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Canister Filters?

erics210

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Who uses them in their salt water set ups?
What size salt tanks would benefit from canister over sump.

What other uses do you have for a canister filter?
 

ecam

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I use my fluval filter on my qt tank. Stays cycled and really easy to clean and swap out as needed
 

njtiger24 aquariums

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I started out with a fluval on my 36 when I started out in the hobby it did great but then i went to my 54 which was sump ready. I thought about going back to the fluval when i switched back to the 36 but decided to try a hob fug (which really acting as a hob filter lol)
 

diana a

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My 90g and 60g have their own Fluval FX6. No sponges inside...has BRS 0.8 ROX carbon and SeaChem Matrix. The QT has a Fluval 406 only because that was a filter that wasn't being used other wise I would have used a small filter
 

erics210

Secretary
NJRC Member
Thanks for the input. I picked one up in a purchase a while back and wasn't sure what to do with it.
Was thinking about adding a bunch of filter floss on days where I do my sand filtering and water changes just to suck up more floating debris and clear the water faster. Sound like an idea? Anyone else do that?
 
Thanks for the input. I picked one up in a purchase a while back and wasn't sure what to do with it.
Was thinking about adding a bunch of filter floss on days where I do my sand filtering and water changes just to suck up more floating debris and clear the water faster. Sound like an idea? Anyone else do that?
You can do that for a short term solution the down side to canister filters is the bio load inside them can turn toxic. In my canister I have 1 layer of sponge that is carbon , 1 layer that is made to reduce phosphate, 1 layer made to reduce nitrates, a polishing sponge, a large bag of chemi-pure blue, a bag of Purigen and a bag of mixed filter media I made similar to chemi-pure. The layer were waste is trapped is on the very bottom so all water has to be scrubbed be for it goes back into the tank
 

diana a

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Sponges will cause problems if not cleaned. That is why I don't used them. The sponge acts like a filter sock for sumps. If you don't replace the sump sock with a clean one, you will have a problem. I placed an internal overflow box in each tank. Inside the overflow box has the intakes for the filter, and the skimmer. I created a shelf out of egg crate that sits midway level inside the box. I created this shelf to hold my homemade felt filter socks, and to keep the sock off the botton of the box so it doesn't interfere with the intakes . This filter sock gets changed every two to three days. The box also services as a way to skim the upper layer of water (hob skimmers tubes go too deep into the tank), to hid the heater, and place media if needed.
 

Mark_C

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I use one and fill it with actual socks.
Whenever I find I've lost one in the laundry I place its partner in the filter.
Due to its size and accessibility it can also function as a feeder.
Simply scrape leftovers into the unit, last chamber, and it will distribute through tank.
If need of cleaning, the top is easily removed and the dog can clear it out.
Also functions as a nice place to hide money (but put in a plastic bag, learned the hard way).
 

radiata

NJRC Member
I built a sulfur based denitrifying filter out of an Eheim 2217. I used some tubing, a small unused 2LF Phosban reactor, a few Eheim fittings, and an AquaLifter pump.
 
I use a canister filter. I don't have space for a sump. But, I use it more as a backup filter. If my skimmer or power filter goes, it still filters. I have been thinking of eliminating it as I recently had toxic build-up in my tank. Maybe I should add more materials to it like Brito did.
 
The simple fact that you can hide 90% or your equipment in your sump makes it a must have for me. A canister can be used, but I would personally only use it on a QT since it is a quick and easy solution.


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diana a

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The simple fact that you can hide 90% or your equipment in your sump makes it a must have for me. A canister can be used, but I would personally only use it on a QT since it is a quick and easy solution.


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You wouldn't know that my tanks didn't have a sump. All my intakes are located inside the overflow box
 
Not everyone has room for a sump. I don't have room for a sump. My stand has a horizontal shelf midway. I have about 6 inches around the back and side of my tank

That’s a good point, was just going off the assumption that since the tank is drilled the stand would allot for a sump


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ecam

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Not everyone has room for a sump. I don't have room for a sump. My stand has a horizontal shelf midway. I have about 6 inches around the back and side of my tank
Since it’s horizontal. You cAn cut it out. And replace it with a 2x4. (In case it’s providing side support). And then u have sump room


This is all assuming you even want a sump. Seems like your perfectly happy with the canister. Either way. Nice setup if you hid everything. Add some pics
 
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