Bought canister filters... now I have a few questions

[Carefree_Dude]

I got canisters for my two smaller aquariums. I had some questions...

I added them with the old filters still running. how long until the canister is seeded and I can remove the old filters?

Whats the best way to clean canister filters? In one i accidentally did the trays in the wrong order, and opening it up was very wet to say the least...

Should I cut the tubing to be the minimum length I need?

Priming was very difficult. The pump on the filter was no help at all... I had to eventually just use a hose to force water into it. Is there an easier way to prime a canister?


I have the aquatop-CF500UV filters if that helps.

 

[J.Lake]

Yes cutting the tubing to a good length is smart. i run do cleanings on every other fx5 once a month. On a rotating basis. I rinse the canister with fresh water, keeping the media seperate. I rinse the media with tank water but not too much. I put her back together as quick as posible and fill her with tank water and call it done. Hopefully i have minimal bb die off. Thats one of the reason i keep 2 on every tank

 

[Oughtsix]

Priming most canisters for the first time is usually very easy. Put the Supply line into the tank then suck on the return line. I usually run my return line into my sump for a few minutes letting gravity help the can purge itself of air.

Leave a bit of slack in the tubes for future configuration changes.

 

[importracer]

I added them with the old filters still running. how long until the canister is seeded and I can remove the old filters?
Wait about a month.........If you can, leave the old filters on untill you reall y need them on a nother tank........

Whats the best way to clean canister filters? In one i accidentally did the trays in the wrong order, and opening it up was very wet to say the least...
The best way of cleaning out a canister is by leaving the biological layer alone...You want to clean this part once, maybe twice a year.........Clean the sponge part once a month............

Should I cut the tubing to be the minimum length I need?
Yes......

Priming was very difficult. The pump on the filter was no help at all... I had to eventually just use a hose to force water into it. Is there an easier way to prime a canister?
Do not be such a cry baby, you are in the aquarium trade, "WATER."