canister filters with ceramic bio balls

[Sophie"s mom]

Afternoon everyone. So the topic of canister filters stirs some feelings here I know. However, I do use one and I am curious about other canister users here when it comes to media inside the canister. I currently have a combination of ceramic media as well as a couple sponges that the filter came with. The question is do some of you ditch the sponges completely and just load the trays up with ceramic balls and or rock rubble? If so, how often do you clean it out? I use an Oase 600 biomaster filter, so it has a pre-filter that I clean weekly. Very easy access for that. But If I can ditch all the sponges and make cleaning the main body of the filter last a bit longer, it would be worth it. Thanks to any and all for input on this.

 

[Rocks reef]

I'm following along for general knowledge since I don't have a canister filter and would like to gain knowledge on the subject.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Afternoon everyone. So the topic of canister filters stirs some feelings here I know. However, I do use one and I am curious about other canister users here when it comes to media inside the canister. I currently have a combination of ceramic media as well as a couple sponges that the filter came with. The question is do some of you ditch the sponges completely and just load the trays up with ceramic balls and or rock rubble? If so, how often do you clean it out? I use an Oase 600 biomaster filter, so it has a pre-filter that I clean weekly. Very easy access for that. But If I can ditch all the sponges and make cleaning the main body of the filter last a bit longer, it would be worth it. Thanks to any and all for input on this.

Hey all, Just trying to put this post out in front again. Anyone?!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve never used one and generally see no reason to on my system, but if it were me, I’d ditch the sponges.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I’ve never used one and generally see no reason to on my system, but if it were me, I’d ditch the sponges.

Thank you Randy. I have been thinking this for awhile now. It just makes simple sense to me. I am no science, chemistry person for sure, but seems like rock and or ceramic bio balls holding biodiversity is way more beneficial than sponges that hold nutrients and need constant cleaning.

 

[serval]

I use an Oase filter in my planted tanks which I fill it with mostly Seachem matrix media for biological filtration. I have some fine sponges above and below the matrix. One compartment also has Purigen. But in my (new to me) reef tank, I only am using live sand and live rock in the display plus some smaller rocks in bags in the AIO back area, plus a filter sock. If I used a cannister on the reef, I’d likely fill it similarly to the FW one.

 

[exnisstech]

If your using it for filtration i think you would need the sponges or some type of floss. If you want extra bio media then ditch the sponges. I think one full of rubble would probably function as a cryptic zone but am not positive if it would.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

If your using it for filtration i think you would need the sponges or some type of floss. If you want extra bio media then ditch the sponges. I think one full of rubble would probably function as a cryptic zone but am not positive if it would.

What do you mean by "cryptic zone" ? Curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What do you mean by "cryptic zone" ? Curious.

A dark rock zone that grows sponges and related organisms. Some believe it usefully filters out organics.

 

[exnisstech]

What do you mean by "cryptic zone" ? Curious.

https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/refugiums/cryptic-zones-in-the-refugium/
I run one in a chamber of the sump on my 330

 

[Sophie"s mom]

A dark rock zone that grows sponges and related organisms. Some believe it usefully filters out organics.

Hmm, sounds reasonably nice then. I think next time I clean my canister out, which is in about a week, I may give this a go and see how my tank reacts, if at all. So, per Oase, they recommend cleaning the prefilter weekly, which I do. They recommend cleaning the main body monthly, I generally clean it every 2 to 3 weeks. But when I do, of course, I am seeing (for lack of a better word) gunk in the bottom. I am just curious to see if the rock would prove more beneficial.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/refugiums/cryptic-zones-in-the-refugium/
I run one in a chamber of the sump on my 330

WOW! Great article, thank you! YEs, I believe you may be right, this may qualify as a cryptic zone. Very interesting. Thank you again.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

Thank you Randy. I have been thinking this for awhile now. It just makes simple sense to me. I am no science, chemistry person for sure, but seems like rock and or ceramic bio balls holding biodiversity is way more beneficial than sponges that hold nutrients and need constant cleaning.

Lot of stuff will live in sponges if there is O2. Pods love sponges. So do worms. I’ve never looked at a sample under a scope, but I would imagine there are ciliates etc in there as well.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Lot of stuff will live in sponges if there is O2. Pods love sponges. So do worms. I’ve never looked at a sample under a scope, but I would imagine there are ciliates etc in there as well.

Hmm, okay, NOW I am going to have to take a look under my microscope

 

[BrettMallette]

I run a canister on my 55 gallon. No rock rubble or ceramic media in it. Filter pads when i want to blast the rocks off and do some maintenance on the tank but just for the day, 2 tops. Mostly use it as a place to put carbon or gfo if im running it. I find the trays act as a good enough surface area for most sponges and collect enough detritus that brittle stars and sponge are covering it all when i scrub it good every 2-3 weeks. It also seems to collect baby astrea snails and vermetids(main reason i scrub it not just swap media)