canister filter = nitrates??

bandr1002 · 06-19-2008, 03:22 AM

hey all, it's me again....lol

i have a quick ?? about canister filtration. i just recieved a canister filter and i was wondering if it will actually cause more damage than good. is it a fact that they are nutorious for keeping nitrate levels high??

i am currently running a emporer 400 (2 bio wheels) and it is only turning my water 8 times per hour, i would like to add the canister (not replace the emporer). i do have a skimmer as well.

las4444 · 06-19-2008, 05:54 AM

I think the real answer is how you maintain it. Even a wet/dry can produce abundant nitrates if not maintained properly.

On my reef, I have NO filtration other than a three inch diameter catch filter for catching big items to protect my pump.

I trust someone who uses one can help explain how to maintain it.

Judge · 06-19-2008, 07:24 AM

Hi Bandr. I have a MArineland Mag 350. My Na do not run high at all but I change filtration every week without fail. It works really good but I think it is very important to maintain it. I not only change the media but I rinse out pretty good. I try and leave what I believe to be beneficial bacteria on the foam sleeve but everything else gets rinsed really good and fresh carbon added. Hope this helps.

bandr1002 · 06-19-2008, 12:00 PM

indeed it does, and ty for the answers...

so this is the story of how i got it....

i called an add that was placed in the classifieds for a 30 gal tank with stand. I was not really lookin for a tank, but it was only 30 bucks (will make a great hospital). i asked the man if he had a filter, and he said he had one for 30 bucks. Then he tells me about this canister that he had purchased in the classifieds for 50 bucks. (but it leaks) "you can have it for free, if you want it" o.k. i take the filter home, set it up (in the sink) to see where it was leakin from, and to my surprise..... there is NO leak. as it turned out the man who gave it to me hooked up the plumbing loosley and he did not no how to use it...... lol i was thinking of buying a canister, but Y should i if he is willing to give me a perfectley good running one for free!!!!

so all in all, i spent 30 bucks on my PC'S 2 @ 96 watts, and got my canister filter for free!!!! who said saltwater tanks were expensive???
LMAO!!!!

Judge · 06-19-2008, 12:08 PM

You may have earned your black belt in shopping. I've had mine for awhile and it is nice to get a real bargain..isn't it? GFY

Jay · 06-21-2008, 07:03 AM

Let's get back to the original question. Nitrates are the result of the break down of ammonia compounds by nitrifying bacteria. Bacterial action on food, decaying plants, detritus etc. are all sources of nitrates. It is impossible not to have some nitrates in the tank.

It is not the filter that causes a nitrate problem, it is lack of regular cleaning, overfeeding, failure to vacuum thoroughly, and do regular water changes.

The bacteria that consume nitrates are anaerobic (do not like 02) so they will not grow in a filter. There are filter bags available filled with nitrate scavaging resins that will greatly reduce nitrate amounts. Regular cleaning and water changes will do the same thing

Regards,
Jay

Nereaga · 06-21-2008, 12:30 PM

Couldn't have said it better myself Jay!

Judge · 06-22-2008, 06:34 PM

I am really glad you pointed that out. I was at a LFS (which shall remain nameless) and had a man want to know exactly WHY i had any NitrAtes in my tank at all. I tried to explain it to him but unfortunately I am not as good at explaining the "cycle" as Jay. He (lfs dude) thought I was nuts and told me he was surprised that anything in my tank was alive!! Not shopping there anymore!

chadf · 06-22-2008, 06:49 PM

IME anything such as a sponge or filter media that has water forced through it and catches stuff is a nitrate factory and should not be used. Filtration is best left for live rock and live sand which complete the nitrogen cycle by converting nitrates to nitrogen gas, not stopping at nitrates.