Top 5 Common Canister Filter Mistakes - These Kill Performance (and Cause Floods!)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лип 2024
- #canisterfilter
#canisterfiltermistakes
Love them or hate them, canister filters will always have a place in the hobby. Over the years I have gained experience with a variety of filtration methods including Hang-on-Back ("HOB") filters, sump systems, sponges and, of course, canisters filters. One of the advantages of a canister is that they can hold a lot of media and can move a high volume (GPH) of water. But because they are a closed pressurized system, some have expressed that they are "nitrate factories." I'm not entirely convinced that this is true. When set up and serviced correctly they can run trouble-free, strong and quiet for years, and never be get so "polluted" to be considered a nitrate factory.
It answering the questions of viewers it became obvious that there were several common errors being made. Error that could have a very negative impact on canister performance and when not addressed correctly could even result in leak, noise and the person giving up on canisters.
Well, here are the 5 most common mistakes related to canister set up. When understood one can experience years of quiet and strong performance from their canister filters without worry over the possibility of a nitrate factory, leaks, noise and other issues. What are your thoughts? Do have a tip for canister users based on your first hand experience? Share it below because we all learn from each other on this channel.
If you like the content of this channel and are like me, always thirsty for new information related to fish keeping, why not hit that sub button and bell? Thanks!
Support the channel by using this link to get to Amazon: Amazon.com/shop/benochart - qualified purchases, in or outside of my store, gives the channel a small credit.
Pick up channel merchandise like mugs, hoodies and tee’s at my Teespring store here: ben-ocharts-store.creator-spr...
Join the “Garage Gang” and become a Patreon member. Go here for details: www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=13...
Here are some links to products I've used and recommend:
(You get a great deal by using these links and help the channel:
Filters:
SunSun 302-B (265 gph): amzn.to/2Y6Ylhy
SunSun 704-B (525 gph with UV): amzn.to/2YFbHjV
SunSun HW 3000 (793 with UV): amzn.to/3hCm54W
Filter pads for all SunSun filters: amzn.to/30Ieg7E
Cut your own filter pads: amzn.to/2zD6SiP
SunSun Pre-Filter (goes over intake): amzn.to/3fv6aU1
Pinky Filters: amzn.to/30QLNMS
Flexible hose cleaning brush: amzn.to/2N5x8p7
SunSun Pre-Filter (In-Line Canister): amzn.to/2UQ79WX
SunSun Canister O-Ring replacement: amzn.to/2BhU7uf
SunSun UV 9W replacement bulb: amzn.to/2N0eoHB
Suggested Bio Media that I use in my canisters:
Biohome Ultimate: amzn.to/3e8Cs70
MarinePure: amzn.to/37z9UB7
CNZ sponge filled bio-balls: amzn.to/3e7aitd
Pumice stone: amzn.to/2Y6vk5t
Crushed coral/aragonite: amzn.to/2N6DYKM
Chemical Filtration I've Used with Good Results:
Seachem Purigen: amzn.to/3hCygyG
Seachem Matrix Carbon: amzn.to/2Y6sOft
Mesh bags: amzn.to/2AJb4hj
Fluval FX-6 Canister Filter: amzn.to/30KhPu1
To see all recommended items visit my Amazon store here:
www.amazon.com/shop/benochart
For more fish keeping videos with tricks, tips and hacks, check out these playlists:
For "My Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here:
• "Best Fish Keeping Tip...
For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here:
• Fluval FX Canister Fil...
For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here:
• SunSun Canister Filter...
For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here:
• Water Change, Maintain...
For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here:
• Aquarium Canister Filt...
My Top 10 most popular videos of all time:
• Most Popular Videos wi...
Thank you Phil "Mr. Chips" Griffiths for the video logo at the end of the video.
Follow me on Instagram at: ben.o.cichlid and join a friendly group of fish keepers at:
Ben O'Cichlid on Facebook.
Never forget - YOU ROCK! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Haven't even finished the video yet, just want to say that I appreciate you getting right to the point where a bunch of other videos would have rambled on about why they think people should watch videos like that...like, I'm already watching the video, I know why I'm watching it, just tell me!
So, thank you.
I won't mention any names but some other very well-known and trusted guys put me to sleep before getting to the point.
Setting up my new 90 gallon tank with a new canister filter (coming from a hang on back filter) and I am so excited to see your video and enthusiasm for maintenance! THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AND ENERGY to upload helpful videos!!
I teased...but honestly so much of what you said helped me...from even cut tubes to using a garden shears...and putting carbon tray on top..those all made a huge difference for me. Also shortening that outward flow tube...very helpful!
Thanks Ben for the video. That is awesome information for someone who hasn't used a canister filter and is learning to set one up. It will save them a lot of headaches from trial and error. Hopefully when I get mine in operation my water be as pristine as yours in the videos.
Excellent point about the hose length re: motor! I'll have to check that out on my Fluval 107...
Hey Ben! Thanks for the tips on the canister filters! I liked the one on waiting longer to crack the canister depending on how dirty they get. I watched Pondguru’s Pimp My Filter on the FX 4. I ordered some Eheim pre-filter for around the ring of the bottom of the filter. I also ordered some course and medium sponges to put around the outside of each tray. Once the materials arrive, I will put them in and wait a little longer to crack the filter to see how they do. Thank you so much and please keep making these videos. I really enjoy them!
Great video, man. Good information on filters is so important to get out there.
It's amazing how many people don't know (or care) how the water flows through the filter and that is the most important part of running the filter as if it is set up wrong the biological results will be poor.
Thanks for the reference and there will definitely be something in the Pimp My Filter series of videos for everyone as there are quite a few vids up now and another 30+ shot and still to edit.
Groovy.
Great information Ben.
Thanks
Thanks for this great video. You speak from experience and you get to the point. Very helpful!
Wow! That is a massive magnet on your Sun Sun. I’m impressed! Following both you and Pondguru. Love all your videos, great job. I certainly subscribe to the addition of a prefilter on all my canisters. It makes maintenance so much easier. All my Eheim’s have the Eheim double prefilters, my Marineland C series 360 I use the smaller Marineland 160 as a prefilter strictly for mechanical. I’ve yet to try the SunSun but after watching your videos I just might pick one up. Thanks again.
Great reminder! I keep notes for the fishroom but never remember to document servicing the canister filters.
Good info Ben.
Great Informative video Ben!!
I have been debating on upgrading to a canister filter for over a year now, but after watching your video I’m now confident that it is something I can do. I have watched several videos about different installs, maintenance, and a variety of different makes and models, but no one has broke things down and made things so simple to understand as well as providing information on different types of canisters. Great video!
Love to hear this, thank you!
Well it's been a year since you commented. Did you get a sunsun filter? If so, how is it? If not, what did you finally get? Sorry, I'm being nosy.
Very informative, to the point. I actually feel that I have been educated, informed instead of dazed and confused.
"dazed and confused", LOL! Thank you Mary!
Thank you for the great input I just redid the hose connector based on your suggestion
Just got a new canister - Sun Sun 404B - I really learned a lot from you. THANKS!
Great video! I would agree with 100% of what you said and follow similar regiments with my Filstar's.
Thanks for the clear info! I’ve been out of the hobby for a while and getting back up to speed so I can throw myself back in 1000%! Your vid’s are wonderfully helpful. Can’t wait to set up the fish room!!!
I’m very glad to hear that the videos are helpful. Good luck with your fish room😀
Very awesome tips Ben as usual and one more is the gasket on the head of the sunsun last week mine started to lick and i was about to order one BUT with just some baseline and is now working like a champ 👍🤘
thank YOU BEN. And you also are appreciated . all the best from london.
Hey, Hello across the pond and thank you for watching.
Newbie with a canister filter for my turtle aquarium. Very informative and helpful. Thanks, Ben!
This was super helpful as I troubleshoot. Thank you!
I have found that PVC pipe cutters work well on those thick green hoses. On my SunSun, I've found that lubricating the impeller shaft with silicone grease helps a lot if you have some noise even if it's seated correctly.
Great video. Thank you. Lots of valuable information
Pre filter sponge is almost a must have. It's cheap, easy, and saves soooo much time
Wonderful.i like the step by step
Thank you sharing your knowledge with us, very helpful😊
Love pond guru , his advices, his help & top of all his media and Bacter gel balls is just amazing do serious job
Great video. Thank you!
Thanks for posting ...
Explained very well for serving external canisters... Good work mate.
Thank you George!
Brilliant Video Thanks for Sharing
Very useful information
Extremely useful tips, thank you!
Thanks Ben 👍
Good info, nice tank...thank you!!
Good advise.
Cool video as always Ben! Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Joe T thanks for watching Joe😀
Good tips. Tnks for sharing your insights.
Great info!! I was debating about buying a sunsun cause of all the bad comments and ended up buying a aquatop
Very good video. I have a 1200 Pen Plax canister. Never thought about putting a sponge on the intake and will try that. The only thing though I never rinse my canister sponge in tap water. Instead I have two 5 gallon buckets of tank water for cleaning. After draining off the media water from the tray I remove the sponge and squeeze it several times in the 1st bucket then several times in the 2nd bucket leaving it there. Then I do the same pattern rinsing up and down the ceramic rings in both buckets leaving all in the 2nd bucket while doing the canister housing etc with tap water.
Great advice thanks
Thank you very much for doing this video. I learned a lot.
Thank r, you just made it easy for me about the hose size of the canister fx 6
Great advice!
Awesome video, thanks for making Ben!
You are welcome!
You are awesome! Something about you tells me everything's going to be okay even if the world was to end. so for that thank you.
What a strange comment
What a beautiful comment 😊
Thats an insane comment.
@@lots33ml maybe you just don't have instincts 😂 cause the maker of the video is very calm and calming. You just have 0 clue
@@roblad6902 are you afraid of feelings 😂
OMG! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! Your video was soooo helpful!!!
with the water that you've rinsed the filters in you can water your plants with it they will BLOOM !!!
used fish water & waste is mint for the green stuff AH Yes .
Yes! plants love it.
I was planning to do this but forgot about it LOL
And saves $$
Fish poo fertilizer is not cheap!
Indoor plants and my garden love it!
That's a good idea to note when I last cleaned out my filter. I'll probably just put in my calendar
Great vedio as usual Thanks Ben for all this efforts.
Thank you!
Nice video!
Very instructive and helpful.
Daniel H thank you Dan
Super helpful thanks 👍🏾
I know this is an old video. But all great tips. Definitely a good idea to have an extra. I have two marineland c360 canister filters. One runs on my tank and the other one I've been scavenging parts off of. Been running good for 10 years.
Very Helpful Video..Thank U sir
This guy is extremely helpful
Thank you Bob!
I use a bit of crushed sand stone and alpha grog for pre-media in my tanks keeps the ph near perfect 6.8. I place it before the water goes through the sponges instead of using the ceramic rings like Richard prefers to do. I have the simster glass media from Richard after the sponges. A friend of mine uses a thin layer of charcoal in her last tray. The sponge covers for the intake is an excellent idea, especially for Fluval tanks as sand can sometimes be sucked in there when my Flowerhorn gets a little too excited! lol
Agree with ya Ben. Lotta good points. You would be amazed at how often one of these get you in trouble. Like my GPH or flow rate stronger than recommended for my aquariums so I can add DIY inline pvc stuff like the co2, heater, uv-c sterilizer or additional Biological Media without worrying about slowing down flow rate too much. Sometime in the future I plan on using a pre filter canister inline on the intake before the canister just to be able to see more accurately when maintenance is need since most prefilter canisters are transparent plastic for the body od the canister. Great Video and looking forward to seeing more
Puma1Sunfire1 Great points and pre-filters and intake sponges are a great idea!
I found using pvc plastic cutters for the pipe makes a lovely straight cut.
Thanks for the tips. I've been looking at getting a canister filter and been looking for all the dos and don'ts. My brother flooded our house as kids, so I've been hesitant about them for awhile.
I understand. To be safe I suggest you place it in a plastic flat container and use and inexpensive water alarm like a Watchdog unit. They run around $10.
great stuff
Thank you
You are meticulous and covered all aspects from top to bottom, good one
Swarandeep singh Thank you ... it made the video quite long but there was a lot to cover. Thanks for watching!
Awesome ❤
This was a logical break down of filter philosophy. Good vid……….
You and Pondguru are both my teachers. I learned so much from you both!
First time with a canister have the Fx4 this was helpful thank you
Glad it helped
Great video amigo
This is a lot of great information. I would maybe show pictures of examples of where and what you're explaining. One example would be with how dirty the water is determine the frequency of cleaning.
Thank you
I see this video is 3 years on now so you likely won’t see this post but thank you. I’m brand new to the hobby, I was gifted a 75 gallon tank and a fluval fx6 because the store told them it was their favorite.
I now know that this isn’t the normal setup for a newbie but it’s what I have. I am a bit overwhelmed because I’m trying to learn as much as I can so I don’t kill anything but the more I watch I also get more concerned I’m going to F things up at some point.
🤙🏻
I get it. Watch my Fluval playlist. They are great filters. Keep learning and then jump in since the real lessons will be in the doing. Good luck and always feel free to reach out.
@@BenOchart
I really appreciate that, thank you. 🤙🏻
Great video. !
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you🙏
Hi Ben. Thank you for your informational & tutorial videos which are excellent to the point and easy to follow.
I have a sunsun 303B with a LW604 canister prefilter.
I find that the sunsun is sucking in air from somewhere but I cant seem to figure out where. I've checked the input connections and I also don't see any air bubbles flowing from either the aquarium to the prefilter or from the prefilter to the SunSun but every few minutes it makes a noise & shoots out the air bubbles. I even put teflon thread tape around the cover O-ring to make an airtight seal and also around the nozzles of the hosepipe adapter that fits into the sunsun. Would you have any further pointers to troubleshoot where else the air could be seeping in from, apart from those mentioned in the video as already checked these and they all seem okay.
HI BEN; GREAT VIDEO AS USUAL
DANIEL VENDITTI Thanks Daniel!
Thanks Ben,I was wondering which one the pumps works most on (in take or out take) 👍👍👍
Great advice. The length of the hose, keeping it short also depends on the type of canister and how things get connected and disconnected. Some canisters you need the longest length rather than shortest in order to manipulate the canister for servicing.
ATF intheHouse good point which has to be keep in mind because once you cut that hose there’s no do over 😀
ATF inthehouse , does that apply to Sunsun? I.m lanning to cut muito outtake hose after this video.
Just make sure that you have enough length to be able to pull it out to service it. When cutting the tubes, place the canister where it will be when you are servicing the filter and cut to that length. Eazy peazy!
Thanks for the great informational video Ben! Always a pleasure to watch.
I would like to add this: Don't forget to keep your hoses clean from the inside!
I only have 12/16 diameter hoses, and boy does the buildup of algae and stuff restrict the flow! :)
Aqua Peet great point that is very easily overlooked or skipped
Very good to point that out!
Thanks guys! As a matter of fact, my clear hoses look pret-ty dark so it's time!
...yup! I now have a spraybar FOUNTAIN again so I have to dial back the canister output LOL
The plastic drain snakes or extra long bottle brush will work I used a tree branch and some old sponge type material once but hey they came clean and flow was once again restored
Finding the notches is very important , especially at night mainly due to the noise otherwise.
I normally refer to this as buenas noches
Great stuff.
I got the 704B and it is a little noisy, I will look into the impeller issue . Thanks
Pacer Let me know. Also be sure the canister is perfectly level
I set up my Eheim Experience 150 recommended by Pondguru. Ceramic rings in the bottom of the canister, coarse sponge and fine pad in the first tray (no space for coarse, medium, fine), biomedia in the second tray.
Most of the muck is catched in the ceramic rings. The sponge and the fine pad lasts very long and the biomedia is clean.
This setup works perfect
Perfect set up.
@@BenOchart this setup totally makes sense to me. Sometimes I really don't understand the default setups from the manufacturer.
Thanks for the great info. I work at a school and started taking care large tank after another teacher left. With the pandemic and lock downs the Sunsun canister has not been cleaned in 8 months.So I bravely opened it up and poured out the brown water. I rinsed it with tank water. I didn’t know where the biological things where living so I left the bottom filter alone. It looked like a course filter, then third down is plastic balls, then ceramic beads second tray, and I replaced the fine filter in top tray. I put it back together, and after priming it started up fine. Any suggestions would be helpful. I change over the water about a third every month. It’s a 100 gallons.
Good stuff Ben as always I definitely experienced a lot of what you said when I started using canisters a long time ago
Hey Ry, Maybe we can help the new guys out after our "hard knocks" right? Thanks for watching!
Thank you for valuable information. If prefilter can significantly lengthen the time between canister service why not the manufacturers sale their canister together with a simple sponge filter?
let's see examples of filters that could go longer and filters that are ready for scheduled maintenance. Thanks for your help!
Thanks!! I cut my long tubes with my garden sheers and it fixed my low power problem!
Awesome!
Great video! I learned some things from your video. Thanks!😊
New sub!🤗
WoWine&Wetsleeves thank you!😀😀🤣🙏🏻
I have used a few different canisters but mostly the Eheim 2217, I have gone 6 months between cleaning and it does get dirty but I never had a problem.
I did try a Sunsun but had to get it from All Pond Solutions and its rebranded to them, but the sneaky buggers sent me a repaired old unit, so sent that bugger back asap, now ordered a Oase Thermo one.
Thanks for the advice on head pressure. I think that's my error in terms of why I'm not getting strong output water flow.
Let me know if you see a big difference after shortening the hoses.
When you fill the filter with water from the siphon with the mother off, you will notice that the water level in the hose is at the water level in the tank. The motor and pump only lifts the water as far as the exit opening of the output hose. Excessive hose lengths and bends will create static friction which will reduce the water flow. Any bend in the hoses should be smooth with a large radius. The bends are more significant than the length. However it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for minimum and maximum height of the water level from the canister.
It certainly helps to rock the canister to release collected air. I find with all canisters I've used, I know when to do it as the impeller will start rattling.
Another thing with canisters, that will save on a great deal of awkward maintenance, is simply having a prefilter sponge on the intake. Especially if you have messy fish.
It would be handy if all canisters had the mechanical filtration at the top. Would make life a little easier!
However, my favorite budget canister at the moment is the Jabao 1200. Loads of room for media, quiet, great flow, easy to clean, and only £50 on ebay.
Three Tykes Jabaoa is getting real popular. A lot for the money
I was told it was more important for your intake hose to be straight down without loops which solved my filter's grumbling sounds problem as soon as I shortened the intake hose and got rid of the loop. My return hose still has a loop but it seems to me it would help the motor because it doesn't have to push water nearly directly up to the outlet.
Less on both hoses, with enough room so you can move the canister around when you need to, is best, IMO.
Hi Ben, this video was very well done. Thanks for the tips 👍.
Denny's Aquatics Hey Dennis, thanks for watching and please stay warm.
GREAT vídeo. Thanks so much. Do you show the Canister intake Sponge in any vídeo?
You can see them on my 60 gallon grow-out. Cory at the Aquarium Co-op sells them for all filters. If you go to his web page you'll see them. Tell him Ben Ochart sent you and you want the family price, LOL.
Great videos Ben!! Ive been following you for a while. Hey lately your voice has been at a very low level. I know your mics are good I just think you could boost your voice a bit when you edit. its almost inaudible on some videos lately even with headphones. Dramatically different than your intros. Just trying to help buddy! Keep the vids coming. Great info
Hey Ben just a heads up buddy, Craig has been following you 😳 🚶♂️.........🚶♂️
Hey Ben, have a quick question. I have a SunSun 303B with media and have been using it since a couple of months. Lately, air is getting trapped in the filter everyday for which I have to shake the filter to let the air out. Any idea why this could happen? I have checked the hoses and they look intact and leak free.
Look forward
Head pressure should be the same as height is unchanged but added surface tension due to hose that is too long would be the issue. Quick question though, what are your thoughts on sharing a canister filter between two aquariums with t-fittings? I know there's the sharing of water between tanks but beyond that, if my filter can handle the total gallons, what are your thoughts? Thank you for your video.
nice tank there and good tips :D "D
Hi ben I use the sun sun 704b also and love it... The thing is is that circular shaft that goes on top of the impeller that you take off first and put on lasthas broke on mine… And was wondering if you could give me a tip and where I could get a new one I tried looking online myself but I may have not looked in the right place… Keep up the videos in good work… Thanks
Thanks Ben. I have watched quite a few cannisters filter videos where the presenter is connecting hoses with no clamps!! The profession I was in for decades taught me many things, one of those things was always use hose clamps! Especially for liquids in your house. Once water in a large volume, gets into your house, it can be very intrusive and cause other problems. If you don't have clamps, they are inexpensive and can save you from big problems. Thanks again!