With A Cannister, Why Would You Want To Run Carbon? Or Why Not?

ohiorn67

Member
JUST CURIOUS, HAVE A CANNISTER AND LFS SAYS ONCE CYCLED, YOU CAN REMOVE THE CARBON PAD....HOW ACCURATE IS THIS? WE DID, NO DIFFERENCE AS OF YET. BUT CURIOUS TO ITS NEEDS OR REASONS. THANKS!
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I guess he thinks it will act as a small type of sump. Perhaps it will oxygenate the water some, but in a closed enviroment, I don't see that a canister is doing you any good except for some water movement.
I would run carbon in it just to polish the water, but not in a pad form, forget the pads.
Other than that it will just collect some waste and you will need to clean it.
ditch it and add a powerhead for movement or get a real sump.
Thomas
 

ctgretzky9

Member
Since I didnt know any better, and dont have the room for refug, sump or protein skimmer now anyway, I use a cascade (pen plax) 1500 canister, and since dont have a fuge etc, I keep carbon in there. I wouldnt get the pads they suck. I use the stuff you buy by the lb and have a mesh bag.
I also use a powerhead-rio 800, which I'll be replacing soon since I have heard stories about the rio's
I also use an airstone to also help with movement/aeration.
In any event, if you use carbon, remember it needs to be replaced every 2-3 weeks or so.
Next tank, in my next house, I'll go all out and get a 250 gallon with sumps and fuge etc...
My 60 has been running for about 2 years now with my set up, and I think it only works as good as it does because i do at least bi weekly water changes, and test for everything every few days!
 
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