Killing the Canister Fitler Myth

[Fish]

Originally Posted by spikehs

well, I have gone the route of having my canister as my return pump. I have the XP2 powerfilter.

I am really liking this setup for a few reasons..
1. The filter is REALLY quiet. Almost silent

2. I have polyfilter, nitrate media, carbon, and phosphate media in there. So before any water gets returned to my tank its gets scrubbed really well

3. It eliminated 1-2 more pumps i needed. I was going to run an aquaclear with the polyfilter + nitrate media + carbon and have the fluidized reactor run some phosphate media. I now have it all in one.

Edit: Mine isn't on a nano (50gal tank).. but i think the same theory applies...

Hey Sean, it's been a while eh?

Glad to hear that things are working well. I never tried the XP2 myself but I have read really good things about them - and a good price too! Good choice.

- Chad

[mark]

Why even the light? Though recently put some macro in my sump went years without any, only just in the display.

[Fish]

I wanted to keep the macro in the sump because I wanted to light it 24/7 and avoid some of the lights on lights off ph swings. Plus, I was a little cramped for room in my display - the ball of chaeto that I had in my canister would have filled the entire tank

- Chad

Edit:
I should have made this more clear from the start. I am just suggesting that using a canister filter for mechanical filtration the way they are set up can lead to build ups of nitrates. I am suggesting throwing in LR and using it as a biological filter instead.

[daddy01]

Hi,
Nice thread info..I have a Fluval 304 canister filter currently on my small tank and have Chemi-pure and Carbon along with sponges.
I was looking at a DIY denitrator made from 1/4" tubing, but thought if I kept my fluval empty maybe it would do same idea.
Jim

[Midknight]

Originally Posted by daddy01

Hi,
Nice thread info..I have a Fluval 304 canister filter currently on my small tank and have Chemi-pure and Carbon along with sponges.
I was looking at a DIY denitrator made from 1/4" tubing, but thought if I kept my fluval empty maybe it would do same idea.
Jim

You would have to cut the flow way down to do that.
The DIY denitrator use a very slow rate of flow to operate properly if I am correct.

[Fish]

Ya, I think your right Midknight. The water needs to be in there long enough that the oxygen is depleted and the anaerobic bacteria process takes over.

- Chad

[Midknight]

Now I was thinking of "T"ing off of the return on mine to run it through a denitrator.

[Fish]

Now that would be cool - and I don't see why it wouldn't work.

- Chad

[dareefguy]

Sorry I know this is an old post but I am curently having a nitrate problem and a detrius problem. So I just bought a fluval 305 to hook up to my 350 gallon system so that I can remove the detrius more eaily and efficiantly. I think you just have to be dedicated on rinsing your sponges.

[Pan]

most run them without sponges actually in regards to a reef tank, that is when they are not being used for mechanical filtration. Such is/was the case with fish's tank.