Canister Filter Maintenance Schedule?

[Andrewz00]

Hey All... just a quick question... ive got an Eheim 2217 classic... how often should i be "cleaning" the canister out?

yes.. old tank water... just a rinse... just dont know how offten

 

[mfdrookie516]

Every other week is what I do. I have two, so I alternate cleaning one each week. I've found that waiting longer only causes nitrates to rise big time

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Depends on bio-load. If your 'My Tanks' is up to date, yeah 2 weeks, maybe 3. I do 50% PWC weekly, then every 3 weeks I clean the canister, replace the 'final polish' pad, rinse the coarse foam, and every 9 weeks I replace the coarse foam. The I use Purigen and recharge about every 6 months or whenever it turns really dark (I have a planted tank too).

 

[Fishguy2727]

ANY filter should be cleaned at least once a month. A filter just traps debris for you, if you don't take it out of the system it will breakdown and cause nitrate problems, what many call a nitrate factory.

 

[Mark Hewitt]

Yep every month seems reasonable. I just got a canister so will have to remember something like first water change of the month is filter cleaning time!

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yep every month seems reasonable. I just got a canister so will have to remember something like first water change of the month is filter cleaning time!

What you should really remember is to monitor your nitrates. If I went a whole month without cleaning my filters on my 150g (which I have done in the past), my nitrates would be super high like 160+ppm (which they have been in the past).

 

[Andrewz00]

ahh ok good to know....ive been going about 3 weeks-ish right now, doing weekly 40-50% PWC and every 3rd week (off cycle from filter cleaning) i do a partial gravel vac-ing ... i really should be keeping better notes on my water parameters and judge that way.

thanks all.

ps. yes floyd, "my tanks" is updated...

 

[Mark Hewitt]

What you should really remember is to monitor your nitrates. If I went a whole month without cleaning my filters on my 150g (which I have done in the past), my nitrates would be super high like 160+ppm (which they have been in the past).

Even with weekly PWCs?

 

[Fishguy2727]

With ANY water change schedule and ANY stocking you need to check nitrate to ensure your water quality is high enough. That is the best measurement of water quality.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Even with weekly PWCs?

yep, 50% weekly