Converting Canister Filter..

[belindamotion]

Hi guy's and girl's...
I have this Tetra EX700 and want to convert it to "Chemical Filtration"...all is as this picture shows...there is 4 layers...I was thinking of bottom 2 for LR and then RowaPhos and Purigen in the other 2 with the filter mat on top...?


I'm struggeling with GHA and I can honestly say that Viper357 cannot hold a candle to me with regards to growing GHA... I've done just about all I can think of..changed my Light Tubes...clean Canister every 2 weeks...do about 30% water changes weekly...decreased my Feeding..syphon the GHA when I do water changes...even scrub with toothbrush weekly...I honestly just think my Canister is a Nitrate Bomb and with no Sump and my current "in adequate Filtration"...I'm loosing the battle...In the beginning I was fine with it as my Nemo's "host" in my GHA and I actually grew it for them.......but now I'm sick of GREEN......I saw this...Can you tell me how this works and can I add this also, instead of Liverock..? Or would that be overkill...? Nitra-Guard BIO-Cubes - South Africa Water conditioning & maintenance suppliers & manufacturers
Nitra-Guard BIO-Cubes - Marine Aquariums of South Africa

I actually stay away from "chemical" as I'm so afraid I might do something wrong and "overdose" my Tank with the result that I kill my Lifestock...

Happy as a pig in %&#(

[Tony]

Belinda, use it to hold GAC, a phosphate sponge and those Orca nitrate reducing cubes. The first chamber can be for a filter sponge and stack the other items in the chambers above the filter sponge. Chuck the bio balls and caramic rings out.

Have you tried bacteria and carbon dosing?

[belindamotion]

I've been using Special Blend for months now...

[RiaanP]

the filter mat will block up very easily. Important part is from where you pump the water into this system. From your last chamber would be wetter, but still it would trap detritus in there. Not a problem if you maintain it.

[2balive]

I used a canister filter in my previous tank, it worked well, with the exception of the filter mat, it collects quite a lot of gunk and being out of sight, and not so easy to get to, did not get cleaned very often and might have been a nitrate factory.

In terms of chemicals, I would never run a nano without Purigen, I run mine with double the "recommended volume" and there is no risk of over "dosing". Also likes Chemipure (not the Elite version).

I know I may get shot, but I would stay away from iron based phosphate removers (like RowaPhos) as it can stuff around with your KH in such a small tank. There is some great new "resin" ones available now like Brightwell Phosphate R resin.

Also some direct Nitrate absorption media now available like Nitra-Guard.

I have used both of the above, and they work very well, so well that my LPS went nearly transparent when I added them the first time. Think that it is probable one of the two issues I have with these types of medias, they either really work well or don't work if you replace them to late. Also a bit expensive if you don't regenerate them (can buy the agent and then it is not expensive) and I hate regenrating them.

Very tempted to use Nitra-Guard BIO-Cubes, only worry I have is that it needs a skimmer to remove the bio-mass. My skimmer does not work to well when the pump strainer gets clogged, so not sure what will happen to the bio-mass when it is not quickly removed by the skimmer?

Also look at WaterBoy's inline filters, they work well, needs a small pump and is easy to clean and maintain.

[belindamotion]

So would it then be...Purigen...maybe Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge...Nitra-Guard BIO-Cubes...GAC and then Filter mat...no need for some LR...?

[dallasg]

Bio cubes work well, they can be used in a canister, I use them and know the owner of ORCA well, I been using them for a while

[2balive]

How important is it to have a big/good skimmer when you use it? I have been using the Nitrate Media, great stuff, just the regenerating bit gets to me, a bit lazy, so the Bio Cubes sounds like a good option.

[dallasg]

The created biomass is removed via skimming or corals eating it. Any skimming will help

[belindamotion]

Thanks for the replies...who would stock them and how do the "cubes" look ..any average price for me to work on...? Which Phosphate Sponge would the majority select..?

[Tony]

Belinda I like the Orca stuff. The phosphate sponge can be regenerated. I'm just not sure who stocks it in your neck of the woods. Maybe you can get it couriered down to KZN

[butcherman]

I agree with Dallasg and Tony, Try the Orca Bio cubes in the canister.

[Nur]

Instead of filter mat use sponge, not a very compact composition.

I've been running my 2m setup on two canister filters for 16 months now.
My canisters are running with:
Bottom up
LR
Ceramic noodle
Sponge
Carbon
Sponge
Filter pad

My trick is to Cut the filter pad to only cober about 75% of the basket
Filter pad is right on top for easy access and quickly changeable.
This way if I forget to change it there is enough room for water to flow.
It won't get clogged completely, you'll notice the flow from canister will decrease.
Takes about a minute to change. Thus far I have only needed to change filter pads
twice in each canister. I even have mushrooms and sponge growing in the canisters.

Have you thought of a aqua clear hong on filter for chemical filtration?

[mupwi]

Have you tries cheto I had a huge gha farm squized dry was taking out about 200g/week from my 4ft since ading cheto its all gone time to trim mine if you want