Keep using the fluval??????

[N1Husker]

I have a 36 gallon corner tank and when I first started this hobby in March I was told I needed a canister filter by an LFS. I went on ebay and got one. I also have an Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I now know that I should have a sump, but I don't really have the funds for the sump, overflow, pumps, etc., I am retired and can't afford one right now. In the filter I have the filter pads, live rock rubble in the bottom tray, bio max ceramic rings in the middle and top baskets. I clean it once a week and have changed the foam pads every three months. My question is, should I stop using the filter and just rely on the protein skimmer until I can afford a sump system, or do I need a sump at all with this small of a tank? If anyone can help I would appreciate it. By the way, I have 35 lbs. of live rock, 2 zebra hermit crabs, 1 scarlet hermit crab, 4 red legged hermit crabs, 1 blue legged hermit crabs, 2 emerald crabs, 1 sand sifting star fish, and a young sailfin tang, and asst. corals. I know the aquaqrium isn't big enough for him, probably will have to find him a new home when he gets bigger. He seems happy now.

 

[Krish]

To be honest, I'm afraid that it probably won't be long before that canister starts working against you how you are running it. In addition to the liverock shedding in there and detritus building up, it will become a nitrate factory. Also, the filter pads if left un-changed or un-cleaned every 3-4 days will do the same. Just imagine all of that fish poop, waste, detritus etc it traps sitting there and rotting. It will begin to break down and degragde water quality. The pad catching it isn't what helps with water quality, but rather it is removing the waste after it is has been trapped. By leaving the filter pad in there for 3 months is just the same as not using one as the waste is still in the system. The most I'd personally use a canister filter for is to run carbon. I think just not using the fluval the way you are using it will show improvements in your system and yes, the skimmer without it can work. This is how I run all of my tanks. No filter pads, sponges etc and only a skimmer with weekly water changes.

Just a few thoughts personal. Good luck!

 

[Sasquatch]

the fluval is a wonderful devise for your tank, just not the way its being used. If you empty all the junk out of it and install a piece of filter floss or reticulated foam its something you can put on the tank for a day a week and blast everything with a turkey baster, as Krish states the detritus build up is a long term issue, so put on cannister, turkey baste up a muck storm and let it run for a day, then do a water change, thoroughly wash and dry the floss/foam and repeat maintenance schedule weekly. I think anything that traps waste for three days is creating nitrates.

 

[N1Husker]

So as I understand it, chuck everything in the filter, unplug it, and one day a week stir up the detritus in the tank with a turkey baster, put filter floss and possibly carbon and run it for a day, then do a water change? Just what does carbon do, and what is reticulated foam? How often to I replace the carbon on this schedule?

 

[Sasquatch]

So as I understand it, chuck everything in the filter, unplug it, and one day a week stir up the detritus in the tank with a turkey baster, put filter floss and possibly carbon and run it for a day, then do a water change? Just what does carbon do, and what is reticulated foam? How often to I replace the carbon on this schedule?

carbon removes toxins and the "yellow" tinge from the water, you could just use carbon in the tank with a small pump, don't think a days use then reuse later is a good idea. Reticulated foam is a very porous, low density solid foam. 'Reticulated' means like a net. Reticulated foams are extremely open foams i.e. there are few, if any, intact bubbles or cell windows. its what is used with submersible pumps and sometimes the outflow on skimmers, I like it because it lasts for years and washes up real good

 

[Charmain]

I have a fluval305 canister can and should I just remove the foam pads and leave that area blank. I've heard of others doing this.

 

[Krish]

I have a fluval305 canister can and should I just remove the foam pads and leave that area blank. I've heard of others doing this.

Personally yea, I'd just run carbon in it only and call it a day unless you are prepared to stay on top of cleaning those foam pads or changing them every 3-5 days.

Welcome to RF BTW :welcome:

 

[Thrawn]

I might as well squeeze my Fluval question in here too. I'm looking at buying a 90 gallon FOWLR tank from someone later this month. I don't know too much about it yet cause I haven't gone and looked at it yet but I know they're running "2 huge fluval canisters" on it, I'm assuming either 305 or 405. If I ever make the transition to a reef with it, I would have to build a sump for it but would it be okay to use just the filters plus a skimmer on it since it's only a FOWLR? Possibly using the above mentioned turkey baster method once a week?