Canister filter

[chester]

I have an Eheim classic with filter media ehfimech and ehfisub plus course filter , how often do I clean media , also I assume I clean with tank water when doing water change?

 

[Anonymous]

I am totally green to reefs, but everything I've heard is that it's not the greatest idea to run them for a reef setup.. "Nitrate factory" is the term I've heard people put to them.

I used to run a Magnum 350 when I did FO though.. I think I cleaned it maybe once every 2 months. (I shut it down during feedings though...) Also never did water changes either actually. Just topped off with purified (DI'd) tap. Amazingly enough I actually had sponges start to grow with this setup too.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah chester, if you wanna keep that canister for carbon media use, that is about all it is good for. it will provide water motion if you are needing it for that.

as far as any filter media other than carbon, pull the stuff out, it will just collect gunk in there that will decay. which produces more ammonia for your system to deal with and throws a curve ball at your nitrogen cycle everytime you clean the canister.

people rarely utilize carbon more than once a week, some only a few times a year. it is only active for about week, then pull it out.

 

[smokin reefer]

99% of what podman said. But I use my carbon for at least 3 weeks, to a month. As long as the water is flowing though it that is. But I only use the carbon when I feel it is nessacary. That feeling will come with experience.