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redleader 
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Joined: August 22 2012
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 Topic: Canister Filter filtration?
Posted: December 16 2014 at 9:34am |
I was just wondering if any of you use canister filters for filtration, and if you do what types of media are you running?
Thanks in advance for your input.
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 10:54am |
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I do on some systems. No media, just filter floss. It's a pain to keep changing, but they work great.
Adam
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Pete Moss
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 11:19am |
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At the end of the day, filtration is forcing water through filter media. Be that a sump, a canister filter, or a hang on the back filter.
Canister filters are a kind of mini sump in a way. All sorts of media can be used in a canister filter. Replacing and keeping that filter medium clean is the difficult part of a canister filter.
My recommendations are carbon, phosban ( if you're having troubles with algae ), high quality filter floss ( so it doesn't degrade ) and rubble rock. Adding some rubble rock adds nitrifying bacteria to the system, which never hurt anyone. On smaller tanks I've sometimes run a canister filter as a cryptarium, I filled the canister filter with nothing but rubble rock to help keep the tank stable and avoid crashes by increasing the amount of rock and water in the system.
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 1:02pm |
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Agree!
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 6:58pm |
I believe the best answer depends on its intended purpose.
Canister filters add practically nothing to water flow within the tank.
If it is intended to filter particulates and provide a housing for AC(Activated Carbon) and AA(Activated Alumina, it must be opened and cleaned at least every two weeks, otherwise the canister can become a bad source of Nitrates.
The decision to use this unit should be considered as it pertains to the other filtration. Did you know that, combined with AC and AA, biofiltration can effectively perform all the filtration a reef aquarium needs. Biofiltration grows in the LS, LR, Algae and LW. Biofiltration is bacteria, bugs and worms combined with algae growth everywhere in the tank.
Setting up a reef aquarium to encourage the effective growth of biofiltration practically eliminates the need for the pipes, plumbing and tanks of external filtration. Feel free to visit MarksReef Coral Farm to discover how.
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ReefdUp
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 9:07pm |
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If you already have one...sure. But they're quite expensive compared to alternatives (sumps, reactors, HOB, etc).
And for the record, I'm against AA.
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Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
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superman1981
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Posted: December 16 2014 at 11:31pm |
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I used one on my sumpless 125 gal for 3 years and it worked great. I kept filter floss and carbon in it. I chose to use it because I was living in a 3rd floor condo and the idea of having a sump and possible floods freaked me out.
It was definitely more work than a sump, harder to change media, less storage capacity, etc., but I'd absolutely do it again if a sump didn't make sense with my setup.
My first setup used an Aqua Clear HOB and I LOVED it. It was way easier to clean than the canister. I'd definitely use one of those again as well. In fact, I really regret selling it.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 17 2014 at 6:25am |
I agree, a HOB filter is way easier to use and maintain and is less prone to trouble than a canister filter. On sumpless tanks, I often use undersized HOB filters without floss cartridges just to run small bags AC and AA.
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