filter help

[iggyframe]

I did a search on here about canister filters and some people are saying they are bad because they are a nitrate factory. My question is would bio balls in the filter help with this nitrate problem?

 

[moray345]

i think it would probabbly increase them
sorry,
Moray345

 

[jfdjason]

I can say I use a canister filter for carbon, filters, and substrate and have never had a problem.

 

[tizzo]

I honestly believe that a canister filter is more of a nitrate trap if you DON'T regularly change out the filter media. If you know how to change that appropriately (not all at once), then it should be OK. The catch is, that to change out your media appropriately you feel as though you are constantly taking that stupid thing apart, least for me anyway. After 3 or 4 or 5 months you should remove and replace 1 of the 3 sections, let that run for a week or two then do another, and then do that all over again until all three have been changed out. You will avoid nitrates, but it's a lot of maintainance if you ask me.

 

[jfdjason]

I should say that I actually just use one in there at a time.....I usually just run some filter pads in it...however once in awhile if I should run into some of that "cloudy" water, I will throw a little carbon in there for a week and let it do its trick. I will also once in a while run some substrate in it too.