Canister filters.

**fishguy125** · 11-30-2012, 02:13 PM

Hey guys, so I have little to no knowledge about canisters fiters and what they are all about. I am thinking of adding one to my 55G Cichlid community with an inline heater and the current UGF. I was basically wondering their pros/cons when compared against and external power filter.

**Rocksor** · 11-30-2012, 02:48 PM

Pro

1. Silent compared to HOBs
2. More space for bio-media
3. Able to put the aquarium closer to the wall
4. Less maintenance required than HOB

Con
1. maybe price
2. Maintenance a little more difficult in terms of moving the canister and flushing it out; however, this is offset to not having to do it as much as an HOB.

**fishguy125** · 11-30-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rocksor

Pro

1. Silent compared to HOBs
2. More space for bio-media
3. Able to put the aquarium closer to the wall
4. Less maintenance required than HOB

Con
1. maybe price
2. Maintenance a little more difficult in terms of moving the canister and flushing it out; however, this is offset to not having to do it as much as an HOB.

I am somewhat confused on exactly what maintenance for the canister entails?

**Cermet** · 11-30-2012, 05:48 PM

Simple, the internal trays (filled with bio-material and screening) must be removed and rinsed/cleaned so organic waste is removed - any where from a month to every three months depending on bioload. Otherwise, your tank nitrates will climb and the canister flow rate will decrease. Any good canister has valves on the unit to close so the entire canister can easly be removed and disassembled for cleaning at a sink. Very simple.

**Goes to 11!** · 11-30-2012, 05:49 PM

Click here to get the general idea, Come back for personal details.

**fishguy125** · 11-30-2012, 11:49 PM

I am still unclear on what filter medium needs to be changed, and how often?

**Dave Waits** · 12-01-2012, 01:10 AM

None, you use a sponge for your mechanical/biological filtration(Along with whatever little gizmos you put in the other trays for Bacteria building) and once a month you rinse it out in used tank water. Just squeeze the sponge in the bucket four or five times, and put it back in.

**genocidex** · 12-01-2012, 01:31 AM

the only media you need to change in any filter is chemical filter media ie carbon, ammonia filter ect. (i advise against anything other than carbon tho). and even then i would not use carbon unless you are trying to remove media.

also dont cheap out on a canister. i bought a jebo 838, short term it ran great, nice and quiet and a good bang for my buck. less than 1 yr later its louder than a 747 taking off.... not cool.

**fishguy125** · 12-01-2012, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by genocidex

the only media you need to change in any filter is chemical filter media ie carbon, ammonia filter ect. (i advise against anything other than carbon tho). and even then i would not use carbon unless you are trying to remove media.

also dont cheap out on a canister. i bought a jebo 838, short term it ran great, nice and quiet and a good bang for my buck. less than 1 yr later its louder than a 747 taking off.... not cool.

Would the carbon filter need to be changed per cleaning of the canister? And I was thinking of a 2213 with an inline heater.

**genocidex** · 12-01-2012, 02:11 AM

i think carbon filters need to be changed biweekly or something like that. most people here dont use them except when cleaning up after an ick attack....

what brand? and the size of tank?