New Canister Filter

[smidey]

Hi all, I have just added a Aqua One CF1000 canister filter to my setup & still using my factory hood unit as well. The canister filter has been running for 3 days & i am stoked with the clarity difference of the water. The only instructions that came with it were the warranty & setup instructions. It has two baskets, top one with filter wool & a gauze pad & the second with gauze pad & ceramic bio rings. I assume that the only filter pad I change is the filter wool pad & just rinse the gauze pads. If this is correct how often should I change the wool 4-6 weeks? Also what do the hollow plastic balls do that are in the very bottom?

Smidey

[meesheelly]

I have one too. The balls are "bio-balls" for biological filtration. Ive had mine for over a month now and havent changed it yet. I guess it may be tiem soon.

[Tanksman]

The filter wool can get clogged quickly reducing the efiiciency. It needs changing or at least rinsing probly fortnightly. I run my canisters without it and I don't open them for 3 months or more and then it is mainly as the hoses need cleaning as they get clogged with algae / slime. This can be done by holding the hose to the hot tap for a bit or using a pullthrough. The plastic bio - ball type things are for beneficial bacteria to colonise (ie live on) which is the biological filtration. The balls should really be in one of the baskets otherwise they may clang around and or not work as efficiently. The ceramic rings should also be in a basket.

[me love fishy]

I use an Eheim 2217 cannister filter and I don't use wool either Tanksman. I only use ceramic noodles and little stones(can't remember what they are called) and I only clean it out about once every 6 weeks or so. I couldn't be bothered trying to clean it out every fortnight, its alright for small internal filters but more difficult with larger externals.