Canister Filter

I have an extra cannister filter since I installed an overflow box and fuge. I was thinking of using it to possibly run carbon or phos zorb.

Do any of you have extra canister filters and if so what do you use them for?

I dont want to leave it sit unused if I could potentially use it to better my system.

 

I have several extra canisters laying around (3 actually) – I recently posted that I had a rather sizable ell pass and an ugly ammonia spike, I pulled out the extra canisters and fixed the problem handily. No worries about having spare parts laying around – but I don’t suggest using them unless needed.

Over use of carbon can be detrimental to your tank so be carful. If it aint broken, don’t fix it – that really does apply to our systems.

If you are not already running some carbon I think you should, how much depends on your system - all tanks are different. I suggest running a small amount to start and seeing how it goes.

 

I use to have carbon in the canister filter that was my main filtration. Now I have none since I have removed the canister filter. What other options do I have to introduce carbon back into my system via my sump ?

 

Carbon works best when water is forced to flow through it rather than around it. If you were to place a carbon bag in your sump you will derive very little benefit from it. I suggest you use the canister filter and continue to run carbon – that doesn’t mean that you should fill the canister with all it can hold….too much is a bad thing.

 

i used a piece of 2.5 in PVC to set upright in my sump. i put some support about 1" up in it so i could place some carbon in. then my return line runs into the large PVC and gravity pulls the water through the carbon. Just another option if you have the room in your sump

 

Whenever I run carbon in the sump of my 100g reef (which isn't that often) I put carbon inside a filter sock and hook it on the pipe leading to the sump.

 

Kewl thanks.. Since carbon removes chlorine and I dont have an ro/di system I usually fill up a couple 5g buckets with tap water and let em sit for a few days before I do a water change. Technically the water should be free of chlorine by then anyway right? I know its not the best idea to use tap water with phosphates and stuff but I dont have the cash flow for the ro/di yet. Hopefully soon.

 

I would add a water conditioner just to be safe. If there is some chlorine left, it can do a lot of damage before the carbon gets a chance to absorb it. Doesn't take much chlorine to kill off the bacteria in your tank.

 

I agree add some water conditioner to it. As for the carbon. I run a phosban 150 and it works great.. Might cost you $50 for the reactor and the pump.

 

I just turned my eheim canister filter into a gravel vac. I have a crushed coral substrate that I vacuum to keep it clean. I got tired of only vacuuming out 10g at a time when I did water changes so I packed the filter with various filter pads and now I can vacuum for hours and keep the crushed coral looking nice and white.