If you’re looking to simplify aquarium maintenance and provide a cleaner, healthier environment for your fish to live, investing in a canister filter is a good idea. Although standard filters that hang on the back of an aquarium are fairly effective, they don’t provide the best flow control and are often subpar when it comes to water filtration.
While they are generally easier to install than a canister filter, they lack their adjustable flow features and are limited when it comes to the kind of filter media you can use with them. If you want a highly effective aquarium filter that will allow your fish and plants to thrive, a canister filter is a must. Below, we outline the main things to bear in mind when setting up a canister filter for the first time.
Follow the Instructions
Many of us make the mistake of not reading the user manuals that come with new products. Don’t make this mistake when you purchase a canister filter. Most canister filters will include dozens of individual working parts, with many elements needing to be assembled at home before you can start using your new filtration system. Take some time to read through the manual that comes with your canister. These manuals will give you a clear oversight of all the items that should be included with your canister filter, how they fit together and how your filtration system will work.
You should also take the time to check through the list of parts that should be supplied with your filter canister. It is unlikely that a pre-packaged filter will be missing components, but it’s not unheard of. Should you notice any parts are missing, make a note of the absent element and return your product to the retailer you purchased it from. If you purchased your filter online and don’t have the luxury of waiting for a replacement part to be mailed out to you, consider heading into a nearby pet store or aquarium specialist to source the part you need.
Putting the Canister Filter Together
If you have all the parts to hand, you can now start putting your canister filter together. First, you need to open up the main canister itself and inspect the filter trays or baskets within. These filter baskets should be nested properly together. If they aren’t, the outside lid will not be able to seal in place correctly. Most canister filters will already include all the filter media you will need, but you may need to purchase this separately.
Most canister filters incorporate a range of filter media including chemical and biological media, sponge filters, as well as activated carbon. Although this should be more than sufficient for your filtration requirements, you may wish to incorporate additional media to improve filtration performance.
Installing a Canister Filter
Once you have assembled your canister filter and ensured all filter media is in place, you can place the system beneath your aquarium. Take some time to pick a perfect spot for it. You don’t want the placement of the filter to spoil your view of your aquarium, but you also want it to be accessible enough that you can carry out easy maintenance.
It should also be within easy reach of a mains power outlet. Once you’ve picked a good spot for your filter, you can now connect the intake and outlet hoses. Again, you need to ensure you have sufficient space for filter removal and maintenance. You also need to ensure that your hoses are not knotted or ridden with kinks.
Once hoses have been connected, you can now prime your canister filter. This isn’t simply a case of turning the system on. Instead, you will need to ensure your canister filter is filled with water before it is plugged in and switched on. Once the tank of your canister filter is filled with water, you can plug it into the wall and turn it on.
