Cannister Filter

[Erk]

I went and took the plunge into cannister filters last night, and I purchased the Rena filstar xP2. Hooked everything up last night, and recommendations on how to speed up the biological filter in this filter, so I can remove the old hang on the back bio wheel filter? The ceramic rings or those carbon stars? Also, how long do you guys recommend I leave them both hooked up for? I still have some nitrite problems, and the LFS wont give me any established media....

Thanks

[ILLUSN]

Hi Erk, try a double dose of cycle directly onto the filter material, that about all you can do to accelerate colonisation without using established media. I'd leave both filters on for atleast a month or even 2 just to make sure everything is right.

i personally wouldn't use carbon in anyfilter, all it does is remove all charged ioins and you fish will appreciate some trace elents in their water

[Erk]

Thanks ILLUSN, I have the bio chem stars in the filter right now, and I order the cermic rings, and they should arrive on monday. I will put them in the filter then, and put some cycle directly on the media in the filter then. I was planning on leaving both filters hooked up for a lil while. Everything looks really good so far! Thanks a lot for your help!