Fluval 406

[saltsavage]

I just upgraded to a 60g reef tank from a 29g. Thankfully the set up I bought came with a fluval canister which has worked well so far.

How often should I be cleaning/maintenance checking it?

 

[CodyRVA]

Watch this. Depends on your bio load, I had a setup that only required me to clean my canister every other week, sometimes it's more often. Things like running media reactors or having a lot of fish (heavy bio load) are going to dictate how often it must be cleaned.

 

[saltsavage]

Watch this. Depends on your bio load, I had a setup that only required me to clean my canister every other week, sometimes it's more often. Things like running media reactors or having a lot of fish (heavy bio load) are going to dictate how often it must be cleaned.

Thanks this is great! I have a pretty heavy BL but nothing crazy...

 

[CodyRVA]

Thanks this is great! I have a pretty heavy BL but nothing crazy...

Just test your water often and see where you're at. If you're noticing a steady climb in NO3 or PO4, maybe consider cleaning your canister more. I set mine up just like this video suggests: used sintered glass media, 2 layers of felt padding i cut from large pieces i got from a local craft store, and the large piece of coarse media i got from dr fosters and smith. Throw away the fine pads don't try and salvage them, felt is relatively cheap when buying in yards. Clean the coarse media with hot water, eventually it will need replaced. Do NOT clean your sintered glass media or you'll lose your bacteria. Play it by ear, if you're using other reactors and what not, that will affect how the cleaning regiment as well.

 

[saltsavage]

My big thing is always high nitrates. Thinking I might be over feeding a bit so I am toning that down. Bio load isn't crazy but may be a little heavy. Any tips for nitrates?

 

[CodyRVA]

My big thing is always high nitrates. Thinking I might be over feeding a bit so I am toning that down. Bio load isn't crazy but may be a little heavy. Any tips for nitrates?

I would try adjusting your feeding first. I a stickler for frozen foods, i never feed flake or pellets bc of how nutrient rich they are, but you certainly can, in adequate amounts. If you're still having issues, maybe consider carbon dosing to remove nitrates. Do you have any algae issues?

 

[saltsavage]

I would try adjusting your feeding first. I a stickler for frozen foods, i never feed flake or pellets bc of how nutrient rich they are, but you certainly can, in adequate amounts. If you're still having issues, maybe consider carbon dosing to remove nitrates. Do you have any algae issues?

Not too bad no. The normal build up a bit on the glass. No hair or anything else.

 

[CodyRVA]

Not too bad no. The normal build up a bit on the glass. No hair or anything else.

Gotcha, just try to monitor your feeding a bit and see what happens.

 

[saltsavage]

I've taken it back a bit so we will see! Aprreciate it!