new to hobby filter conversion?

[o.c.d.]

Hi Trigger Happy I got your message. So let me straighten this out The filter works as the pump from the main to the fuge,then gravity fed back to the main with all little critters intact this helps provide food for the main tank.As for what I put in the canister that varies.Still looking for the best media, I did have de nitrate from seachem. you can run it empty.As for cleaning I crack the canister about every 2 or 3 months. If my nitrate starts to raise that is the first thing I clean. and I also clean my skimmer twice a week min. I also do 20% waterchange once a week. My carbon is ran through a reactor same with phosban reactor as well. I'm not saying this is the best method, just work for me.