New to Canister Filters

[Apollo&Artemis]

I just picked up a 55 gal tank to move my GSP into, and the guy I bought it from threw in a bunch of extra stuff, including a Marineland H.O.T. Magnum 250H canister filter. I know absolutely nada about these things, so I would really appreciate it if someone could walk me through this in newbie terms. My primary questions are:

Is the canister a good way to go for one GSP in a 55 gal? I'm currently using an AquaClear.
How do I set it up and maintain it?
What is the best media to use?
Is there any way to quickly cycle the tank with my current filter?

Thanks!

[Pufferpunk]

I would continue to use the AC as a mechanical filter & the Magnum as biological. I'm sure you can search for the owner's manual online, if it didn't come with one.

What substrate do you have in your tank now?

[xrayjeeper83]

Is the canister a good way to go for one GSP in a 55 gal? I'm currently using an AquaClear.
Keep both
How do I set it up and maintain it?
FIll it with bioballs, ceramic pieces, and some type of sponge, if you look around online you can find the exact stuff for the filter. Maintain just as you would any other filter, cleaning it out to make sure its flow doesnt slow down
What is the best media to use?
See above
Is there any way to quickly cycle the tank with my current filter?
If you move EVERYTHING, substrate, plants, filter, etc over it will help speed up the cycle

[Apollo&Artemis]

Thank you both. I have sand in the tank now. Planning to switch to crushed coral at some point.

What should I use in the AC?

[xrayjeeper83]

I have a sponge and ceramic in mine and my gf's

[Apollo&Artemis]

Great thanks. Now what is the process for changing the tanks over?

Also are the bio-wheels not recommended for puffers?

[Dadof4]

I'm not a fan of bio-wheels in any tank with marine salt in it, like a GSP tank. They create too much salt spray, that is one of the things that steered me away from the HOT Magnum. Good FW filter though!

[Pufferpunk]

Sponge on the bottom (mechanical), 1" cotton floss ("polishes" the water crystal clear) & Biomax on top (biological).

[RTR]

PP - do you really use cotton floss? How often do you discard it? Cotton rots pretty quickly IME.

[Pufferpunk]

Heh, it may not actually be cotton, probably something synthetic, used for pillow/quilt stuffing.

[RTR]

Cotton packs as pillow stuffing, so it is likely synthetic. I use cotton thread for Java Moss, but it dos not work for Java fern as well - it rots too fast. Wet cotton batting packs and lumps easily. I'd bet on it being synthetic.

[Apollo&Artemis]

Thank you all for your patience with my novice questions Now I need to take it a step further. Our original plan had been to move our GSP from his 30 gal to the 55 and turn the 30 into a FW community tank. Well I found an unbelievable deal on Craigslist that I just couldn't pass up: 45 gal tank, wood stand, undergravel filter system, heaters, tops & lights, and a Magnum 350 canister filter, all in nearly new condition for $50. So I now have the HOT Magnum and the Magnum 350, as well as the AquaClear and two bio-wheel filters (I've never used these ones, they came with the 55 gal.) What should I use for each tank and with what media setup? Thanks!

[geronimo69]

Cotton packs as pillow stuffing, so it is likely synthetic. I use cotton thread for Java Moss, but it dos not work for Java fern as well - it rots too fast. Wet cotton batting packs and lumps easily. I'd bet on it being synthetic.

I use some kind of "floss" in my Fluval 405. I usually change it every WC (once a week), as it gets very dirty, very quickly. I buy it from my local LFS in a big bag for about $5. One bag lasts me about a year.

[bertie 83]

Use the two filters on the 55 and use the filter that came with the 45 on the 45 is your best bet

[sevenyearnight]

Go to the store and buy an extra micron filter, or even 2. The micron filter clogs up fairly regularly, and needs to be bleached (instructions come with the filter), you'll need a filter to swap out with during that process. Keep the tubes as straight as possible, if pulled at too much of an ange, it puts stress on the clamps on the lid and over time it can leak. Cut them to fit if they are too long and create much bending.

If you don't wish to use it as a water polisher, then order the media basket online for the Magnum 350.