Cannister Filter On Saltwater?

[downy14]

Hey Im currently running a Eheim 80 gallon cannister filter on my 55 gallon fish only with live rock tank. My nitrates aren't to high or anything but they are definatly present in my tank. I've heard that cannisters can be nitrate factories and my question is do you think I should continue to run this cannister or maybe I could take out all the media and throw some live rock rubble or even run it empty just for extra water flow??? ANY opinions would be great my lfs know less then I do...

Thanks...

 

[ronin_man]

well i have heard if you keep them really clean then can be good but also i have heard that even with just LR in them they can be nitrate factorys.
depends on who you ask, its a fairly touch and go subject.

 

[01yellowr]

you just have to make sure you give it a good cleaning once or twice a month and you should be fine

 

[metalyx]

I'd like to get some good advice on this one as well. I've got about 100lbs in my 60gal with a sump built onto the back but I have a fair amount of particle in the water. When we say clean it out often does that mean replacing the rotary filter sponge or just washing it?

I can't see any benefit to filling it with rubble that you would not get from just adding the rubble to the main tank though.

 

[downy14]

Ya but rubble is ugly lol and cheap and I figure if its in the cannister its out of the way and hidden providing further filtration...Also cleaning it, the media in my filter consists of 3 stages....Carbon then Eheim Substrate Pro which are like rock like balls, and then filter pad with rocks and another filter pad with rocks....How often should I be replacing the media???

 

[BIGgourami]

you just have to make sure you give it a good cleaning once or twice a month and you should be fine

more like weekly

 

[ronin_man]

this is more along the lines of what i have heard from people, some even say more that this...

personally i'd just stay away from it if there is a chance of building nitrates in the tank quicker than need be

 

[micstarz]

Take any activated carbon out for starters...

 

[Weylin]

I have a canister..that i used to clean after a month...and i had a major algae prob.. Now i clean once a week.. Its a bit of a pain.. I think a sump would be wayy better..