Could you use an Eheim to filter a stack of tanks?

[Rocketman]

Alright, here's the idea...

One of my friends and I were thinking of starting a business with fish. Probably breeding, and some other stuff. But, would it be possible to use an Eheim to filter a stack of, say, 9 or 12 10G tanks? Each hose back to each tank would have a ball valve on it to adjust for that whole gravity issue. In any case, it would probably be a shelf, 3 teirs high, with 4 tanks on each. The output from the Eheim would split off into 4 outputs immideatly - and these would split into 3 each, 1 would go to the top, another to the middle, and last to the bottom. And of course, intakes would be joined but thats simpler.

Ideas? We would probably use an Eheim 2028...I found one online with Media for $200, and I love my 2026. I know it would be easier/maybe cheaper to use a sump, (I saw the DIY sump post) but would this work as well?

 

[blitzen25bm]

the easiest and one of the most efficient would be some big sponge filters. make your own and power them with a big luft pump or a couple of the biggest tetra deep waters.

 

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Rocketman
Each hose back to each tank would have a ball valve on it to adjust for that whole gravity issue.

Would never work. Even with all the tanks at the same height youd have problems. About the only way to do it is to setup a row of tanks, and have bulkheads connecting them all so they all maintain the same water level. But if you went through the trouble of doing that, it would be just as easy setting up a sump with a wet/dry filter or that type of thing.

 

[Rocketman]

Good Slip...hmm.

What makes those, for example, MarineLand Retailer Systems (MARS) work? Each tank overflows into a sump, by way of a PVC pipe. Then it goes through the whole filter, UV, etc, and is then pumped back into the tanks. Is it because this system has the overflows to drain any extra water that makes it work?

 

[ChicoRaton]

Yeah, the reason those work is they have overflows. But I don't like central filtration. disease could wipe out 10 tanks at once, you know... I'd go with a sponge filter in each tank, central air.

 

[RTR]

Central systems are very effective for fish rooms, but you must have solid QT external to the central system or you are shooting yourself in the foot. I've used mine >15 years without any disease outbreak.

Canister filters are really not adequate for a central system.

 

[Rocketman]

What if the tanks drained into a sump which was filtered by a canister?

Of course, then you would be dealing with massive amounts of extra water, it'll probably be cheaper to throw a Whisper 10 on each tank.

Thanks

 

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Rocketman
What if the tanks drained into a sump which was filtered by a canister?

just toss some filter floss right in the sump and be done with it...

 

[Rocketman]

Eh, I work at a pet store so I can get discounts on things like filters. So I can get the Whispers for a few bucks, and this way it isn't a huge project.

I'm off to college in a year, and I'll probably be unable to use the sump then, so...