valentino82602
Member
I would like to know if using Canister filters are really a good thing and if so what kind of medium should I be using? I see how sumps are beneficial but what about canister filters?
Draw backs of Canister Filiters
- Thread starter valentino82602
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mr. limpid
Active Member
Yes if you maintain them, if you don't it will put back what you want to remove. As for medium, it depends on you some use carbon others use other materials both use floss witch clogs fast and needs to be replaced often. Sumps are easier to maintain and provide a place to hide equipment, like heaters, etc.
rickross23
Active Member
Sumps!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by valentino82602 http:///t/391606/draw-backs-of-canister-filiters#post_3473915
I would like to know if using Canister filters are really a good thing and if so what kind of medium should I be using? I see how sumps are beneficial but what about canister filters?
Canister filters need a lot of maintenance. If you don't keep them clean, they will eventually cause nitrate and phosphate build up. If one of the medias you use is carbon and you let it go past 30 days - toxins that it has absorbed is released back into your tank. Phosphate media in bags don't get proper water contact time... at least enough to be efficient and effective. Ceramic medias can be clogged with detritus and start to produce anaerobic zones if not maintained. If the canister filter is turned off for any long period of time, such as an extended power outage then bacteria can go anaerobic and cause the pH to decrease dramatically inside the unit. When the unit comes back online unexpectantly and dumps the water back into your tank it can cause a tank crash. Cansiter filters clog over time so the flow rates decrease. Most canister filters do not have built in heaters - so you will have to put a heater inside your display tank. When you need to clean and change the medias in the canister filter, you have to stop the filter, close off the valves, place a towel underneath it, disconnect it, wrap it in a towel, take it to the sink or a place that can get wet... etc. etc. a big hassle - and its so much a hassle that many people don't do the proper maintenance on them... and then have problems later down the road because of inadequate maintenance...
Anyways, that's just my initial thoughts...
Originally Posted by valentino82602 http:///t/391606/draw-backs-of-canister-filiters#post_3473915
I would like to know if using Canister filters are really a good thing and if so what kind of medium should I be using? I see how sumps are beneficial but what about canister filters?
Canister filters need a lot of maintenance. If you don't keep them clean, they will eventually cause nitrate and phosphate build up. If one of the medias you use is carbon and you let it go past 30 days - toxins that it has absorbed is released back into your tank. Phosphate media in bags don't get proper water contact time... at least enough to be efficient and effective. Ceramic medias can be clogged with detritus and start to produce anaerobic zones if not maintained. If the canister filter is turned off for any long period of time, such as an extended power outage then bacteria can go anaerobic and cause the pH to decrease dramatically inside the unit. When the unit comes back online unexpectantly and dumps the water back into your tank it can cause a tank crash. Cansiter filters clog over time so the flow rates decrease. Most canister filters do not have built in heaters - so you will have to put a heater inside your display tank. When you need to clean and change the medias in the canister filter, you have to stop the filter, close off the valves, place a towel underneath it, disconnect it, wrap it in a towel, take it to the sink or a place that can get wet... etc. etc. a big hassle - and its so much a hassle that many people don't do the proper maintenance on them... and then have problems later down the road because of inadequate maintenance...
Anyways, that's just my initial thoughts...
valentino82602
Member
So an update to my situation, thanks for the inputs they really helped me understand what to do. I have a sump that I will be using below my tank. My friend is coming by to help install two PVC over flows rated at about 600 GPH each, the down pipes will routed to sump box with a Y connector running off the main pipe, one will go to my fluidized filer and then drain into the same part of the sump as the rest of the water which holds 170 Bio Balls and is pre filtered with a 5 Micron large sock, from there the water will go into the second chamber with a 3 inch live sand bed and also have got some algae "forgot the name, starts with CH" and live rock about 12 pounds, the third chamber has my CPR hand on protein skimmer with a compartment for more BIO balls and it also has my 300 watt heater in there as well. My pump I got is a Danner 1200 GPH with pre filter. I still have my canister that is on my display tank but I have removed the sponge inside and added extra trays with a mix of bio balls ceramic rings, lava rock and a synthetic media that removed ammonia that I bought on amazon. The tank has also been upgraded to a 90 Gal tank. which measures 4 ft long 24'' high and i believe its 18'' deep. Do you think I should be good? I have selected my fish (5) for the tank and have also selected my reef cleanup crew that I priced on this sight. Oh and the light I chose is a 4 bulb HO T-5 light with two antic and two 10,000k with blue led for moon light. It also featured a built in timer on the unit its self. I want to add corals in about 4-5 months down the road, nothing difficult to handle, just some beginner corals that are hardy and require less maint. Am I good to go?
mr. limpid
Active Member
You forgot an important piece of equipment a quarantine tank otherwise you are on the right track.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Your on the right track. Just keep reading and researching and figuring out what will work for you.