fast cycling & canister filters

[Sue H.]

Plan to fast cycle tank with bottled bacteria & will also have a live sand bottom - should I use my 406 canister filter during the cycle?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Gman83]

Welcome! I'm not able to answer, but someone else should be able to!

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, I don't know to much about cannister filters in saltwater reef tanks, but someone who does will chime in for you.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!
If it's a newer tank the canister filter probably isn't needed as there won't be anything for it to filter. If you have enough live rock it'll build up your bacteria colonies.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Plan to fast cycle tank with bottled bacteria & will also have a live sand bottom - should I use my 406 canister filter during the cycle?

Best is a seeded sponge or filter box with seeded floss

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[KrisReef]

Fast Cycle, you want the bacteria to be established in the tank, not in the canister. Canisters are for export and you wouldn’t want to export your cycle later with a filter cleaning.

Welcome

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R! @vetteguy53081 and @KrisReef said it all. The canister is not a part of your biological filter, it is export only so best left offline during the cycle but make sure you have something providing flow.

 

[fishface NJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

your live rock is your media, if you will.

Welcome! A sump with some extra live rock as well as equipment never hurt anyone. I couldnt see myself in this hobby without a sump. I like my display to look as equipment free as possible as well as be able to take care of business below the display. I look at a sump as the heart of the system.

 

[FUNGI]

Run your canister. This will allow the sponges and whatever other media you have in there to colonize also.

 

[bizzynewreefs]

Id recommend running the canisters especially if you use any media that will build bacteria...you'll be washing in tank water anyways.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

This may help you get going:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/
Good luck!