Understand that many people here use a external cannister filter as means of water filtration for their tanks. Hoping to find out how everyone here maintain their external cannister filter?

Basic information would be something like:
1)Cannister filter model/type/brand etc...
2)size of tank
3)Number of layers/type of media used
4)Common signs a cleanup is required for the filter
5)flora/fauna kept
6)timespan before maintainance(one every 6months etc...)

Hope to see fellow hobbyist here share their valuable input regarding this subject as i understand there are no fixed conditions with regards to maintaining a external cannister filter?

Cheers!