New to canisters

[slippery slimecoat]

I have a 120 gallon tank with 2 AC110's and recently added a Marineland C-360. Can I take out the filter pads on the canister and just fill it with bio media and use my AC110's for mechanical filtration? If so, can I get away with cleaning the canister less often? Do you use bags of some sort for your media in your canisters? What media do you think is best for a canister?

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[rodger]

I use strictly bio media in all of cans. I only clean them once a year unless I have a reason to move one for some reason.

 

[duanes]

I find the biggest problem with canisters is that they are not cleaned out regularly.
Filtering a bunch of gunk into a canister may be taking it out of the tank, but all those metabolism byproducts are not out of the water, its kind of like sweeping dirt under a rug, the chemicals keep circling round and round.
Aesthetically taking particulate out sight is good for the viewer, but its the unseen chemical buildup that is the real danger to the fish. A buildup of gunk in bio-media or mechanical media is a nitrate factory.

 

[trace]

I find the biggest problem with canisters is that they are not cleaned out regularly.
Filtering a bunch of gunk into a canister may be taking it out of the tank, but all those metabolism byproducts are not out of the water, its kind of like sweeping dirt under a rug, the chemicals keep circling round and round.
Aesthetically taking particulate out sight is good for the viewer, but its the unseen chemical buildup that is the real danger to the fish. A buildup of gunk in bio-media or mechanical media is a nitrate factory.

+1. The best canister is the one you clean often. Sure the waste will break down more quickly in the can than in the tank, but they can only handle so much. I set mine up with ceramic rings followed by filter pads, and finally filled the rest of the way with my bio material. About 65% is bio. Different tanks and cans take different levels of maintenance but all my cans get cleaned at least once a month some more other than my 2262s on my 1400 which will go 2 months.


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[thrillbillie12]

I find the biggest problem with canisters is that they are not cleaned out regularly.
Filtering a bunch of gunk into a canister may be taking it out of the tank, but all those metabolism byproducts are not out of the water, its kind of like sweeping dirt under a rug, the chemicals keep circling round and round.
Aesthetically taking particulate out sight is good for the viewer, but its the unseen chemical buildup that is the real danger to the fish. A buildup of gunk in bio-media or mechanical media is a nitrate factory.

How often should they be cleaned then? I'm also new to using a canister filter, I have api xp3 xl running for two months now. I just cleaned it for the first time two weeks ago. Should it be once a month, once every two weeks, every week?

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[trace]

How often should they be cleaned then? I'm also new to using a canister filter, I have api xp3 xl running for two months now. I just cleaned it for the first time two weeks ago. Should it be once a month, once every two weeks, every week?

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What size tank, stock levels, water change frequency, and other filtration have to be factored in. I stock light, over filter and run hob's that the pads get cleaned weekly. I still service the cans at least once a month. Most of the time twice. Just keep an eye on how dirty they get and clean accordingly. Check them every two weeks for several months and if they consistently look clean enough to not clean them at that point, give them another week or two. Don't forget to check your water quality as well. If the nitrates start to climb faster than usually, clean the canisters. You can also rinse the pads out to prolong their replacement rate as well to cheapen things up. I don't feel it's worth it but I know people who do. Myself if I open a can, I'm cleaning it.


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[thrillbillie12]

What size tank, stock levels, water change frequency, and other filtration have to be factored in. I stock light, over filter and run hob's that the pads get cleaned weekly. I still service the cans at least once a month. Most of the time twice. Just keep an eye on how dirty they get and clean accordingly. Check them every two weeks for several months and if they consistently look clean enough to not clean them at that point, give them another week or two. Don't forget to check your water quality as well. If the nitrates start to climb faster than usually, clean the canisters. You can also rinse the pads out to prolong their replacement rate as well to cheapen things up. I don't feel it's worth it but I know people who do. Myself if I open a can, I'm cleaning it.


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72 gallon bowfront. One Oscar. One four line cat. One rainbow shark. Two Cory cats. Upside down catfish.

I usualy do two 25% wc a week.

In the can is one tray of filter pads and two trays of api chem stars, bio balls, and ceramic rings.

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[trace]

I'd clean it every other week. But really it's up to you. If some of the pads still look nearly new, keep running them and only replace the dirty ones. If it looks clean enough overall to leave alone, give it some more time. Every two weeks will be about right though with that stock. It just varies so much person to person because there are so many factors. How messy your fish are, brand if food fed and amount fed,ect ect. If all the pads look dirty, you've waited too long in my book. Hope that helps.


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[thrillbillie12]

Very helpful. Much appreciated.

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[duanes]

Agree with Trace, the more the better.
I must admit I've stopped using canisters, because they are (or were when I stopped) user friendly, as far as cleaning goes.
And out of sight out of mind made it too easy for me to ignore them.

I'd clean it every other week. But really it's up to you. If some of the pads still look nearly new, keep running them and only replace the dirty ones. If it looks clean enough overall to leave alone, give it some more time. Every two weeks will be about right though with that stock. It just varies so much person to person because there are so many factors. How messy your fish are, brand if food fed and amount fed,ect ect. If all the pads look dirty, you've waited too long in my book. Hope that helps.


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