Canister filter

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008.

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  1. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Guys i have a eheim canister filter and i am having a problem with film algea. They guy at the lfs told me to remove the biological media in it and run only carbon in it. Does this make sense? he said to just let the live rock filter the water? I dont have space for a sump so i dont know what to do at this point. The other thing he suggested is phosphate reactor, does it actually work in getting algea under controll?
     
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    #1

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  2. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    i think he gave you good advice, when i ran a canister filter i used it for carbon or phosban only. yes a phosphate reactor with good media in it will make a significant dent in a algae problem, but you need to try to figure out why you have algae in the first place. a small amount is unavoidable sometimes but if you have a "major" problem something is probably causing it.

    but if you just set up the tank you can expect some different types of algae to appear
     
    sostoudt, Oct 31, 2008
    sostoudt, Oct 31, 2008
    #2
  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Not really sure I can help with the chem questions. I don't use either of the two that you mentioned. I would look into finding the food source for your algae issues first and then look into possible solutions. Frequency of feeding, filter manitenance, overstocking, water changes etccccc.....
    I would suggest getting this squared away before adding a new fish to your tank.
    Mandarin - Page 2 - 3reef Forums
    Something as simple as adding a boxfish to a stressful situation could cause bad results.
     
    missionsix, Oct 31, 2008
    missionsix, Oct 31, 2008
    #3
  4. Crabby Jim

    Crabby Jim Sea Dragon

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    (1) that is a pretty good canister filter as far as I know I would do what the lfs guy said and use it more like a carbon reactor that should work just remember to change the carbon and filter pads otherwise it will be a nitrate factory
    (2) a phosphate reactor is a really good idea they are very effective and pretty cheap to buy and operate and you will be able to hang it on the back of your tank if you get the 2 little fishies one like I have I have it hanging on my sump.
    (3) get your self some good snails they should eat that film algae in no time if you get enough good ones.
     
    Crabby Jim, Oct 31, 2008
    Crabby Jim, Oct 31, 2008
    #4
  5. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Thanks for the advice, so now what do i do to remove the biological media from it? remove it all at once? I have almost 40 pounds of rock in a 26 gallon tank, so if i would remove it would it even dent anything with parameters? I havent changed the filter pads since i started the tank(2 months ago) . I have done two water changes (1 week apart) i have the phosphates to less than 1ppm and nitrates are 5ppm. this algea has been there for almost 3weeks now. i tried the lights, slowing down on food, vacuming.
     
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
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  6. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    i would take half out first then watch you parameters for a couple days to be safe, then if its ok take out the rest
     
    sostoudt, Oct 31, 2008
    sostoudt, Oct 31, 2008
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  7. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    what im trying to get rid of

    [​IMG]
     
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    #7