filter questions

[grozier]

I have a quick question about filters. I have a marine land350 hob right now and just bought a api XL canister filer from pet smart for $40 (was 150). so my question is can you run both of them at the same time for better filtration or is one better than the other? also can i hook up the canister filter and start using it or does it have to cycle and if it has to cycle how do i go about that with fish in the tank already? I try to do water changes on a frequent basis but you know how that goes and thought that this can might help keep the water a little cleaner since it seems to have more filtration then the 350 currently in use. any help on this topic would be much helpful.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by grozier http:///t/392443/filter-questions#post_3484650
I have a quick question about filters. I have a marine land350 hob right now and just bought a api XL canister filer from pet smart for $40 (was 150). so my question is can you run both of them at the same time for better filtration or is one better than the other? also can i hook up the canister filter and start using it or does it have to cycle and if it has to cycle how do i go about that with fish in the tank already? I try to do water changes on a frequent basis but you know how that goes and thought that this can might help keep the water a little cleaner since it seems to have more filtration then the 350 currently in use. any help on this topic would be much helpful.
Hi,
You can most cetainly run two canister filters at the same time. You don't need to cycle a filter, just rinse your media such as carbon until the water runs clear.
I used two canisters for many years. Alternate cleaning the canisters and rinse the reusable media (bio beads) in saltwater you removed for a water change, to preserve the good bacteria.

 

[grozier]

Can you run a hang on back filter with a canister filter system at the same time or is it kind of a mute point? I would think twice the filtration with twice the water movement since they both move about 350gph.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by grozier http:///t/392443/filter-questions#post_3485054
Can you run a hang on back filter with a canister filter system at the same time or is it kind of a mute point? I would think twice the filtration with twice the water movement since they both move about 350gph.
Yes, but you will still need a power head to move the water besides. The HOB will help move surface water only and a spray bar attached to the canister output line will also move surface water...all the surface water movement you can get is good.

 

[grozier]

I have a power head at the bottom of the tank moving water across the tank. The tank is only 3ft long so the current carries pretty good. I keep getting the brown alga and can't seem to kick it. I left my light off for a week while I was on vacation and it looked like a new tank but, now it's back to where I started. I try to do a 12gal. water change every two weeks with rodi water but it stays on the crushed coal substrate.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by grozier http:///t/392443/filter-questions#post_3485069
I have a power head at the bottom of the tank moving water across the tank. The tank is only 3ft long so the current carries pretty good. I keep getting the brown alga and can't seem to kick it. I left my light off for a week while I was on vacation and it looked like a new tank but, now it's back to where I started. I try to do a 12gal. water change every two weeks with rodi water but it stays on the crushed coal substrate.
Then you should be good to go, if you want the HOB with your canister...you won't have a problem.

 

[1guydude]

and ur running a ph down by ur CC?
Maybe try to siphon it up with the good old turkey baster... not the one in the kitchen preferably.
HTHs
-d