Canister Filters

Filtering Your Aquarium Water

What Is It?

Canister filters are filters that remove the water from a tank through an intake tube, sieve, or valve, run it through filter media in a pressurized canister, and then pump the water back into the tank via spill way or spray bar.

How Does It Work?

Canister filters draw water up a lift tube and into a filter chamber or canister where the water is pushed through a series of filter media (bottom-to-top, top-to-bottom, or back-to-front, depending on filter model) which provides chemical, biological, and/or mechanical filtration (depending on the media used). After the water has gone through the filter media, it is pumped back into the tank. Canister filters always use water pumps to move water. Some models have integral pumps, while other models require a separate pump.

What Maintenance Does It Require?

Depending on the brand and model of the filter, and the type of media used, the maintenance requirements of a canister filter will vary. Generally, canister filters allow you to use a variety of filter media. Many have baskets, cartridges, media bags, or isolated chambers that you can put your favorite media into to provide a variety of filtration. Some media needs to be rinsed out regularly, while other media needs to be replaced. Check the manufacturers recommendations for the type(s) of media you are using.

In addition to the maintenance required for the filter media, you will also have to periodically clean the tubes and the pump on your canister filter. This can be done easily with aquarium tube cleaning kits sold at most pet stores.

What Should I Be Aware Of?

Canister filters are very efficient filters if used and maintained correctly. A good canister filter gives you the advantage of selecting the type of filtration appropriate for your tank, rather than being stuck with the manufacturers pre-made media cartridges. A canister filter usually has lower maintenance requirements than a comparable power filter, because the water is forced through the media, rather than being allowed to flow over or around. Also, most canister filters return water to the tank through a spray bar, reducing evaporation and current.

Remember, with a canister filter, as with any other filter, you need to replace any carbon in the filter frequently, as carbon that has become saturated with waste can begin to release toxins.

Canister filters are especially good for medium to large tanks, as they can filter a large volume of water efficiently.

Canister filters can be configured to provide biological, chemical, and/or mechanical filtration depending on the filter brand and the needs of the aquariist. Remember to remove any carbon from the tank or filter before you medicate (if the carbon is working, it should remove the medication from the tank in under an hour, in which case your fish won't get treated).

My snail mail address is: Keith Seyffarth, 217 W. Koch, #308, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Thank you for your support.
Page most recently modified: September 25 2006 20:38:19.