canister filter & plant distance

[kveeti]

Setting up a planted 50 gallon long. I’ve never had a canister filter before. With my current tank, I had an AC which I just stuck in the middle of the tank and never tried very hard to conceal.

The intake and output of my canister are at opposite ends of the tank. Obviously, the back corner where the intake is, is where you put larger plants anyway, and also for a bit of concealment.

So, (A) when planting, what kind of radius do you leave around your intake tube?

(B) Out of curiosity, do you have your spray bar going straight out, slightly down, or slightly up?

 

[beviking]

I don't think intake and outflow at opposite ends is the best configuration.

I have my intake and outflow in the same corner. You can use just an elbow and point the outflow 30-45degrees toward the front of the tank so as to create a swirling action in the tank. It doesn't really cause swirling unless your pump is oversized.
Alternately, you can put the intake and outflow in the same corner and use a spraybar pointed away from the intake along the back of the tank.
You can do anything you'd like really. Unless you use multiple pumps/powerheads, you'll have "dead spots" where detritus will accumulate. When I used my spraybar, I had it just under the surface along the side-wall, slightly pointed down. When I set up my next tank, I will position it vertically to spray along the side(back) wall.

Depending on the plants nearby obviously, a couple inches is usually sufficient spacing...especially if you have a pre-filter on the intake.

Unless you've specifically designed the tank (i.e. terracing, rock walls, etc...) for a certain configuration, you should be able to switch intake/outflow tubes around.
HTH

 

[kveeti]

OK, thanks. More things to think about.