Filter on timer
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If you have 2 filters and think that you only really need one of them, move the other one to another tank or make it a spare for when the main filter dies. If you need both filters, leave them both running all the time except when you drain so much water for a water change that they won't run. If your filters are noisy, like a biowheel generally is, get a quieter filter or a single filter that can take care of the tank by itself.
I've thought about doing this to lengthen the life of the motor in a canister filter. The maximum time I would shut it off is no more than 30 minutes so that the bacterial environment in the filter doesn't start to change. This is more critical in the winter b/c of temperature changes if your canister doesn't have a heater. You also have to consider how your particular filter will react to being shut down and starting back up again. Some filter will make alot of noise for several minutes which can be annoying; some may not start up consistently, and that will also affect the bacteria. If you really want to turn off the filter on a timer anyway, I would suggest doing 2 periods of 30 min. each, spaced at least 3 hours apart; and during the day only. Make sure you monitor the filter to see how the motor reacts w/the new routine. With that in mind, decide for yourself if it's worth it to shut the filter down and lengthen its life a little, or keep it on and live with the noise. Noise wise, if it's a vibration issue, you could get a 1/2-3/4" piece of memory foam and sit the filter on top of it to dampen the vibration. If it's an impeller noise issue (inside the canister), try getting air out of the canister b/c most of the time it's that or try replacing the impeller if it's old.
Is the canister filter new? If it's new and the noise is real bad, take it back and get a new filter. If it's used, try cleaning or replacing the impeller. You may also want to try wraping it in deep pile shag carpet, double thick pads where the filter meets the floor, this is good sound dampening material. Or just give it some time, you'll get used to it.
thanks for all the advices. I think i'll just leave both on and save myself the trouble of worrying about build up toxic stuff.
So now it's time to start carving and gluing sponges to make them more quiet. This's gonna be fun.
I hope i won't become a pain whenever I have clean them though
So now it's time to start carving and gluing sponges to make them more quiet. This's gonna be fun.
I hope i won't become a pain whenever I have clean them though
BettaFishMommy
finkids make me happy :-)
here's a suggestion:
make some sort of foam box that the canister would lift out of, and that would mean you could incorporate your 'mat' of foam under the canister into the box. for the lid of the box, i would make it so it slides over the other part of the foam box snugly, with holes for the hoses to come out. when it's time to do filter maintenance, just slide the lid up the hoses and use a hair clip or some such thing to hold the lid up on the hoses, use your quick disconnect (providing this canister has one) and pull the canister out of your foam box.
might work?
make some sort of foam box that the canister would lift out of, and that would mean you could incorporate your 'mat' of foam under the canister into the box. for the lid of the box, i would make it so it slides over the other part of the foam box snugly, with holes for the hoses to come out. when it's time to do filter maintenance, just slide the lid up the hoses and use a hair clip or some such thing to hold the lid up on the hoses, use your quick disconnect (providing this canister has one) and pull the canister out of your foam box.
might work?
