Canister Filter Media?

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by closeyetfar, Jan 19, 2009.

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  1. closeyetfar

    closeyetfar Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2008
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    56
    I just got a canister filter for a great price. I was wondering what media should be used in them? It has 4 trays in it. I have 25 lbs of live rock and 30 lbs of live sand in my tank now. It is a 20 gallon long tank. Thanks in advance.
     
    closeyetfar, Jan 19, 2009
    closeyetfar, Jan 19, 2009
    #1

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  2. cuttingras

    cuttingras Starving Artist :)

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    Louisville, GA
    bump
     
    cuttingras, Jan 20, 2009
    cuttingras, Jan 20, 2009
    #2
  3. LCP136

    LCP136 Sailfin Tang

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    Aug 9, 2008
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    I Just use mine for water flow. I got talked into it by a bad LFS, but then learned from a good one that the media that comes with a canister filter becomes a nitrate factory. You can use it for physical filtration with a filter pad and chemical with carbon or something like that, but I wouldn't use the biological filtration that comes with it as it will cancel itself out by trapping decaying food and waste that would otherwise be skimmed out. Even though that media provides extra space for beneficial bacteria to grow, the trapped organic matter will cause more water pollution than the bacteria offset. I would return it if possible.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2009
    LCP136, Jan 20, 2009
    LCP136, Jan 20, 2009
    #3
  4. adam

    adam Montipora Digitata

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    I would return it.
    Adam
     
    adam, Jan 20, 2009
    adam, Jan 20, 2009
    #4
  5. Annie3410

    Annie3410 Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    do you have a sump, or is canister your only option. if you have a sump, or can drill or make an overflow, return the canister. if not, you can use the canister, it just needs to be cleaned religiously to keep nitrates from building. canisters do ok, but they get a really bad rap cause they are "outta sight outta mind." People set them up, then never clean them, then wonder why their nitrates are through the roof. I run the filter pads, carbon, and nitrate sponge in my canister. I ditched the bioballs as stated above. My nitrates have been steady at 0 for 8 months now on a 12 month old tank.
     
    Annie3410, Jan 20, 2009
    Annie3410, Jan 20, 2009
    #5
  6. closeyetfar

    closeyetfar Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2008
    Messages:
    56
    no option of a sump/fuge right now. with this being said I may just use it as a place for more water volume for my tank and something to provide some current in the tank. If i need to add something such as carbon, phosphate reactor, or anything of that nature I will add it. I got it for 30 bux from a friend brand new so its not all of a big loss to me. thanks for all the help everyone. If anyone else has any input they would like to had go ahead I will keep checking on this thread for new ideas. this whole saltwater hobby is new to me so I am trying to learn as much as possible.
     
    closeyetfar, Jan 20, 2009
    closeyetfar, Jan 20, 2009
    #6