Canister question

[MoLaw]

On my new 5 gallon I have a MarineLand C-220 canister filter along with a SuperSkimmer. I was using the canister due to the new live rock that was curing in the tank (new fishless tank of course) and creating quite a mess.I have finally tested negative for Amonia and nitrates and the water and the rock are pretty clean and clear.

My question is can I take the canister off now without affecting any of my parameters.
I would also like to make that I am correct by saying since I am negative for Amonia and Nitrates that means the rock are considered cured.

Thanks as always for the helpfull info.

 

[yote]

If you've had the canister running the entire time and didnt change the cartridges every week,then you will probably throw the tank into another mini-cycle.
The media in the filter has probably became part of your biological filtration.

 

[Bifferwine]

I would say that it's a good idea to remove the canister filter at this point. It is hard to keep them clean enough to leave them on a tank long term. Yote is right that it MAY start a mini-cycle, but if it does, it's better to have it happen now instead of later on when you have fish in the tank. Even if it does start a mini-cycle, I think it'd be over pretty quickly.

 

[MoLaw]

I have washed the media at least every week sometime more for the sole purpose of trying to keep the bio-media void of bacteria. I was trying to only use it for mechanical filtration.

I will take it off tonight and watch for a possible mini-cycle before adding any fish and thanks again.

 

[Bifferwine]

If you've kept it clean then I really doubt that removing it will cause a cycle.

 

[Doc]

I have heard that canister filters are best used to occasionally clean up the tank and not for long term use. I would dump it and try something else. running carbon in the filter socks seems to work great for me.

-Dr Marco :sfish:

 

[fishbait]

canister filters are ok as long as they are cleaned weekly or bi-weekly depending on how heavily the tank is stocked. I run one on my tank part time in cunjuction with a sump and skimmer, but never over two weeks at a time. I just use it mostly as a place to run carbon.

 

[Alexander]

I have had one on my 80g for months. nitrates are at 0 always. I have minimal bioload, but always clean the filter weekly

 

[Doc]

that does seem to be the trick. not to use it for more than a week at a time

-Dr Marco :sfish:

 

[MoLaw]

Thanks a lot guys (and Biff) I really appreciate the advice and will definitely heed it.