Cannister Filter as Media Reactor

[RobertTheNurse]

Hey everyone,

It seems Ive been steered in a direction I wish I hadn't been -- but can't change the past. I'm currently running A Eheim Cannister Pro on my 65 tank. Have a softie, acan and few zoa frags and a few small fish. I've just learned Canister filters aren't really great, but, now I have one so I have to make the best with what I got for the time being. I read and heard that I can convert the cannister into a filter reactor...ok...I sort of get the idea...what types of media would be great to use?

Also, before I convert it, I maintanenced it 1 month ago (I've had it running for 5 months)...until I have some time off to buy the media to convert it into a reactor, what part should I be cleaning 1-2 times a week? Do I rinse just the top foam? Tank water? RODI water?

I realized something was off when I started to see some possible cyano.
Did a nitrate test -- 25 using salifert
Waiting to get my test in the mail for phos (amazon)

I should also mention I don't have a protein skimmer. I'm okay doing water changes until I get one. I know getting one will be beneficial, and I will in the future, just want to fix the mess one step at a time.

My research on Cannisters converted into Reactors I've concluded means to remove the foams, and use bagged media on each level??

Thanks for reefing (reading),

Rob

 

[BigHildy53]

I used canister filters heavily in my freshwater days. Canister filters are just a different type of media reactor. They have mechanical, chemical and biological filtration all in one physical unit. I am not familiar with Eheim canister filters. The top layer of foam is meant to capture larger particles of detritus. These would otherwise clog the media. What type of conversion are you referring to?

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I used canister filters heavily in my freshwater days. Canister filters are just a different type of media reactor. They have mechanical, chemical and biological filtration all in one physical unit. I am not familiar with Eheim canister filters. The top layer of foam is meant to capture larger particles of detritus. These would otherwise clog the media. What type of conversion are you referring to?

I was under the impression from this other guy I spoke to that I can use which ever media (bag them) and layer it into the cannister...i don't really know actually all these new things are a little overwhelming...but he mentioned I can use things like carbon or other types of media...says what the cannister is currently doing is housing nitrates

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I used canister filters heavily in my freshwater days. Canister filters are just a different type of media reactor. They have mechanical, chemical and biological filtration all in one physical unit. I am not familiar with Eheim canister filters. The top layer of foam is meant to capture larger particles of detritus. These would otherwise clog the media. What type of conversion are you referring to?

I remember who I was talking to say to remove the foam because thats whats housing all the deteius and house all the potential for high nitrates...he says unless I want to clean it 3x a week...he mentioned I should just use things like GFO (still have to look that one up) carbon...and that my rock and live sand can be the bio...

Again...still very intimidating...cuz this is all very new to me...and learning new things...not what I was taught when I purchased the tank...which I bought from big als lol

 

[IzzysPop]

following

 

[BigHildy53]

You can use the canister for whichever filter media you want. It's not a right or wrong situation. You can certainly use the sand and rock for your biological filtration. And put carbon and gfo in the canister. Without a protein skimmer, you may consider adding extra biological media into the canister. But that depends on how heavily you plan on stocking the tank with fish. If you do put biological media in the canister, always use saltwater when cleaning the media (such as during a water change). This will prevent the beneficial bacteria from being killed.
Regarding the foam, yes the foam must be cleaned. How often is opinion more than science. Foam is no different than a filter sock. Both capture detritus; replacing a 200 micron filter sock once a week is no different than cleaning the foam once a week. If you remove the foam, make sure you have some form of mechanical filtration prior to the canister intake. Otherwise detritus will, eventually, clog the pores of the media in the canister; reducing the effectiveness of the media.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

You can use the canister for whichever filter media you want. It's not a right or wrong situation. You can certainly use the sand and rock for your biological filtration. And put carbon and gfo in the canister. Without a protein skimmer, you may consider adding extra biological media into the canister. But that depends on how heavily you plan on stocking the tank with fish. If you do put biological media in the canister, always use saltwater when cleaning the media (such as during a water change). This will prevent the beneficial bacteria from being killed.
Regarding the foam, yes the foam must be cleaned. How often is opinion more than science. Foam is no different than a filter sock. Both capture detritus; replacing a 200 micron filter sock once a week is no different than cleaning the foam once a week. If you remove the foam, make sure you have some form of mechanical filtration prior to the canister intake. Otherwise detritus will, eventually, clog the pores of the media in the canister; reducing the effectiveness of the media.

To be honest with you I dont even know what type of media comes with the initial canister...thats how new I am to this whole thing. I paid these guys ag Big Als to setup my tank...in the meantime I've relied on their information ND focused more on creating a stable system...little did I know I'd be in this mess.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

You can use the canister for whichever filter media you want. It's not a right or wrong situation. You can certainly use the sand and rock for your biological filtration. And put carbon and gfo in the canister. Without a protein skimmer, you may consider adding extra biological media into the canister. But that depends on how heavily you plan on stocking the tank with fish. If you do put biological media in the canister, always use saltwater when cleaning the media (such as during a water change). This will prevent the beneficial bacteria from being killed.
Regarding the foam, yes the foam must be cleaned. How often is opinion more than science. Foam is no different than a filter sock. Both capture detritus; replacing a 200 micron filter sock once a week is no different than cleaning the foam once a week. If you remove the foam, make sure you have some form of mechanical filtration prior to the canister intake. Otherwise detritus will, eventually, clog the pores of the media in the canister; reducing the effectiveness of the media.

Thanks for clarifying some of this. Im not looking to have this big crazy reef. Just a little zoa garden...a few small fish...a few easy lps...and maybe an anemone down the road.

Was even thinking of asking this guy I met who owns a small shop if I can volunteer at his store so I can learn more about this hobby --- cuz mentally I know I'm gonna gain a lot of peace when I'm comfortable.

 

[Chela101]

Hey everyone,

It seems Ive been steered in a direction I wish I hadn't been -- but can't change the past. I'm currently running A Eheim Cannister Pro on my 65 tank. Have a softie, acan and few zoa frags and a few small fish. I've just learned Canister filters aren't really great, but, now I have one so I have to make the best with what I got for the time being. I read and heard that I can convert the cannister into a filter reactor...ok...I sort of get the idea...what types of media would be great to use?

Also, before I convert it, I maintanenced it 1 month ago (I've had it running for 5 months)...until I have some time off to buy the media to convert it into a reactor, what part should I be cleaning 1-2 times a week? Do I rinse just the top foam? Tank water? RODI water?

I realized something was off when I started to see some possible cyano.
Did a nitrate test -- 25 using salifert
Waiting to get my test in the mail for phos (amazon)

I should also mention I don't have a protein skimmer. I'm okay doing water changes until I get one. I know getting one will be beneficial, and I will in the future, just want to fix the mess one step at a time.

My research on Cannisters converted into Reactors I've concluded means to remove the foams, and use bagged media on each level??

Thanks for reefing (reading),

Rob

Okay I was thinking the same and like they said the sponge that the canister filter has can make you get even more nitrates and nitrites… but what if you change that sponge and you put like a plastic shield… like have you seen those cheap plastic fly swatters that has like lines on them.. you can cut it out and replace the filter that the canister has with the plastic fly swatter cut into shape to fit and bag the media and run it? Then you won’t have to worry about you getting more nitrates/nitrites problems… look up plastic fly swatter and you will see what I’m talking about and you can use that instead the filter the canister comes with.. just cut it out… use like 3 or 4 of them to make sure it’s strong enough so the bag doesn’t come out the canister

 

[Chela101]

You see how the swatted has holes on it… you can add like 3 or 4 of these together to make sure that everything stay in there if you just want the canister to be like a media reactor

 

[Debramb]

You need to remember that just as an undergravel filter worked biologically in freshwater, your media also is a biological necessity in saltwater. It’s all about the bacteria in your system, also, Do not rinse your sponges out in anything other than saltwater because freshwater will kill the bacteria in it. Don’t replace all sponges at once either. Your sand, rocks and filter all work together to stabilize your tank. It’s a Mother Nature kind of thing
Debra

 

[Chela101]

You need to remember that just as an undergravel filter worked biologically in freshwater, your media also is a biological necessity in saltwater. It’s all about the bacteria in your system, also, Do not rinse your sponges out in anything other than saltwater because freshwater will kill the bacteria in it. Don’t replace all sponges at once either. Your sand, rocks and filter all work together to stabilize your tank. It’s a Mother Nature kind of thing
Debra

of course I was just saying like using the canister just to have media floating around in a spot that water passes through a lot to have like carbon or gfo… without having to worry about nitrates building up in a spot… cleaning it with freshwater well that is up to the person how they want to clean it but my comment was to help him use the canister to run media WITHOUT risking of him getting nitrites and nitrates spike up because of a dirty filter