Sun sun canister filter on Biocube 14

rodrigo123 · Feb 2, 2017

Thoughts on using a canister filter and how i have it set up? I am using a canister filter since I don't have the funds or space for a sump but still wanted to increase my water volume. In the 1st chamber, I have my protein skimmer. In the 2nd chamber I have the intake for the canister filter and macro algae (I removed my media basket). In the 3rd chamber, I have the return for the canister filter. The filter has one filter pad, lava rock, carbon and purigen.

CodyRVA · Feb 2, 2017

Be prepared for the backlash from the canister filter, "nitrate factory," haters out there :p

I like canister filters, as I've always said it's about how you use them and I've had a lot of luck with them in the past. How they are setup, maintained and managed is essential. Canister filters do not produce nitrates, period. They trap and hold nitrates, which is the point, and its your job as a hobbyist to remove them; no different than running filter socks in a sump.

Sounds like you have a decent setup. How old is your system? Are you using any biological media at all?

rodrigo123 · Feb 2, 2017

CodyRVA said:
Be prepared for the backlash from the canister filter, "nitrate factory," haters out there :p

I like canister filters, as I've always said it's about how you use them and I've had a lot of luck with them in the past. How they are setup, maintained and managed is essential. Canister filters do not produce nitrates, period. They trap and hold nitrates, which is the point, and its your job as a hobbyist to remove them; no different than running filter socks in a sump.

Sounds like you have a decent setup. How old is your system? Are you using any biological media at all?

My system is 3 months old and I'm using lava rock as my biological media in the canister filter.

CodyRVA · Feb 2, 2017

rodrigo123 said:
My system is 3 months old and I'm using lava rock as my biological media in the canister filter.

Did you add all those frags at once? I've never used lava rock, but this stuff is as good, if not better than marine pure IMO.

cgdcinc · Feb 2, 2017

I use a fluval canister and love it. My parameters are perfect and stable. I clean mine every week when I do a water change. I run pond matrix in the baskets after the sponges. It also is good for other media if you need it at times.