So my cycle seems to have stalled at high nitrates. Help please? :D

[Enigma]

I'm going to play devil's advocate . . . And I'm going to say that there is a good reason for the canister filter.

Seeding, or keeping it running, on the main display system could be extremely beneficial. In doing this a QT or HT could be set up very quickly, by simply moving the canister over to the QT/HT system. Of course, I would only run Matrix (or similar bio filtration media). The same could be said, of course, for a bio-wheel filter.

That said, it is obvious that the canister filter is not required in the capacity it is being used.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Enigma

The same could be said, of course, for a bio-wheel filter.

Do they still make these? Yes, if you have one of these, sell it too. Any long term media that breeds aerobic bacteria will contribute to NO3 accumulation. Unless the media is cleaned weekly in fresh water, I don't think the benefits are worth the downside of NO3 buildup.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Do they still make these? Yes, if you have one of these, sell it too. Any long term media that breeds aerobic bacteria will contribute to NO3 accumulation. Unless the media is cleaned weekly in fresh water, I don't think the benefits are worth the downside of NO3 buildup.

You're so cheeky!

I keep a bio wheel seeded in my sump at all times. I give it a rinse and shake in fresh saltwater every now and then.

I just don't want Xyres to think her filter is garbage. There is a job for it . . . Just not the one it's presently doing.

[Coralgurl]

I use a fluval 305 canister filter on my 55 withy the same media, plus rowaphos with no issues. In fact this tank is spotless, no pest algae. I also do not have a skimmer on this tank. I clean the canister (rinse all media, clean foam pads, scrum the container) fully every 2 weeks and change the media monthly. I think they can be used successfully if maintained properly. For the first maybe 6 months, It maybe got cleaned every couple of months and ya, had issues, once I went to every 2 weeks, not a problem. I absolutely can not run a sump on this tank, and don't really care too. I also find this tank easier to maintain than my other tank with a sump. The amount of equipment in my sump to do the same thing the canister does, fine tuning, etc and still have issues in the tank kinda boggles my mind when everyone says canisters are bad. I completely disagree.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Unless the media is cleaned weekly in fresh water, I don't think the benefits are worth the downside of NO3 buildup.

Freshwater doesn't kill saltwater nitrifying bacteria. Not significantly anyway. Frank Hoff figured this out unintentionally.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

Freshwater doesn't kill saltwater nitrifying bacteria. Not significantly anyway. Frank Hoff figured this out unintentionally.

Go figure! So then I'd completely remove it.