hey i was just wondering how often u guys clean and wash out ur canisters and how often u guys replace the bio media, ceramic, and filter floss...thnx in advanced..
canister filters
- Thread starter LA213
- Start date
Howdy,
Cleaning intervals vary greatly with the bioload and filter type. I had an Eheim 2228 on a community 80 gal tank, and I cleaned it once a year. I clean my Eheim 2211 on a 20 gal, stocked with only a couple of gouramis and Garras, about once every 9 months.
As a rule of thumb, longer cleaning intervals mean more complete biofiltration. If you have to clean a canister more often than every few months, you should consider an upgrade.
I never replace biomedia or ceramic tubes, I just rinse them out. I only dispose of old filter floss (with every cleaning). Many newer model filters (e.g. Eheim 2080) allow access to the filter floss without disturbing the biomedia. That allows even longer "main" cleaning intervals.
HarleyK
Cleaning intervals vary greatly with the bioload and filter type. I had an Eheim 2228 on a community 80 gal tank, and I cleaned it once a year. I clean my Eheim 2211 on a 20 gal, stocked with only a couple of gouramis and Garras, about once every 9 months.
As a rule of thumb, longer cleaning intervals mean more complete biofiltration. If you have to clean a canister more often than every few months, you should consider an upgrade.
I never replace biomedia or ceramic tubes, I just rinse them out. I only dispose of old filter floss (with every cleaning). Many newer model filters (e.g. Eheim 2080) allow access to the filter floss without disturbing the biomedia. That allows even longer "main" cleaning intervals.
HarleyK
Ditto
I never change my bio media. Its messed up that the manufacturers and LFS say you should. Its such a lie. If you change it, you loose all your beneficial bacteria and your tank will go through a small cycle again.
Just rinse out the sponges in a bucket of tank water when they get clogged and clean any gunk that accumulates near the impeller and inlet and outlet holes.
I never change my bio media. Its messed up that the manufacturers and LFS say you should. Its such a lie. If you change it, you loose all your beneficial bacteria and your tank will go through a small cycle again.
Just rinse out the sponges in a bucket of tank water when they get clogged and clean any gunk that accumulates near the impeller and inlet and outlet holes.
me too, I don't see the point in replacing bio media, it doesn't fall apart, or get clogged up so long as you have filter floss/sponges to trap all the crap.
I only drain the canisters once in a while and replace the floss.
Although harley, i do find the floss needs replacing more like once a month.
I only drain the canisters once in a while and replace the floss.
Although harley, i do find the floss needs replacing more like once a month.
never touch the ceramic or bio-media.. you will disturb the bioload. and if you every want to rinse it use the tank water not the tap water (you'll kill all the beneficial bacteria). I would change the mechanical filter, the chemical filter...depends. if it's chemi-pure i'll leave it. 
That is true in theory. However, I always rinse mine out with tap water, and I've never had any problems. Especially higher-end biomedia (e.g. Substrat Pro) have such a great surface area, that the short exposure to tap water does not reach and kill all bacteria. However, I have to add, I do not soak my biomedia in washing water. I hose them down with full tap pressure, and back into the filter pot they go.
The sponge filter in my 10 gal quarantine, on the other hand, only sees tank water
HarleyK
how would you guys go about cleaning your canisters? just rinse out all the media in dirty tnak water and thats it? and how often? is once a month not good enough? thnx in advanced
depends on what your stocking, tank size and other things. if you gave us some numbers it might be helpful...
what size tank?
what fish and their size?
what kinda canister do you have?
what size tank?
what fish and their size?
what kinda canister do you have?
125g chiclid tank fluval 404, wet/dry sump, and over hang filter.
During every weekly water change, I alternate changing the mechanical filters in one of the three filters. (Which means once every three weeks.) I rinse out the sponges in non-clorinated water, and replace the floss. I do not do anything to the ceramic bio. There seems to be a lot of fish-nasty stuff that needs to be cleaned out. Any less often would seem bad.
During every weekly water change, I alternate changing the mechanical filters in one of the three filters. (Which means once every three weeks.) I rinse out the sponges in non-clorinated water, and replace the floss. I do not do anything to the ceramic bio. There seems to be a lot of fish-nasty stuff that needs to be cleaned out. Any less often would seem bad.
I have 2 magnum 350's on my 90gal. I clean out each of my canisters every other month alternating. 1 the first month and the other the next. I use dechlorinated water, but not tank water cuz i vaccum my gravel and its too yucky.