Aqueon canister filter

[wheel6251]

Hi everyone, we set up our tank in late January. It’s a 90 gallon FOWLR tank. We have about 10 juvenile fish in there. All of my parameters are great, however, not sure when I should start cleaning the filter. It still has really great flow. TIA

 

[Idech]

Most canister filters need cleaning every 2 months in freshwater. In saltwater, we try to replace mechanical media very often, to reduce nitrates. I change my media every 5-6 days.

So I would say do it as often as you can. At least replace the mechanical media often.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

I run an FX4 canister on my 90 gallon and have gone as long as 6 months between cleaning it. Granted, I wouldn’t wait that long again, but every 3 months seems to be the sweet spot. FX4 is probably overkill for a 90 gallon. Nitrates really haven’t been an issue. 30% monthly water changes keeps everything in check.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

I run an FX4 canister on my 90 gallon and have gone as long as 6 months between cleaning it. Granted, I wouldn’t wait that long again, but every 3 months seems to be the sweet spot. FX4 is probably overkill for a 90 gallon. Nitrates really haven’t been an issue. 30% monthly water changes keeps everything in check.

Full disclosure, I also run an HOB skimmer. But adding it didn’t make a drastic Nitrate impact.

 

[LPS Bum]

I have run my 240 gal FOWLR for 16 years with a Rena Filstar canister and a HOB skimmer. I wouldn't recommend that approach in 2024, but it's how I set up the tank long ago, and it's not drilled for a sump (and never will be).

I clean out my canister every 6 weeks or so. I rinse out the coarse pads and replace the finer pad and Chemipure bag. Seems to work fairly well.