Newb Help? Canister Filter Content

I opened it up to take a look at everything. It's got the filter pads, this green fake easter basket grass stuff, a "sock" of charcoal and those bio balls. I'll just replace the balls with LRR

 

Yeah if you are gonna keep the filter pads remember to replace them often as the nitrates will build up in them.

 

Ok one more questions. I'm just starting this tank, still haven't even set it up. I want to learn as much as I can before I dive in, ya know? Anywhooooo, I have the filter and it's rated to 100gal whereas my tank is only 40gal. Can I go without a skimmer for a little while or will I need it right away for cycling and such? Sorry if these are silly questions guys....

-whippy


PJSATC86, if I were to replace the pads, what would you suggest I replace them with? I'm trying to get the best start possible with what I have right now.

 

When I first set up my tank I had a canister and it only caused nitrates. You should have enough LR in your tank. I have no sump either but I do have a Aqua C Remora skimmer which a good skimmer is a must. I put my carbon and ferric oxide in a HOB AquaClear 50 which is real easy to change unlike a canister filter which you have to take apart. On my next future tank I will get a sump for convenience of placing equipment in and it also a great way if you need to separate fish without giving one back to the store. Alot of stuff I learned in time. Good Luck
Adam

Also what I did is buy the live bacteria that is refrigerated until use. With the you can add a fish immediately and you bypass the Ammonia, Nitrite part and go right to the nitrate part. The live bacteria is only sold in a refrigerator in your local store not stuff on shelves.

 

Yeah, I hear you.
I don't have the space right now for a sump/ref. I was looking at the SeaClone skimmers or one of the Prizm skimmers....maybe the one of the Aqua C Remoras. Either way it will have to be HOB because I just don't have a lot of room to play with yet. Is it possible to nix the filter and just run a skimmer? I'm so confused

 

I have a Aqua C Remora skimmer, plus the two canisters. I have just finished cycling my tank. I will let you know how the canisters work out, but the person I bought the tank from had it set up for 2 years as a reef tank and said she had no problem with the nitrates setup this way. You can get replacement filter pads or filter sock or floss. I mean if you are worried about it you could always just run the canister empty for extra water and flow.

 

Ok one more question regarding the canister. The water intake hangs down toward the bottom of the tank and looks like a slotted pen cap (usual intake look). Can I eventually surround that with foam so that nothing sensitive sucks onto it or will that be detrimental to the filter motor?

 

It can cut the flow down but yes, we had to add one to ours when we had a cuc. One finally fell off and he got sucked into the powerhead. Woke up to see him attached to powerhead. Unhooked powerhead and he walked around with it attached to him for a while.

 

LOL, he walked around with it????? LMAO! I wish you could see the picture I have in my mind

 

How often should activated carbon be changed?