New Tank / Filter Questions

[dirtwrks77]

I have searched deep into the archive and found various opinions regarding canister filter's for Reef/Fish tanks. I recently purchased a 37 gallon tank, which I am currently cycling (Today is day 8 - Ammonia levels are rising). My set-up is as follows: 45 lbs. live rock, 40 lbs. live sand, AquaC Remora Hang on skimmer, Fluval canister filter (media includes sponge pads, bio-max ceramic rings, and active carbon packs), 3 power heads, and 1 heater.

My question concerns the Fluval filter. A lot of people seem to badmouth this form of filtration for reef tanks. Is it true that the filter needs to be cleaned daily???? Should I replace the media with foam pads???? Any information will be helpful. Thank you in advance.

Eric

 

[jandree22]

the problem with Canister filters is when you use the bio-media they can end up creating a lot of nitrates over time. since you have 45lbs of live rock, that's plenty to use as your bio filter.

I too have a fluval filter and use it for circulation. You can put carbon in it, but canister filters are a PITA to take apart and put back together... might be better off buying a $15 hang-on-back power filter to drop in some carbon if you wish.

if you havn't used it yet, I'd return the Fluval and buy a much cheaper HOB power filter to drop some carbon in. Definately stay away from the bio media... you simply dont need it with that Live Rock

 

[wickid4]

i have a smilmiler question i currently have a 10 gallon nano and thinking of upgrading to a 30 gallon and wonder what would be the best filteration a skimmer, or sump, or even a large hang on any help would be great

 

[dirtwrks77]

Thank you for the response. I have already started using the filter to cycle the tank, so I can not return it. Should I just replace all the media with foam pads? Is carbon suitable for corals?

It seems to me that using the filter for circulation would be a pretty expensive method compared to using some powerheads....... Thanks again for the info. Other opinions anyone?

 

[Chemical_Whore]

Live rock and Live sand should be your next thing to study, do some good reserch, they are really a great tool and will (or have for others) keep your tank alot heathier. Also looking into a refugium, and other method of filtration should be a step you can look into.

With all the HOT (Hang On Tank) stuff out there you should be able to lots of things so dont feel that you are kinda SOL now. Study study study, you will find 10 diffrent answers for your questions, but they are all right (most the time) just shows you how fickel this hobby really is.

 

[dark_stranger]

Thank you for the response. I have already started using the filter to cycle the tank, so I can not return it. Should I just replace all the media with foam pads? Is carbon suitable for corals?

It seems to me that using the filter for circulation would be a pretty expensive method compared to using some powerheads....... Thanks again for the info. Other opinions anyone?

Hi, I have also been having the similar conversation here...
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=64696

This may help you or simply cloud the matter even more.

 

[ChrisRD]

With the live rock, live sand and protein skimmer your tank has all the filtration it needs. Personally, I would keep the canister for periodic use but I would not run it full time. They're handy for periodic detritus removal, running carbon, etc. but I wouldn't want the maintenance headache of having one running continuously (at least not on a reef) because if it's not cleaned frequently it can create water quality problems by trapping stuff and allowing it to decompose.

 

[Anonymous]

i have a smilmiler question i currently have a 10 gallon nano and thinking of upgrading to a 30 gallon and wonder what would be the best filteration a skimmer, or sump, or even a large hang on any help would be great

wickid4,
Having a sump or skimmer is not the same thing. You would idealy like to have both. The skimmer pulls out disolved material and some solids from the water, the sump is added water volume, a place to store ugly things like heaters, skimmers, pH monitors and the like. Having a drilled tank or at least one with a hang on overflow let you have a tank that looks more natural.

 

[dark_stranger]

With the live rock, live sand and protein skimmer your tank has all the filtration it needs. Personally, I would keep the canister for periodic use but I would not run it full time. They're handy for periodic detritus removal, running carbon, etc. but I wouldn't want the maintenance headache of having one running continuously (at least not on a reef) because if it's not cleaned frequently it can create water quality problems by trapping stuff and allowing it to decompose.

Hi Chris, so my future setup could have plenty of live rock (biological), Skimmer ((mechanical) does a skimmer fall into the mechanical cat.) & a method of chemical filtration ((cheap canister with carbon media to clean water) does chemical filtration need to be run all the time?) and would this cause the nitrate build up that people says happens due to using canisters or could the canister be run once in a while to polish the water. Would this filtration be surfifcient for fish/coral, etc what other methods are there for chemical filtration? Taking into consideration a sump maynot be an option.

 

[dirtwrks77]

I liked an idea that I read on another post "Canisters - any positive points?" some one put live broken-up rock in the media baskets of a canister filter. Has any one else tried this?

Also, it sounds like I made a mistake buying a canister filter for a reef tank in the first place. Damn the guy I take advice from at the local fish store..... (Or maybe he just uses another meathod of doing things).

Any one else out there use a canister filter for thier reef tank........

 

[dark_stranger]

I liked an idea that I read on another post "Canisters - any positive points?" some one put live broken-up rock in the media baskets of a canister filter. Has any one else tried this?

Also, it sounds like I made a mistake buying a canister filter for a reef tank in the first place. Damn the guy I take advice from at the local fish store..... (Or maybe he just uses another meathod of doing things).

Any one else out there use a canister filter for thier reef tank........

Hi Dirtwrks, since i started posting on this and other forums I have at least learnt one thing, and that is, as with microsofts software, there are 10's of ways to do the same thing. Some work better than others, but its down to the individual. As for the post you mention, it was myself that started it as i was trying to get a definative answer to the old age canister question. And i'm still none the wiser, although getting closer.

 

[ChrisRD]

Anything you place in a canister filter that can accumulate detritus can create water quality issues (including live rock) if the filter is being run continously without frequent cleaning. Where a protein skimmer is continuously removing wastes from the water column, most forms of mechanical filtration (canisters, hang-ons, micron bags, etc.) accumulate detritus in the filter which just sits in a high flow area and will quickly begin to decompose and leach nutrients back into the system unless it is physical removed frequently (by cleaning the filter). IME, anything that's a pain to clean (like many canister filters) will eventually get neglected, and that's where the problems come in...

As for chemical filtration, IME it's not usually necessary to run carbon continuously, although it certainly can be done (and some prefer to). You can generally just run it for a few days, once a month. Be sure to use a quality carbon that does not leach phosphates. The problem (IMO) with running carbon continously in a high flow filter like a canister is that it will eventually just be acting as a mechanical filter as crud accumulates in the carbon. If the filter is cleaned frequently, this problem can be avoided, but most of us choose to go with a less labor intensive setup. :wink:

 

[dark_stranger]

Cheers & everything is becoming clearer (excuse the pun). Soon I will have to change my question subject on to something different & then before I know it I wil have more posts then the mods of this forum
Roll on March paypack & then I can start my "little" project.

 

[Phenix 05]

I am going to get a canister filter for the soul purpose of making sure my reef tank doesn't crash and burn over night if something dies or while i'm on vacation.
the more nitrosomanos the better!

 

[DaGoldenChild]

canister filters are a PITA to take apart and put back together...

I disagree i have a Fluval canister filter it's really easy to take apart just pull the two levers on the side and your in, putting it back together is just as simple, im not sure about the other canister filters but i know the fluval is very simple