setting up filtration

[new2natives]

like i say, canisters are all nwe to me. so i dont know what is in it

basically a chunk of rock? and the circular screen ...
i will take it to a LFS and have them tell me what its missing, unless its easier than that?

 

[johnptc]

. its good to keep two of the same filter so one isn't working harder.

how could this be true ????

 

[johnptc]

i am setting up a 180 freshwater tank this week
i plan on using 2 HOB filters, and a canister. its a eheim 2217, which is good upto like 110 gallons, and the HOB are 50g each, so i will have enough filtration

as far as the canister though, i have never used one, so i have some questions. it is used, and i got it from a coral farm, so it has been used in salt water.
do i need to do anything to prepare it for freshwater? do i need to get a new insert for it? and if not, how do you know when a canister is ready to be "cleaned" or changed?

** i havent even opened it up or anything, so i may be able to figure it out myself once i tear it apart . i just thought i would ask people with more experience

hard to have too much ...easy to have too little filtration

 

[Bderick67]

Below are the four layers of media needed for the 2217, using the the carbon or chemical pads are optional.

http://www.aquariumguys.com/eheimcanister4.html

EHFIMECH should be used at the bottom suction area. It provides mechanical filtration. Next is a Coarse Filter Pad. The next layer of EHFISUBSTRAT will act as the main biological filter medium. The substrate's high porousity is ideal for bacteria colonization and ensures unbeatable long term decomposition of Ammonia and Nitrites. Next is a Fine Filter Pad and a carbon pad. Chemi-pure can be used as a replacement for the Carbon Pad for chemical filtration (10oz per 50 gallons) for freshwater aquariums. Depending upon the desired water quality, the layers of filter media can be increased. Specific water treatment can also be achieved with an individual filter media arrangement.

If you can't find the eheim media for your filter;

As a substitute for ehfimech you could use Fluval brand "Prefilter".

The coarse filter pad could be replaced by using any coarse foam pad or sponge, as long as it was cut to exact dimension to allow no bypass.

For the ehfisubstrat(your biological media) Hagan/fluval "Biomax" would be a good choice.

For the final filtration pad you can just get some of the blue polyfiber and cut it to size.