Canister Filter as Reactor

Grey Legion · 05/05/2016, 05:25 PM

Howdy Folks,

After years of FW fishkeeping I have a few canister filters, I was wondering could they be used as a media reactor for carbon and/or GFO etc..

billdogg · 05/05/2016, 05:38 PM

I used one for years (22 of them) for carbon and some extra rubble rock when I had my 60g cube. GFO works better if it tumbles slightly, so a regular reactor will serve you better for that.

OrQidz · 05/05/2016, 10:54 PM

They can be, although I think of them more as a place to put chemical filtration rather than an actual reactor per se. The only trouble you can get into is that they trap detritus and keeping them clean enough can be a chore. If they're the type that are easy to open and remove/rinse out media they can be okay. If they are a huge PIA and water spills everywhere and you hate dealing with them, it's very easy to procrastinate on cleaning them often enough (speaking from experience!).

Untamed Rose · 05/05/2016, 11:08 PM

they ...kinda do.

You will still Need LF(or dry turned live) and a skimmer.

Canister kinda replaces a wet dry sump. but lot of folks include it all.

Untamed Rose · 05/05/2016, 11:12 PM

Look Everyone did FW bf SW....it really isnt Harder its more a dedication interest thing. No excuses, want it learn it do it.. SW you get a rock and you spend days figuring out WTH that is that is attach...and OH how do I take care of it. VS fr doesnt have that at all.

And ya need to be a bit more chem aware then normal FW keeps.

05/05/2016, 05:25 PM	#1
Grey Legion Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 25	Canister Filter as Reactor Howdy Folks, After years of FW fishkeeping I have a few canister filters, I was wondering could they be used as a media reactor for carbon and/or GFO etc.. __________________ Just keep Swimming

05/05/2016, 05:38 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I used one for years (22 of them) for carbon and some extra rubble rock when I had my 60g cube. GFO works better if it tumbles slightly, so a regular reactor will serve you better for that. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/05/2016, 10:54 PM	#3
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	They can be, although I think of them more as a place to put chemical filtration rather than an actual reactor per se. The only trouble you can get into is that they trap detritus and keeping them clean enough can be a chore. If they're the type that are easy to open and remove/rinse out media they can be okay. If they are a huge PIA and water spills everywhere and you hate dealing with them, it's very easy to procrastinate on cleaning them often enough (speaking from experience!).

05/05/2016, 11:08 PM	#4
Untamed Rose Moved On Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 45	they ...kinda do. You will still Need LF(or dry turned live) and a skimmer. Canister kinda replaces a wet dry sump. but lot of folks include it all.

05/05/2016, 11:12 PM	#5
Untamed Rose Moved On Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 45	Look Everyone did FW bf SW....it really isnt Harder its more a dedication interest thing. No excuses, want it learn it do it.. SW you get a rock and you spend days figuring out WTH that is that is attach...and OH how do I take care of it. VS fr doesnt have that at all. And ya need to be a bit more chem aware then normal FW keeps.