Canister Filter Media

[Foody]

I am purchasing a canister filter to replace my HOB filter. Yes I would prefer a sump set up but I simply don't have the money and space for it. Here are my questions. The new filter will have 3 media baskets. I intend to place my relatively new units of Chemi Pure Elite in one of the baskets. What should I place in the other 2 baskets?

Secondly, once the Chemi Pure Elite is rendered ineffective what should I then place in the baskets? Thanks and blessings!

 

[tmz]

All you need in there is carbon and sometimes gfo. The elite has that. Later it might be cheper to get a couple of fine mesh ags and usethem for carbon in one and gfo in he other. A poly filter might be helpful from time to time. If you like purigen can be a nice supplement to carbon for removing oragnics. I run mine without any other media;just the carbon and gfo. The ceramic media, bioballs etc tend to produce nitrate.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

JMO: canister filters are a PITA.

HOB power filters are usually more efficient to run, easier access and can perform the same function as a canister filter.

Canister filters were originally designed to hold "bio media" (rings etc.) that needed infrequent maintenance. Having to regularly change out media in a canister filter is something I would avoid at all costs.

A sump is a horse of a different color altogether.

 

[cardiffgiant]

From personal experience, I'd do everything that you can to keep a canister out of your reef system. I had a pretty nice one, but it was a pain to take apart and without very regular cleaning my water quality became worse. IMO, the benefit of being able to regularly clean prefilters on a HOB will outweigh the larger volume of a canister.

What size tank do you have?

 

[j tavares]

Irun eheims w floss and polyfiters Tm never had a problem w nitrates in 20 yrs, nitrates are controlled w skimming and partial water changes, simple for me and works well

 

[fpv930]

I currently have a 36g tank set up as a temporary tank while I am in another build.
I have a Fluval 305 and an Aqueon HOB for filtration.
in the Fluval I have two bags of carbon (BRS) and two media baskets of rubble rock. This canister moves a lot of water but is a pain to maintain. I have to clean out the canister about every 4 weeks or so.
The HOB is much easier to maintain. I regularly clean the filters and re-use. I think the key to having a system of this sort is finding a skimmer which skims water from the surface. My Sea Clone 100 is horrible as the pump is 4" below the water.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

i dont know if you have already purchased a canister filter or not but i have a almost brand new ehiem 2080 for sale for cheap if you want it

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

. I think the key to having a system of this sort is finding a skimmer which skims water from the surface. My Sea Clone 100 is horrible as the pump is 4" below the water.

bingo

something like 90% of DOC's are located at/on the water's surface- thus the invention of surface skimming.... In pools and aquariums.
Eheim used to make a device called the "Surface Extractor" to get surface crud into a skimmer or power filter.
Crud floating on water's surface of a reef aquarium is a HUGE problem that needs to be avoided.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I am purchasing a canister filter to replace my HOB filter. Yes I would prefer a sump set up but I simply don't have the money and space for it. Here are my questions. The new filter will have 3 media baskets. I intend to place my relatively new units of Chemi Pure Elite in one of the baskets. What should I place in the other 2 baskets?

to strictly answer this original question I would say: NOTHING.

Place NOTHING in the canister filter. Use it as a circulation pump.

 

[Foody]

One thing I love about this hobby is the wide variety of opinions. Anyway, I have a 55 with a walmart 30-60 HOB filter. It doesn't move enough water IMO and it does nothing to deal with the slick on my water surface. The filter I purchased brings in water from both deep in the tank and directly off the surface and it moves 365gph. Additionally, my HOB barely has enough room to hold my chemi pure bags, and I mean BARELY. All things considered, this seems to be my best option. Water polishing filter pads, chemi pure elite and possibly purigen and I believe I will be in much better shape than I was before. And yes, it will require perhaps monthly disassembly and cleaning but then so does the HOB. Just yesterday I removed the HOB for cleaning and if it wasn't pumping nitrates into my system with all the crap in and around it I'll eat my shirt. I would love to have a sump but, as I stated in my original post its simply not practical for me, all things considered. Thanks all.

 

[tmz]

I don't particularly like cleaning them once a month but it's not terrible. I use two old time fluvals a 304 and a 404,I had lying around.
One(304) is used for a granulated activated carbon box on the main system. I use the sponge filters in there as the bacteria from carbon dosing grow on them and leave the gfo and gac surfaces relatively clean.
The other(404) which holds some gfo and gac is the sole( I don't count the red sea prism hob skimmer since it doesn't do very much) filtration system for an off system 65 gallon softie tank ; it has an adapter which allows it to skim water from the surface. I have a fine hob filter but chose to use the canister for space and appearance considerations.