Nitrate factory?

[edd_hardy]

I often hear cannister filters being described as 'nitrate factories', but have never fully understood why?
Thanks
Ed

 

[ostrow]

Do a search on RC on "cannister nitrate". I pulled up a bunch. Here's one explanation:
http/reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...nnister+nitrate

Basically, you are fine if you change the media weekly and clean all surfaces of the canister in RO/DI water vigorously, also weekly. You need to do this because detritus build-up generates nitrate and phosphate, which will cause cyano and algae problems in the tank.

IMO that is a) expensive and B) a pain in the butt.

Run your skimmer a bit more on the wet side to take out more gunk, and run a micron bag with carbon when needed. Maybe a filter sock (clean and change it regularly) on the sump if you want. Much, much cheaper.