advice on canister filter

due to recent problems with my filters, I'm switching to a canister filter for my 46 gal. ive narrowed it down to the fluval 306 and the aquatop cf400. I have a couple questions. first do I need to add airstones? I currently don't have any but with my HOB I'm filterin at 10x. with the either one of those should I add then? I could just kinda point the nozzle towards the top of the water to add air correct? any advice on how to set up the hoses and stuff since this is my first experience with a canister? should I set up the media differently? for the first month ill prolly run stock then after that should I take out the carbon and use sponge media? ive had issues with ammonia but I'm doin more water changes and feeding a lil less to solve it. any other advice is welcome!

 

Airstones aren't always necessary. Besides making the tank aesthetically pleasing (and being fun if your fish like to swim through them), they aerate the water to a certain extent, similar to if you lower the water level and the water coming out the HOB filter splashes onto the surface. They're definitely important if the temperature is high (say, treating for ich) because higher-temperature water holds less oxygen.

I can't speak for the Fluval filter, but I have the Aquatop one. I don't have any carbon in mine. Move ALL of your old filter media into the canister (trust me, there's plenty of space..I put everything it came with, plus all my old stuff, plus some ceramic rings, and there's room to spare!) so that you don't have to deal with a mini-cycle. Some members use carbon all the time, but many don't, except for removing medications or if the water looks discolored.

There are instructions that come with the filter describing how to set it up.

Since you're running 10X filtration currently, I would suggest waiting until your ammonia problems are solved before switching filters. It isn't inadequate filtration (though canisters are better than HOBs, but 10X filtration is definitely plenty), so you should root out the cause of the problem (detritus in the substrate, overfeeding, overstocking, etc). Even if you move your old media over, there is still bacteria in the filter housing itself that you would lose. Another option, however, would be to run both filters concurrently: set up the canister with the stock media, but leave the HOB running. However this would be a TON of filtration and the fish would probably get blown around the tank.

 

I have the CF 400 and I have no issues with it.

Depending on how you position the spray wand I don't think you would need an airstone.

I would transfer your filter media from your HOB and put it all in the canister filter, add some ceramic rings and whatever you want.

 

ill prolly order the fluval here shortly. if I need media I can get some locally as the aquatop seems like ill have to cut media and stuff and I haven't ever seen any local. although both seem like quality units

 

I like my fluval no problems for 2 years knock on wood. On my fluval 205 I had problems when I went to prime it. So I just inhaled air through the outake.

As for the ammonia I would run both filters for about a month. If your fish are getting tossed around I would remove the Hob and put in some tetra safe start but having to much filtration is unlikely. If your fish aren't getting bounced around I woukd leave both filters in the more filtration the better

 

regarding the media, what kind of sponge is the like prefilter one in the fluval? its really long fits in the red holder? I was wondering what size that is as I can't find it.

 

Hmm if your looking for the sponge they come with the filter. I always buy fluval aponges for my fluval filters

 

Yeah I was wondering what the sponge is labled. The only sponge I can find for the 306 is the biofoam and I was wondering what the big sponge was. I guess the the 305 one will fit?

 

also what size carbon bags and such? they don't have a lot of media listed for the 306 so help is much appreciated.

 

also what size carbon bags and such? they don't have a lot of media listed for the 306 so help is much appreciated.

I don't know if fluval has premade carbon bags and if they do it will be more expensive.
The 306 has little traya for bio rings so :they don't need bags. As for carbo. I usually buy a large jar and make my own bags of it.

If you order offline you can probally find everything you need for fluval. I would assume 305 pads would fit the 306 but I could be wrong. I recently bought pads and when I get home I will check

 

Canister filters are pretty versital, my aquatops are filled with fluval biomax media.

 

thanks guys I just ordered the 306 and got to looking for media and couldnt find much really...... the only thing is the bio foam....I'm just assuming the 305 media will fit.

 

I just got my 306 in the mail yesterday. It came loaded with all the media you need. I haven't looked myself to see what's available should I need more though. Right now the filter is working real well! It's real quiet too.

 

My only issue with my fluval 106 is the air bubbles it keeps passing. I need to work the bubbles out more but I'm planning on opening it here soon to remove the carbon and put more bio max in. I can't wait to get it on my 15 gallon long tank other than the occasional glarg of air.

 

I have 2 406's running on my tank and they're excellent. I love the shut off valve and it's extremely quiet. It does come with all the media you need. Since the 6 series is new, there isn't a lot available specifically for the 6 series. You should be able to by the 5 series media or cut/bag your own.

 

Ill try the 5 series to see if it fits. I emailed hagen but no repsonse yet