How To Set Up A Canister?

[DoubleJ]

I have a Rena XP3 on my 55gl tank. From the bottom, it set like this:

bottom: Sponge filter media
next layer up: bio balls
next layer up: more bio balls
top layer: micro filter pad

Is this the way it's supposed to be? that's how the book advises it but, it seems to me that the bacteria has been growing in the bottom sponge layer and clogging. I'm not sure if there is bacteria living on the middle two layers or not. Should those be on the bottom and then the sponges filtering the water right before it goes back into the tank?

 

[Rodders]

Thats right. Bacteria will be everywhere. But it will prefer the cleaner water in the bio balls where the sponge filters at the bottom have caught all the large particles. I also put polywool after the bottom sponges so the waters even cleaner before the balls.

 

[PaulasPets]

Its not bacteria clogging up your sponge but dirt filtered out of the water. Just take the sponge out to clean. The bioballs will house the bacteria, the bacteria are too small to see, but they are there!

Paula

 

[DoubleJ]

So, if I take out the sponges and clean them in teh bathtub, I won't have to worry about killing the bacteria since they are in the bio balls?

 

[PaulasPets]

exactly!

Paula

 

[raptorrex]

So, if I take out the sponges and clean them in teh bathtub, I won't have to worry about killing the bacteria since they are in the bio balls?

lol i would use old tank water, in a bucket.

 

[DarkEntity]

Indeed, NEVER EVER EVER use fresh water when doing any maintenance on the filter. Always syphon tank water out and use that.

 

[Anita]

I have the same filter (2 in fact on an 85 gallon tank), once a month rinse out the first and third sponge. When you put them back in the filter, put the clean ones in the second and forth place, then 4 weeks later rinse the 1st and 3rd.

Pretty good method I think, works for me

Anita

 

[DoubleJ]

Thanks guys for all of the tips

 

[andywg]

Indeed, NEVER EVER EVER use fresh water when doing any maintenance on the filter. Always syphon tank water out and use that.

Actually, if you are only maintaining filter material that is there purely for mechanical reasons then it doesn't hurt to use tap water.

There is no way I can clean out my filter floss on my trickle towers without the shower being on full bore. I find it far better to have any unwanted bacteria on mechanical media killed off (there is more than enough bio media underneath) than to have waste decaying and becoming a nitrate factory in my filter.

The only concern would be if you are relying on the bacteria in the mechanical media to supplement that on the bio-media (in which case you are underfiltered) or if you are worried about bringing chlorine into the tank. If you are worried about chlorine, just dip the mechanical media into some dechlorinated water.