Canister filters help keep your tank clean and make you have to put in a lot less work than you would without them. Because of this, almost anyone in the hobby who manages a tank will recommend that you get a filter for yourself. The only problem is the setup process.
In this article, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know about setting up your new canister filter. We will go over the parts you need, and the proper process for installation. By following this guide you will be on your way to cleaner waters in no time.
Table of Contents
Getting All The Parts Together
Like most things, a canister filter isn’t a magical machine that will just run on its own. There are pipes, hoses, and plugins you will need to make sure everything runs properly. Most of the time though, these should come with the filter if you bought it new, if not then you may have to look into getting some parts.
First things first, check all the parts your canister came with and make sure there is no damage. Always check this before putting it in the tank to avoid extra hassle. This is especially important if your canister came with media that could be damaged.
Next, you will want to figure out just where would be the best spot for your filter. It’s best to install them between 4 ½ to 8 inches beneath the waters surface. Each filter can differ a bit so be sure to check the instructions to see where your brand will work best.
Once you have figured out just where to place everything measure out your parts to make sure everything will reach. There’s nothing worse than having to move an already setup filter because you can’t power it properly, or even worse the hoses won’t reach.
You may want to have some clasps and scissors on hand for this project. You will probably need to cut the hoses when you got to put them in your tank. You will also want to make sure you properly clean everything before inserting it into the water to keep bacteria out.
Don’t Forget the Filter Media
If your filter didn’t come with any media, then your going to need to pick some up. Once you have it we can begin to insert it into the filter and get the canister ready for use. When you look inside you filter you will notice that there are several different trays to put the media into.
All you need to do to begin this step is to remove the top of the filter. Each canister filter generally has 3 to 4 slots to put media into. Once you determine how many slots you have you can insert the media in the order written below.
The first tray should always go to your mechanical media so that it can catch the harsher debris. This will also ensure that the filter won’t get clogged as easily. Next, you will want to add in your biological media. There are a few different types of biological media to choose from so feel free to use whichever one suits you best.
Lastly, if there is a third spot left this is where you will add in the chemical media. Many people will mix up different types of chemical media to add to this part. For a great beginners choice though you can go for activated carbon that is cheap and easy to find in aquarium sections.
Installing the media in any other order can decrease the effectiveness of the filter. This order helps the media work in harmony with each other to give you the best results for a well-filtered environment. It’s also advised to never skip out on media for your filter.
Setting It Up
Next, we will begin to work with the intake. This is the part of the canister filter that will suck in the water for processing. For this part, you are going to want to get a connector that fastens to your tank. The connector will help you easily place and keep the hoses in place.
Once you have the connector on you will need to attach the hose to your filter. To do this find the intake valve on the filter and attach the hose. Make sure you fix the clasp to make sure nothing comes loose once you turn the filter on.
After this, you will want to cut your hose if it’s too long, never wrap or tie your hose to try and make it shorter. This hose should be attached to an intake tube. Try to keep the intake tube at least 3 inches from the bottom of your fish tank as a general rule.
Now we will move on to the output. For this step, we will attach another hose to the output valve on the filter and run it back into the tank. You will want the output nozzle to be at least an inch below the surface of the water in the tank. After this double check to make sure everything is secured.
Once you have double checked everything is secured and in the proper position with the valves on, it’s time to turn the filter on. At this point, you just need to make sure you have enough water in the filter to get it started. Make sure to monitor the filter for a bit after turning it own to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Now You Have Cleaner Aquarium Waters
Setting up a filter isn’t too hard, all you need to do is make sure everything is set in the proper place and well attached. When inserting the media make sure that you have done so in the right order. By following these simple steps your aquarium will be on it’s way to cleaner waters.
