Need info on these filters please!

[kristenashley48]

I have been keeping my own 55gal reef with sump/fuge for a little over 2 years. An opportunity just came up to help another lady maintain her 120 FOWLR as a side job. She runs 2 canister filters on the tank and I've never used a canister, so I know NOTHING about them. Can anyone offer some info on these two filters? Any pointers, suggestions for media, links to recommendations? Thanks, I appreciate any help Since I can't have my own large tank, helping to maintain someone else's is the next best thing and I'd like to know as much as possible going into this!

http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-XP-Filstar-Filters.html
(since it's a 120, I'm assuming she has the xp2 or 3, but not sure)

http://www.petsolutions.com/Reaction-4-Stage-Canister-Filters-w-UV+I92421254+C40003247.aspx#

 

[kkdoughboy]

If it's a fish only tank you just have to perform routine maintenance on the filters. You've never had a freshwater with canister filters? Ok well, you should prolly search the web for her particular brand and model and download the owners manual. It will have info plus a list of replacement parts if necessary. These are very easy. They just need to be cleaned like once a month and media refreshed or changed depending on what your running. Hope this was of some help. Any questions you can always PM me. Chris

 

[kristenashley48]

It is a FO. And nope, I've never run a canister on a FW tank. I've never had bigger than a 20gal walmart setup with a small HOB carbon filter for FW (no room for more than a simple setup... which is why I only have a 55gal saltwater, too!). I found the list of replacement parts and how everything goes together, but I don't know anything about the media that should be run in them (where to get it, how often to change it, what specifically each thing is used for, etc. etc. etc.). Especially since she's running 2. I'm supposed to be going twice a month, should I clean one each time and do a small water change, too? Thanks

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've never seen that Reaction canister, but I had the Rena xp3 for quite some time. While it was a very good canister, my only complaint would be that over time, getting the fitting on the top to reseat when hooking it back up after maintenence got to be a HUGE problem. I don't know if it was from a build up of calcium deposits on the fittings or what, but I ended up ditching it. The xp3 has 3 media baskets. I ran carbon in one, phosban and chemipure in another and the sponges on the bottom.

 

[Shane Hoffman]

I do maintnance on 16 different tanks which have a multitude of canister/hob filters. I have found the best option for media replacement is as follows. Any canister filter will have specific replacement filter pads, pre filled mesh media bags, and usually cerramic media or bioballs made by the company that made the filter. This is all a marketing ploy to make more money. You will spend a ton if you buy the presized carbon mesh bags and pre cut filter pads for her filters. I would immediately go purchase the biggest mesh bags that will fit in her filter (available at most pet stores). Buy bulk carbon, nirate remover, amonia remover (all come in plastic or carboard containers and are the tiny rock type media). Also buy your filter pad in bulk and just use scissors to cut to size. I have found that most customers with fish only tanks over feed their fish regardless of what advice they are given. I run amonia and nitrate remover along with carbon in these customers filters. I personally believe bio balls and ceramic media are a waste of money and space in these small canisters. You cant get enough media inside the trays for the size tanks they are on. On top of that they are fully submerged so there is no oxygen exchange as water passes over the balls like in a sump type filter. As far as the filter pad I buy the bulk packages of the white cotton type stuff but you can buy anything you like from very porus material that is stiffer to filterpads that actually assist in ammonia/phosphate control........

 

[Shane Hoffman]

Also as far as canister filters are concerned I always fill the canister with water and make sure the O rings are wet before putting the lid back on. Make sure you shutoff any and all shutoff valves before removing any of the quick disconnect hoses. To get the o rings wet I just dip my fingers in tank water and run my fingers around the o ring.

 

[kristenashley48]

Thanks so much for the responses! I'm assuming this isn't something I can really understand until I just do it, but everything you all said will be very helpful in figuring it all out! I'm excited to learn about a new tank and share what I know with her.