canister filter media

[straydog]

I'm not a new member but have a new tank so lets go with that. The tank is a drilled 12"cube that I'm using the over flow to feed the canister filter . I know it is not a good source of filtration but I'm willing to put in the work to keep it as clean as possible . My question comes down to what is the best type of media to put in the canister . I'm thinking sponge filter or filter floss to buffer the large particles and chemi pure elite just because it's the best stuff ever invented. Other than that i can only think of fosban but it wouldn't tumble in there so I'm noy sure it would help. any other suggestions ???

 

[nickg]

I would use as much Matrix as you can. I have a Fowler on a rock wall where I had no choice but canister. I have Carbon, Matrix, Ceramic rings, and 2 sections of sponges. No issues here...

 

[straydog]

Just checkout the matrix looks like a great product. It says 500ml for 50 gallons . The tank is 7.5 gallons and maybe 1.5 gallons in the filter . Would you go with more than 500 ml ? It also says it can be rinsed with no harm to the bacteria. Would you think rinsing it 2 or more times a week would be too much ?

Edit: Would you suggest using fresh saltwater or rodi to rinse tje rubble to clean it ?

 

[rodasphoto]

I don't think you can go overboard with Matrix. I would put as much as I could fit along with some ROX Carbon, maybe purigen, and GFO.

 

[nickg]

I would not put GFO in a canister filter... I rinse out my canister once every month or so. Well I tell myself that, turns into once a quarter.... I rince with tap water, with no issues.

 

[straydog]

I'm cleaning my canister once to twice a week keeping the gunk out of the sponge filters and doing partial water changes at the same time. So matrix ,puragen , chemipure elite , rubble rock and sponge filters. Dump the saltwater rinse every thing with freshwater then refill with saltwater .

 

[nickh06]

Allen;916506 wrote: Rubble rock is great in canisters. Just be sure to clean them out every water change. I love my canister filter. Makes water changes a breeze.

Curious to hear how canisters make water changes easier?

 

[camellia]

Nickh06;916618 wrote: Curious to hear how canisters make water changes easier?

+1

Me too I hate water changes.

 

[straydog]

When i dump the old water and refill the canister filter with new water , on this small a system the cleaning of the filter becomes the the water change.