Canister filter help.

[Allert89]

I’m picking up a 75 gallon tank and stand tomorrow. The tank does not have holes in it so I’m having to use a HOB. I’m planning on using a canister filter but have come across some confusing statements about them.
I’ve mostly read that cleaning the canister weekly or twice a week.
A few others were saying once a month or 2 and to focused on water changes more.
Can anyone help point me in the right direction on this?

 

[kvansloo]

Canister filters will work fine on a 75 gallon. I started my 90 gallon with a canister the Fluval 405 it was not as bad as people make it out to be. at first I started cleaning it when I did a water change and would change the media I was running. During the cycle I would not worry about cleaning the filter at all.
In fact, if I was to start one today with a canister the only thing, I would put in it is crumbled live rock or ceramic rings and the main sponges.

 

[BetteMidler]

If you go the canister route, you will need to clean the pre filter or any sponge material often. I run the Oase one and only run the prefilter. Only some biomedia i.e. rubble/ceramics in the trays. I have two sets of pre filters that get swapped out every weekend. Oase probably has the easiest method on servicing the prefilter. I would seriously look at converting the tank into an AIO or having the tank drilled & plumbed before going the canister route. How do you plan on topping off the tank? 75g is a little large to be placing an ATO in.

 

[FUNGI]

I’m picking up a 75 gallon tank and stand tomorrow. The tank does not have holes in it so I’m having to use a HOB. I’m planning on using a canister filter but have come across some confusing statements about them.
I’ve mostly read that cleaning the canister weekly or twice a week.
A few others were saying once a month or 2 and to focused on water changes more.
Can anyone help point me in the right direction on this?

I run 3 FX6's on my 120g. I have always used canisters...45+ years in teh hobby).Replaced all but one sponges with LR rubble. I clean out once a year (quick rinse). depending on how much you feed and your bioload, once a month clean out is standard fair.
Note. After your first couple of cleanings, you will figure it out....how often to clean etc.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I’m picking up a 75 gallon tank and stand tomorrow. The tank does not have holes in it so I’m having to use a HOB. I’m planning on using a canister filter but have come across some confusing statements about them.
I’ve mostly read that cleaning the canister weekly or twice a week.
A few others were saying once a month or 2 and to focused on water changes more.
Can anyone help point me in the right direction on this?

I currently have a 90 gallon set with a HOB and a canister. The key is to get as good a canister as you can. I personally HIGHLY recommend an Oase. I have the Oase biomaster 600 and it is freaking awesome. It has a pre filter sleeve that you clean weekly, and the main filter I clean monthly. It is an amazing filter. They also come with an optional integrated heater. I can not stress enough how much of a game changer this filter was for me.

 

[Dom]

I’m picking up a 75 gallon tank and stand tomorrow. The tank does not have holes in it so I’m having to use a HOB. I’m planning on using a canister filter but have come across some confusing statements about them.
I’ve mostly read that cleaning the canister weekly or twice a week.
A few others were saying once a month or 2 and to focused on water changes more.
Can anyone help point me in the right direction on this?

My experience with canister filters are that the needed to be cleaned frequently, and are not easy to clean.

I had two identical canisters. Once per week, I would switch out the clean canister with the dirty one. This gave me the entire week to disassemble, clean and get ready for the next swap.