Used for mechanical, chemical, and/or biological filtration in saltwater aquarium systems, canister filters are quite flexible. A tank filter can be utilized all the time or be added and started only when necessary.
They can function as a single filter or be used along with other types of filters. Here are some examples for each type.
For mechanical filtration
An aquarium owner with a substrate filter can incorporate a canister filter into the setup connected to the aquarium to eliminate free-floating particles from the water that would usually be drawn in and trapped in the substrate. Running a canister filter continuously in this kind of aquarium setup helps enhance water quality.
An aquarium owner who has a semi-reef tank with fish and aeration stones may opt to install an in-line canister filter that serves as a «pre-filter» to remove unwanted waste, air particles, and debris from the tank water before it moves into or through the biological filter (for example, a wet/dry filter) or the aquarium’s main water supply, like through a swimming pool. This is also applicable in reef aquariums containing live rock and coral, yet the ongoing discussion about mechanical filtration in this type of setup is that such a system removes the helpful plankton life in the water that many marine animals rely on.
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Hanging canister filters are frequently used only as a means of mechanical filtration during regular tank cleaning and maintenance tasks. They are also one of the easiest methods to stop the emergence of copepod and amphipod larvae. You know, those tiny white bugs you often spot swimming or scurrying around your aquarium.
For chemical filtration
For an aquarist who needs help solving a water quality problem, he can use granular activated carbon (GAC) in acquarium to help remove odors, medications, or other contamination from water, as well as use other types of absorbent products designed to remove nitrates, phosphates, silicates, and other unwanted chemicals or compounds. This type of filtration also applies to filtering tap water before using it to make sea salt mixes or adding it to a freshwater aquarium.
For biological filtration
Although many canister filters are designed for biological filtration, and many aquarists use them that way, they are not the best choice as a “primary” source of biological filtration. These can be useful for smaller systems, but most do not have a container large enough to hold enough biological filter material compared to large ones. They are therefore not suitable for use for this reason alone, but can continue to be used in conjunction with another form of biological filtration such as aeration rocks or a wet/dry filter for further mechanical filtration of the aquarium water.
Now, one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a canister filter is water flow, not based on what the manufacturer says you’ll get, but what you’ll get after considering a few other factors.
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Water flow considerations
The flow indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions is reflected as an empty filter with zero pressure (the container should not pump water). Two basic factors will affect or decrease the flow rate of a hood filter.
- Use of additional materials (carbon, etc.) or filter materials (polyfilters or threads, micropleated cartridges, sponges, etc.) within the material space of the container.
- Canister filters are often stored underneath acquariumso there is a lot of pressure to handle in the filter head and possibly a long hose to get the water through. For the filter that connects to the aquarium, you will get a water flow closer to that stated by the manufacturer because there is little or no final pressure.
Considering the above two factors, the exact water flow can be determined after purchasing a canister filter to work on your aquarium, or you can estimate it by applying the flow equation to determine GPH water flows before purchasing one. After you’ve made your estimate and considered the other factors and you’re still not sure whether your choice is a good one or not, it’s not a bad thing to buy a larger filter than you think you’ll need. You cannot filter water too many times, but you can have a problem if the water is not filtered enough because this leads to poor water quality. We recommend rotating the water in the container 6 to 10 times per hour.
Another feature to consider
There are many brands of canister filters on the market. Some of the most popular traditional outdoor filters are Eheim, Fluvial, and Magnum, to name a few. Regardless of the brand you choose, each manufacturer has its own distinctive features in terms of design, so your research into the different types is very important. Some are designed with special features, such as those that use dust or diatomaceous earth to improve filtration to very fine levels. Robert Fenner says these types can be subclassified as «pressure filters» which can increase electricity consumption, so it’s best to use them periodically rather than continuously.
The best way to figure out what type of canister filter you need is to determine what function you want it to perform, then decide from there which type you should purchase.
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Another factor that can contribute to your canister filter not operating at maximum efficiency and with slow water flow is not properly or regularly cleaning the unit.
Here are some maintenance tips that will help prevent or reduce the reduction in water flow and operational efficiency of a canister filter.
- Place the canister filter in a place where you can access it for cleaning. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to neglect maintenance because it’s a pain to get to the unit.
- If the manufacturer of your canister filter offers helpful tools to make the task of cleaning your unit faster, easier, and drier, you are more likely to need to service your filter more often.
- Purchase additional micron cartridges, dental floss, sponges, granular activated carbon (GAC), and other filter media or absorbent products to use in the container. This way, you can quickly change or rotate the material, eliminating the hassle of removing and cleaning or refreshing the only cleaning tool you have on hand before you can reinsert it into the filter.
- You will notice a slowdown in the water flow when the filter material in the container becomes dirty. You can never clean it or change it too often, unless you use the biological filter container. Otherwise, the media or filter material must be cleaned or changed regularly, at least once a week. If left dirty, this will reduce water flow and allow an unwanted load of waste to build up in the filter system, which in turn contributes to poor water quality problems, the main reason being an excessive build-up of nitrates in the water. acquarium.
- Because build-ups of algae, calcium and salt crystals can form inside the hose, material container, impeller and other areas of the unit where water passes through, at least once a month the filter should be completely detached and all sections cleaned to remove any blockages.
- Don’t worry about losing biological bacteria due to cleaning or replacing the filter material. Remember that the purpose of a canister filter is to remove and clean the aquarium water of waste and debris. It is not a biological filter, unless for some reason it is not used for that purpose.
Read also: Acriflavine for aquarium fish
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