2 Canister filters vs. 1

T

The Gipper

AC Members
Jan 6, 2002
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Dublin, Ohio
What is the reasoning behind putting two canister filters on the same tank instead of one.

I can see that if one breaks down, the other runs. I could see that you could alternate cleaning them so as not to have as drastic of a change.

My tank is a 120 gal (4x2x2), lots of plants, pressure CO2, 350w of MH lighting, Onyx Sand.


How would you position the intakes and outputs of two canisters?

How do you size them in terms of gph?
 
Gip, it's my understanding that having two canisters will prevent having dead spots (uncirculating water) in such a large tank. It is one of the reasons that in my wet/dry set up I have two overflows...each with a suplly and return. I have water circulating into the tank from both sides in different directions.

As far as GPH, i think you sort of have to guestamate what you think you'll need in regards to tank turnover. Right now with my new set up I am getting a turnover rate of about 5 or 6 times per hour. Since my tank is 150 gallons I had to choose a pump that would cycle the water that many times. Now this turnover rate seems to be very opinionated. Some people are satisfied with a turnover of 2X per hour while others like up to 10. I, not being too sure, just picked a number in the middle. I think it should be fine.

Good Luck - Jamie
 
Originally posted by The Gipper
I can see that if one breaks down, the other runs. I could see that you could alternate cleaning them so as not to have as drastic of a change.
My tank is a 120 gal ..............
How do you size them in terms of gph?
Click to expand...
Those are really good points. IMOpinion - it would be a 'must' to set up 2 canisters. Mine is only an 80 gallon and I like the fact I'm 'overfiltering' with 3 canisters.
You can adjust the flow on the Rena Filstar xP-3. Very nice to have, and it has handles to help out when cleaning it.
I will let others handle the GPH flow needed..

Hope this helps some..
 
Well for one, they don't make many canister filters much over 300GPH.

Eheim makes a big pond style filter(375GPH and a 500GPH) and Otto makes one(475GPH).
I don't like either(I've had both) and the Via Aqua/Rena's are pretty good for $.

Two on your tank gives about the right amount of flow.
The spray bar attachments allow you place the water both along the top and bottom or side etc. Two smaller filters such as these are generally quietier than larger filters and cheaper initial cost.

You can also have one send water through a CO2 reactor, the other through a UV or whatever you want(Another satellite tanks that overflows back into the main tank etc).

CO2 reactors are fine at 300GPH for tanks up to about 250-300Gal if the water is mixed well from other current sources.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
quote:
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Originally posted by The Gipper
80gal,
How do you have your two canister filters positioned (intakes and returns)
Do you hvaa a surface scum problem?
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I don't have a surface scum problem.
The two canisters I run have the intakes off towards the sides - not in the corners though.. More than half way down the tank.
From that one picture (on the Red Lotus thread), you can see the top of the tank open and see both returns. The horizontal return is on the left (Filstar x-P3), and the Fluval 404 on the right.


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