Canister vs. Power Filter

[stoy]

I have been having what I suspect to be some Oodinium outbreaks in my fish and sometimes my nitrates test very high even after water changes. I have tried everything from nitrex to nitrasord and nothing seems to level things out even with 50% water changes. My LFS says it may be my Emporer power filters as they claim those tend to be nitrate spawners. Could this be true? Would changing to a canister benefit me? Any other advice? Tank is a Column 60 running two emporer 280's, protein skimmer by visi-jet, and penguin 1140 power head.

 

[toughguy80]

DO you use RO/DI water? If not, do you test the water you use to be sure the high nitrates aren't already in there? Also, is your tank overstocked? What size and fish do you have? Normally I'd say a filter wouldn't be my 1st thought as the problem.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by Stoy
I have been having what I suspect to be some Oodinium outbreaks in my fish and sometimes my nitrates test very high even after water changes. I have tried everything from nitrex to nitrasord and nothing seems to level things out even with 50% water changes. My LFS says it may be my Emporer power filters as they claim those tend to be nitrate spawners. Could this be true? Would changing to a canister benefit me? Any other advice? Tank is a Column 60 running two emporer 280's, protein skimmer by visi-jet, and penguin 1140 power head.
If you think you have enough flow with your powerheads, then just remove the trate traps, being the filter pads in the filters. No reason to remove the wheels, as they are growing bacteria for beneficials for the tank.

 

[namas05]

You are talking about filters here and I don't know how to start a new thread so I will ask here.
I have heard that undergravel filters are great and also that they are bad.
What is it? good or bad?
i have used one for years with no problems.
I have also read that they are not and should not be used in a reef tank, but can find no answers to why not. Any harm in leaving it in now that I am going reef or should I just disconect the tubes? Or remove the whole filter? I have a 45 gallon tank with CC.
Thanks for your help.

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by namas05
You are talking about filters here and I don't know how to start a new thread so I will ask here.
I have heard that undergravel filters are great and also that they are bad.
What is it? good or bad?
i have used one for years with no problems.
I have also read that they are not and should not be used in a reef tank, but can find no answers to why not. Any harm in leaving it in now that I am going reef or should I just disconect the tubes? Or remove the whole filter? I have a 45 gallon tank with CC.
Thanks for your help.
I've always heard they were bad do to the fact that they trap excessive nitrates. Unlike the hang-on-back(HOB) filters, gravel filters can/will trap much more debris that will cause your tanks nitrates to rise.
I run a HOB skimmer and a refugium. I got rid of all my filters long ago. I'm also running a large tank though. When I had my 29G up and running I did use a HOB filter. It was a reef and I never had any problems with it. I made sure to use RO/DI water and do regular water changes.

 

[namas05]

I also use RO/DI water ( best fish investment I have ever made). And run a fluval 304 canister filter as well. I am looking into a wet/dry.
But should I remove the undergravel? or the tubes or niether?

 

[stoy]

I bought a filstar XP3 and installed it today. I guess this will tell. I am keeping the emporers just in case though because they were actually very easy to maintian.

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by namas05
I also use RO/DI water ( best fish investment I have ever made). And run a fluval 304 canister filter as well. I am looking into a wet/dry.
But should I remove the undergravel? or the tubes or niether?
If it's working for you and you're happy with it, then I wouldn't mess with anything.

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by Stoy
I bought a filstar XP3 and installed it today. I guess this will tell. I am keeping the emporers just in case though because they were actually very easy to maintian.
G/L Stoy, hope it works for ya. Keep us up to date