canister filtration

[1MileCrash]

picked up a pretty nice 3 stage canister filter with built in uv filter and installed it about 2 months ago now.

big question i got here is how often do those of you with a canister setup change out your filter media or your crystals?

[Lady Hobbs]

Fishguy knows a bunch about filters and I think I read he said change out the filter monthly but he will be around to answer correctly. About the crystals.......???? What kind of filter and size do you have?

[1MileCrash]

i'm running a AQUAEL UniMax Pro 250 canister filter...more info at link

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

and they recommended Marineland Diamond Blend Filter Media...again...info at link

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

now the setup also has a tray of those little funky lookin Biological Balls which to my understanding don't get replaced...just the filtration crystal.

see...i knew that i needed this canister setup so i called and talked with the guy and he recommended this filter and these crystals but didn't give me much more direction beyond that.

[1MileCrash]

oh...and the crystals say "use with media bag." i didn't get any cause the guy said i didn't really need them. and when i got the canister it had filter media in it already ready to go...just needed to be rinsed off. and it had crystal media with no bag...so i'm thinkin to heck with the bags.

[Bill M.]

Ive got an Eheim Canister filter...
I just got it 3 days ago... but it says that it only needs to be cleaned every 3 months.... but I will most likely do it a little more than that... In my 29 gallon I am running an Aquatech 60 HOB filter as well as the Eheim... so my tank is turned over nearly 5 times an hour.... I will replace my carbon pad once a month on both of em.. so thats my maintenence...

[cocoa_pleco]

i NEVER change my media. unless i have a major parasite outbreak, which has never happened, i leave it. The media in my RESUN canister for 220g, OSCAR for up to 20g, and FLUVAL 205 never have been changed

[Drumachine09]

By "filtration crystals", do you mean carbon?

[1MileCrash]

By "filtration crystals", do you mean carbon?

i believe so yes. it is activated carbon crystals mixed with ammonia neutralizing crystals. actually...here's the 3 points that the site says about the crystals that i bought.

* Combination carbon/ammonia removing media ideal for new aquariums
* Blend of Black Diamond activated carbon and White Diamond
* Removes ammonia and dissolved organic waste for clean fish-safe water

[gm72]

Since adding sponge prefilters to all of my filters I don't touch the cannisters. I might open one up after about 6 months and see what's going on in there, though.

[1MileCrash]

Since adding sponge prefilters to all of my filters I don't touch the cannisters. I might open one up after about 6 months and see what's going on in there, though.

saying you did that...what would you be looking for inside the canister when you open it up?

[cocoa_pleco]

any snail overloads, fish carcasses, excess algae, broken parts, O-ring replacement etc.

[gm72]

Absolutely correct. Excess junk, parts, etc. I used to find a lot of excess debris, but not at all since I added those sponge prefilters.

[1MileCrash]

kool...thanks for the info. i guess that i'll just play the waiting game now and see if after 2 - 4 weeks if the ammonia levels drop. if they don't i'll open up the canister and have a look and maybe give the crystals a rinse.

[nanaglen2001]

Prefilters are a great idea. With them working its even possible that you need to clean your canister maybe 3 times a year instead of 4 times.

But you have to keep an eye on them, and clean them every few days. At least in the way I use prefilters.

[gm72]

I rinse out my prefilter sponges about once every other week.

[Dave-id]

My prefilter sponge is very fine, and most of the things that stick to it get picked off by shrimp. When I do water changes, I pull it off and squeeze it a couple dozen times under the old water, and it releases a huge cloud of brown "crud". It works great; my main media gets rinsed maybe two or three times a year, but is usually fairly clean.

[gm72]

Agreed, sounds like what I deal with on an annual basis.