canister filtration?

[MandarinFish]

I have a lead on a *super* cheap Ocean Clear 325
Canister Filter. The description is below. I am setting up a 135 with a refugium and a sump. Do you recommend I get this?

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

325 Pleated 25 Micron & Carbon Filter A multi purpose filter system, the 25 micron spin bonded polyester filter provides polished filtered water that can be cleaned and reused. The Ocean Clear Carbon absorbs dissolved organics, fish odors, toxic metals and growth inhibiting enzymes and provides biological reduction of ammonia to nitrate.

What is the best place to put something like this, if you recommend it?

 

[NasotheHutt]

FO? FOWLR? Reef?

Scott

 

[MandarinFish]

I am intending to have limited fish and some soft corals.

I can get the Ocean Clear 325 for $10, while it sells new for $150.

What do you think?

 

[NasotheHutt]

It's really your call. $140 in savings is substancial. I have never used canister filters on my reefs. For $10 it would be worth it to use intermitantly to polish the water. From what I have seen, used full time, they require a good daily cleaning. IMO leave it off.

HTH

 

[MandarinFish]

It's a cheap canister filter, but I already have a Fluval 204 which I am wondering how to apply.

Even at a savings of $140, I'm stuck wondering how to use it (best, if at all).

Does anyone use canister filters to supplement?

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: MandarinFish ]</p>

 

[MandarinFish]

anybody?

 

[Carpentersreef]

Short answer, no. A filter medium will filter out plankton, which is what you WANT to have circulating through your system. It will also trap food particles and detritus that will end up not being broken down properly, and you will wind up with excess nitrates in your system. I would have a canister filter on hand though, in case you needed to run carbon only to remove toxins of some kind or another, say if a sea apple or something dies, or you frag a leather coral within the tank. I have used floss in my canister filter before, but that was an extreme case of a RIO pump frying and i had to remove black chunks and scum. It sounds like a good deal, so if you don't have a canister filter, get it. Just don't plan on using it all the time.

Mitch

 

[VkeSu]

We have a reef/fish/ w/ hard and soft corals. WE use our cannister all the time. We keep carbon in it 98% of the time now. We've done this for about 4 years. The corals seemed to look better whenever we run the carbon? Maybe because of the large mix? I'v never had a nitrate problem, but we do 7 gallon water changes every two weeks or so, on a 72 gallon, before any problems arise. (We've also been using tap water for about 1 1/2 yrs.)

 

[polyp]

I've got one that I put carbon and/or phosphate sponge in now and then. Otherwise, there's no filtration at all in it and I just use it for a little cross current across the top of the tank.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I've got a 90 gallon reef -the canister filter is a Fluval 404.

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: polyp ]</p>

 

[danmhippo]

I am with Carpentereef on this one. Canister WILL filter out too much wanted pods from your tank. You may not have put a filter in there, but all those carbon compartments definetly will filter out "beneficial" fauna.

If your purpose is to run carbon from time to time, Why get a canister but instead just buy a mesh bag, fill it with carbon, dump it in the sump? I have a old whisper 2 that I run carbon with, $20.00, and it's a hell lot easier to 1. change media, and 2. start siphon/pumping.

But, again, it's your call.

 

[monkeyboy]

For 10 bucks buy it to run carbon in. Otherwise it's a 10 dollar detritus trap.

 

[MandarinFish]

sooooooo..........

Use a canister, fill it with carbon, and use it only a % of the time?

 

[dukecola]

For $10, I'd buy it just because it's $10.

Can't resist a good sale. Seriously, it would make a great chemical filter when needed or mech filter if needed (One aquarium society member's kid poured a whole bottle of fish food in his tank). Imagine having to clean that quickly. Having this filter is a good backup, also if your main pump dies, you have emergency backup circulation as the canistars are usually powerfull enough to pump up from a sump.

R/Duke

 

[Carpentersreef]

Mandarinfish,
If you're looking for a number, it varies with your coral load and overall water conditions, which are always changing.
For a good start, try running the filter with carbon only 2 days in a row, once a month. Keep an eye on your corals, as they are the best indicators of your water quality, and modify how much you use carbon from there.
Even if you put a screen on it, anything sucked to the screen will be trapped. Run the intake and output both in your sump.

Mitch

 

[MandarinFish]

What if I put screen over the intake to keep pods from getting sucked in?

What % of the time do you recommend running a canister, for those who do?

(I have tons of carbon for it)