skimmer/ cannister filter????
- Thread starter lenny8671
- Start date
northcoastdiver
New member
So you have the sponge filter in the canister, right? If that is what you meant I would take it out. I've read they can build up nitrates if not kept on top of.
Lenny. Looks like we're in the same boat. Tons of freshwater experience but short on salt. I have a 30g set up with a HOB skimmer and a cannister filter.
I stopped using the cannister for a couple of days on the suggestion of others, but it didn't feel right not having mechanical filtration working for me.
Then others said there is no harm in the cannister filter as long as you stay on top of it as NCD stated and do your water tests. I only use filter media in the top tray for large particulates then rock just like you are under it. Must be atleast 10 pounds of rock rubble in it.
Looking at your tank, looks like you're doing good to me.
I stopped using the cannister for a couple of days on the suggestion of others, but it didn't feel right not having mechanical filtration working for me.
Then others said there is no harm in the cannister filter as long as you stay on top of it as NCD stated and do your water tests. I only use filter media in the top tray for large particulates then rock just like you are under it. Must be atleast 10 pounds of rock rubble in it.
Looking at your tank, looks like you're doing good to me.
maeistero
New member
the cannister will prove to be more trouble than it's worth. i tried for a couple years as i got a ton of them cheap/free all at once.
1. tried with media, that worked for a couple days
2. tried with bio balls, then lr, worked well a week or so
3. used empty for extra flow with the occasional carbon. that's ok, but for the pain in rear set up and take down no.
there is no harm in it as long as you are on top of it i agree. but why stay on top of it when it's really just not needed at all. lr rubble won't be live for long in the dark and anything living that comes out will be processed through the cannister pump. that will likely cause some die off and nitrates again.
your best bet is to sell them and use the money for anything else. $20 will get you a test kit. that'll be more helpful. we all know there's freshwater folks drooling over the bargain cannister out there.
1. tried with media, that worked for a couple days
2. tried with bio balls, then lr, worked well a week or so
3. used empty for extra flow with the occasional carbon. that's ok, but for the pain in rear set up and take down no.
there is no harm in it as long as you are on top of it i agree. but why stay on top of it when it's really just not needed at all. lr rubble won't be live for long in the dark and anything living that comes out will be processed through the cannister pump. that will likely cause some die off and nitrates again.
your best bet is to sell them and use the money for anything else. $20 will get you a test kit. that'll be more helpful. we all know there's freshwater folks drooling over the bargain cannister out there.
PRDubois
New member
People who dont like canisters remember the ones fron 10 years ago. They were a pain in the a$$. The old Fluval I had you would have to lay it in its side and tilt it back and forth to get the air out. Once it worked it was fine, but you hated to clean it.
The same people complain about HOB skimmers leaking. All you need to know is how to use a "O" ring.
The same people complain about HOB skimmers leaking. All you need to know is how to use a "O" ring.
Whys
New member
The dark does not kill liverock, but does create a bit of die-off. Sometimes hobbyists will intentionally put their liverock in the dark in a curing process often referred to as "cooking the liverock". It will live, but this isn't to say you want to use a canister filter filled with liverock. It is generally recommended that you don't. It's similar to using bio-balls in a wet/dry trickle filter and will act as a nitrate factory because of all the oxygenated water contacting the liverock bacteria.
Simply keeping enough quality liverock submerged in the display tank and/or sump and/or refugium, in conjunction with a protein skimmer, should provide all the filtration you need.
Simply keeping enough quality liverock submerged in the display tank and/or sump and/or refugium, in conjunction with a protein skimmer, should provide all the filtration you need.
pimpinitup6969
New member
on my 150 i run nothing but a skimmer and occasionally some carbon in a reactor
Whys
New member
ddinox64, fresh water hobbyists can have a hard time giving up their canisters, but when it comes to saltwater, it's a piece of equipment looking for a cause. There are various ways to actually get uses out of them. But none of these functions are particularly necessary and it does require care.
Submerged liverock and a skimmer is all you need. Just about everything else is a bell, whistle, or potential problem.
Submerged liverock and a skimmer is all you need. Just about everything else is a bell, whistle, or potential problem.
Funny thing is I stopped using filters on my tanks about 10 years ago when I just started using lots of live plants. Just creating eco systems that took care of themselves. Never did water tests or water changes. Right plants, right fish and right set up.
It's like, or is learning all over again.
I was wondering what type of algae our friend from the U.K. was getting to see if it was the same seeing we have simular set ups.
I'm getting what I believe to be red slime algae. I thought it was thick diatom blooms. But after reading and searching I have changed my thoughts.
Guys in fishstores push chemicals but I'd rather find something living to deal with it. Any ideas?
It's like, or is learning all over again.
I was wondering what type of algae our friend from the U.K. was getting to see if it was the same seeing we have simular set ups.
I'm getting what I believe to be red slime algae. I thought it was thick diatom blooms. But after reading and searching I have changed my thoughts.
Guys in fishstores push chemicals but I'd rather find something living to deal with it. Any ideas?
lenny8671
New member
ddinox, i went through the diatom stage, then about a month ago had a bad cyno outbreak, got that undercontrol now am constantly trying to cope with the red slimey stuff thats all over the tank, not too mention some candy floss looking algea in all over one piece of rock on the right side of the tank( where the canister filter water came back into the tank)
Hopefully stopping the filter and water changes will help manage this.
Hopefully stopping the filter and water changes will help manage this.
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