Canister questions??

[TheNotoriousDub_]

Hi all!

My name is Mark and this is my 105l.

I'm aware that I have a tannin problem, I think, as once the wood was added it had that haze an hour later...

I have an aquamanta efx 200 canister and I'm unsure which way it flows... I'm assuming it's bottom to top as the recommended media setup is as follows, from top to bottom, Tray 1 Wool, Phosphate Pad, Sponge (Black 35ppi) Tray 2 Ceramic Media, Tray 3 Activated Carbon Bag, Sponge (Blue 15ppi)

I've read I do not actually need the active carbon or the Phosphate Pad?

Does anyone have any experience with these canister filters and if that's the correct setup for flow?? I'm just concerned I'm not getting the best flow into the tank from the filter only using the spray bar.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[Gingerlove05]

Hello Mark and welcome to
Im not sure about the setup of the canister filter, I would’ve thought someone here will be able to help
Tannins aren’t a problem, they can cause the ph to drop a little as they’re acidic, but otherwise they can have antiseptic properties

[TheNotoriousDub_]

Hello Mark and welcome to
Im not sure about the setup of the canister filter, I would’ve thought someone here will be able to help
Tannins aren’t a problem, they can cause the ph to drop a little as they’re acidic, but otherwise they can have antiseptic properties

Thank you
I do have seachem purigen about....could that harm my levels or the fish? I've done a couple of water changes this week and doing my first strip test tomorrow.
I'm also doing this tank as a fish in cycle, I know it can be frowned upon and I wish I went fishless now.

[fr499y]

Get a liquid test kit as strips are awful. No idea why shops still sell them for anything other than ph.

Seachem prime water conditioner would be a good shout as it detoxifies ammonia into ammonium, whilst still allowing the filters to build up beneficial bacteria.

As you’re fish in cycling, I take it you are doing daily water changes at the moment? Maybe add some api quick start and keep an eye on the levels

[TheNotoriousDub_]

Get a liquid test kit as strips are awful. No idea why shops still sell them for anything other than ph.

Seachem prime water conditioner would be a good shout as it detoxifies ammonia into ammonium, whilst still allowing the filters to build up beneficial bacteria.

As you’re fish in cycling, I take it you are doing daily water changes at the moment? Maybe add some api quick start and keep an eye on the levels

Thanks for the reply!
So scrap the strips and purigen for liquid test and prime conditioner? Will this conditioner help clear tannins slightly?
Yes I've added the correct dosage of api quick start and have done two water changes so far, one Sunday and one Monday.

[fr499y]

Purigen is for removing impurities/tannins etc but prime is a water conditioner that has the added bonus of converting ammonia into ammonium.

[Martinspuddle]

Greetings & welcome to

This might be helpful and yes from bottom to top is right, most canister filters work that way.


click to enlarge

[TheNotoriousDub_]

Purigen is for removing impurities/tannins etc but prime is a water conditioner that has the added bonus of converting ammonia into ammonium.

Brilliant! I've got the purigen and prime now so I'll give the purigen a go first, but I do kind of like the look the tank has with the tannins

[TheNotoriousDub_]

Greetings & welcome to

This might be helpful and yes from bottom to top is right, most canister filters work that way.


click to enlarge

Nice one! That is very helpful. So is it true I don't actually need the active carbon bag or the Phosphate Pad unless they're in there to remove something for a reason? What would the best media setup be from bottom to top? 15ppi bottom tray, 35ppi middle and ceramic at top? I've read that some people just keep 15ppi in one tray and ceramic at the top??

[plankton]

Welcome to the forum.
Oooh! I haven't done this for ages!......
Tannins are good, tannins are good, tannins are good.....