Mechanical filter question

[shavo]

ok, i am going to be using a canaster filter that i was using on a freshwater tank as a mechanical filter. I have a question regarding this filter, i am basically just going to use it with filter pads, but there are those ceramic things in it too, are they beneficial for salt water or do these become nitrate factories also like bio balls.

thanks.

 

[bleedingthought]

They do become nitrate factories. So do the filter pads. If you're looking to polish the water, run it only for a day or two once every two weeks or so and make sure that the pads are cleaned in between. HTH

 

[mr_X]

lol...you'll be fine chris.

 

[shavo]

I was planing on running full time, i had a few days with a fuge and things hit the fan quick, my sump had a protien skimmer and the fuge didn't until today. my water got murky and swampy and I was unhappy. I added some new water cleaned the rocks, turned on the mechanical filter, fuge is running and i wanted to keep the mechanical going for a while atleast. maybe if i see thing catch up i will try a day or two without.
but i was hoping to use full time and do monthly filter changes

sound ok?

 

[mr_X]

i just cleaned mine out last night (i run it full time), i had all sorts of weird things growing in it. i always have zero nitrates, so my vote is for : if you stay on top of it and keep it squeaky clean, your are safe to run it full time.

 

[shavo]

so what do you think clean once a month or more than that?

 

[mr_X]

eh...probably once a week is better. of course it depends on what, and frequency of feeding, amount of critters..bla bla
i went way too long before cleanings (about a month), and like i said...all sorts of stuff cultivating in there! 8O