Canister Filters

[bladeruner143]

What is the best things to put inside of these things? I have a Fluval 404 right now that came with activated carbon and these ceramic pellet thingys. Im not sure what I should keep and what I should throw out. I have heard of adding LR rubble, but where do I get it? Thanks guys

 

[matttaylor]

You can pick up live rock rubble from most lfs's. As far as filler goes, i'd use carbon, rubble/ceramic pellet thingys, and depending on how much maintenance you want to do some filter floss or the sponges they come with. What other filter's are you using?

 

[bladeruner143]

That is the only mechanical filter I have. I also have a 3in sandbed and more LR than I probably need. I'd say about 90lbs in a 55G! I also run a protein skimmer

 

[airinhere]

I would recommend thinking of it as a glorified phos/carbon reactor. Do not rely upon it for your primary filtration, but instead think of it as a supplement to your filtration. The extra water movement it generates is an added perk. The mechanical filtration most people rely upon is a proten skimmer or filter sock.

 

[bored4long]

oops.. wrong thread

 

[TeeLapia]

Can I recommend to get some socks, and put in your Phos, and Carbon in the fiter. along with your LR rubble. So when it is time to clean, all you have to do is remove the sock full of phos and carbon, and put in new ones. That is all you would really need, along with the skimmer.

 

[bladeruner143]

When you guys say "socks" do you mean actual socks?!

 

[cartman5579]

Most LFS's will sell bags made for carbon and phosphate media. Thats how i run my cansiter. Phosphate on bottom, then carbon, then the sponges. I have to clean the sponges every week with my water change.

 

[matttaylor]

Not actual socks, you'll want to get media bags from any lfs. They have very tiny holes to allow water through, but keep the media in.

Matt

 

[TeeLapia]

That's what I meant! Media Bags. Had a brain f@rt during the typing, I just thought maybe you had an idea as to what I was talking about. Works well, you can even just drop it in your sump etc. etc. works wonders.

 

[bladeruner143]

I thought phosphate was a bad thing? You can add it to your tank and it will be a good thing? I do have some of the media bags with carbon in them, just not phosphate. What are the benefits of adding phosphate?

 

[rafael13]

phosphate remover

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idproduct=RW1117

 

[bored4long]

He means PhosBan or ROWAphos. Its granular ferric oxide and is used for PO4 removal. You are correct, that phosphate is generally a bad thing for a tank.

 

[TeeLapia]

They are used like carbon. They strip the tank of PO4, or help alleviate with constant spores etc.