Canister filter question

[Mishikal]

I've got a question on my setup. My tank is going to be a reef tank.

I have a 55 gallon with a aqua c remora (maxijet) protein skimmer, and 50 pounds of live rock. I also have a fluval canister filter with 2 powerheads for current.

My question is what should I use my canister filter for? Should I have carbon in it? Should I have the biomax circle biological filter things in it? Should I use polywool to filter the water in it? I just want to know what I need to use in the canister filter. It has a really good flow and I want to keep it but I am just confused on what I should use it for?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[MikeS]

The biomax and polywool generally will turn the canister into a nitrate factory. I'd recommend keeping it for carbon and phospahte reducing media when needed...

MikeS

 

[Mishikal]

Right now I have biomax and carbon. So I should just take out the biomax? I thought it wasn't that good to run alot of carbon because it takes out vital nutrients in the tank?

 

[MikeS]

Yes, I'd remove the biomax. Do it slowly, over a week-10 days, so your tank has time to adjust to the reduction in bacteria this will cause.

Carbon does strip some good stuff out, but it does not need to be used all the time. Regular water changes will help replenish these things as well when carbon is used.

Mike

 

[BCT182]

I had the cascade canister, alot like the fluval 404 and within two days of shutting it down my nitrates dropped about 40ppm. The only time I use it is to polish the water. (carbon and phosphate remover)
Brett

 

[PrimalScream]

When I first got into the hobby, I had a Fluval and I quickly learned what a nitrate factory it really was unless you just got rediculas with media changes. As mentioned earlier...I used mine about twice a week for polishing the water and would run some carbon or something through a day or two every couple of weeks.