trickle vs canister

[Marekzero]

Hey guys, I'm slowly piecing together some info for future reference and was wondering what peoples thoughts are on these two different filtration methods.

I have heard that with the trickle filter it is pretty low maintenance with only the top pad such as wool which lies above the bio-balls needing to be changed from time to time, although I feel as though there is so much more that can be done with these although I'm not sure at the moment.

With the canister filters there seems to be much more options with the separate compartments that are available to be filled with all sorts of different media.

Overall I don't know much about each but it looks like most people on here use canisters apart from the marine keepers among us, which is a whole other story.

I know that depending on size there would be a difference in cleaning and so but what would be the effective cleaning levels of each if placed on level playing fields?

Thanks for any help and info guys :)

[Woodsy]

I can tell you first-hand, that maintaining a trickle as opposed to canisters is infinitely easier. They cope with higher bio-loads too, which is why I'm such a big fan of them. They do have limited applications though. For instance, they are counterproductive if you want a planted tank. In my opinion, there are far more bonuses to them over canisters, in general.

[wombat1100]

they are counterproductive if you want a planted tank.


Hey Woodsy would you care to elaborate please?
Dazz

[Marekzero]

Dazz, what i think Woodsy meant by that was that with trickle filters there is a lot of aeration of the water meaning that all of the CO2 releases from the water? leaving none for the plants.

[Woodsy]

That's basically it dude. The more you disturb the water column, the more dissolved CO2 escapes, like when you shake a bottle of Coke. That's not to say that I haven't seen some awesome planted tanks that use trickle systems, it's just that the CO2 you're pumping in there will partially dissipate as it runs over the filter, so you're efficiency drops.

[joz]

That's basically it dude. The more you disturb the water column, the more dissolved CO2 escapes, like when you shake a bottle of Coke. That's not to say that I haven't seen some awesome planted tanks that use trickle systems, it's just that the CO2 you're pumping in there will partially dissipate as it runs over the filter, so you're efficiency drops.


Excatlymy thoughts.

I had my trickle connected way back on my discus setup and worked a treat housing about 30 full grown fish in perfect health.
But unfortunaely the CO2 was hard to maintain,but not impossible.
I still have my trickle under my tank and it may once again be connected,but we'll see.
Especially since my fish have got more young'ns,about 15-20 at last count ,whoo hoo!:)

But I can see the problems faced with a planted setup which I'll have to weigh up when the time comes.
Btw I have no co2 running atm..

[wombat1100]

So is that to say that if you have no Co2 injection in a planted tank with a trickle filter it would be ok?

[Woodsy]

It works, but it is nowhere near as efficient compared to if you were running a canister or an internal. From what I have observed, you basically double your CO2 input for the same effect in a trickle.

[joz]

So is that to say that if you have no Co2 injection in a planted tank with a trickle filter it would be ok?


Unfortunately the trickle would dissapate the CO2 probably as fast as it was dissolved into the water.

[Mick John]

I'm experiencing this with my tank. Although I'm just using the trial and error method to see which will grow etc.. Quite a few will but hence more CO2 is needed. But in my case I believe there is something else going on in the water chemistry which is acting as a Buffer against any acids. And it's not GH or KH. Weird. My other Tank that's now up and running that houses my Hypancistrus's has the same tap water and has a much lower PH reading than the other Tank with no problems and without CO2. Thank God! I thought it was the effect of the Trickle Filter but as I have recently learnt Oxygen doesn't have this kind of significant effect on the PH. http://www.thefishtank.com.au/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

[GoGuppy]

I can tell you first-hand, that maintaining a trickle as opposed to canisters is infinitely easier.

I know different people have different opinions regarding cannister filter set-ups and cleaning regimes, but I have the cannister set up for course mechanical filtering with some biological cleaning capability, that is only course ceramic rings/noodles and I can say I have a sparkling clean tank with a filter that I only clean every six to 12 months. It helps if the tank water chemistry has settled down though.:).

The tank is heavily planted and I inject CO2 as well. The plants take up most of the nitrates and phosphates as fertiliser, but I still need to dose some on a regular basis.

Cheers

[Woodsy]

Plants can act as biological filters themselves though, as they have the ability to remove nitrogenous waste. A fully planted tank with just a powerhead for circulation can be more efficient than either a canister or a trickle, as they also have the ability to remove heavy metals.

[dragonhunter]

canister is neat and tidy, tricky is abit risky. moiture under the cabinet and easy to breed moskito.;)

[joz]

Hi Dragon hunter, welcome to the Fish Tank.

Its great to see you posting and so enthusiastic,but some of the threads are very old:)

But keep it up any way.:)

[accurist85]

Trickle filters good for marine and reef... I used in many set ups including freshwater tank.... Canister filter is recommanded for Planted tank... Because canister filter can actually draw out the nutrient in the water for plants to grow on.

I wouldn't use canister filter for marine set up.