the Mega Filtra? Check out our Sicce Filtration category!
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