DIY Canister Filter, new idea

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well trying it both ways will only result in learning something about the way water and filters work, which is the best way to learn. But I can tell you that you will notice a huge difference using one method VS the other and as a result chose the best one naturally.

Oh and I realize that the brown stuff is the sub-strait not brown water. If you were a teacher your students would never forget an answer LOL.

 

[Kaluden]

One additional reason to have the powerhead flowing from the canister into the tank is pressure vs vacuum.

Powerhead -> canister -> tank means a pressure build up in the canister in order to cause the flow from the canister to the tank.

tank -> canister -> powerhead means suction from the canister, creating a vacuum inside the canister.

pressure = possible leaks
vacuum = help prevent leaks.

 

[nc0gnet0]

Something goes wrong you still have a pump pulling water OUT of your tank... and possibly onto your floor.

Huh? Your joking right? Same can be said for a siphon design, so I don't get your point.............

 

[nc0gnet0]

The pump WOULD work harder to pump into the canister. Using a syphon is better. Further, most powerheads lack the flow needed to do this job effectively. They are not designed with back pressure from the filter in mind.

Powerhead is a term that is perhaps a bit overused. Trust me there are powerheads with plenty the umph to do the job. would I want them visible in my DT? Probably not. But that was not the question as it was put forward, it was a would it work question....

As for safety concerns there is no difference. Pump longevity......hard to say depends on the design. I guess if the filter media became over clogged the pump could have a shorter lifespan, but then again, if the filter became clogged and the pump ran dry in the canister, it could overheat as well, so its a matter of opinion as to which is more likely to happen.

 

[nc0gnet0]

Look, this design is used in pond situations all the time. The thing is, you usually don't see the pump in the pond.........

As for the pump having to work harder I don't think so, and if so, it would be marginal at best. Once siphon is achieved, the water will fill the the feed tube to the canister and then the the canister itself. Then the water will fill the output hose up to the water level of the aquarium, this will happen without regard to pump placement. The pump then needs only to push the water up over the the top of the tank and out. So the amount of work the pump has to do is the same. It's much the same as accelerating on a down hill slope with your car.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

why the posting since you seem to know all the answers already?

 

[Nolapete]

You're putting a whole lot of head pressure on a powerhead. They are NOT designed to work in such a way. Your flow rate through the canister will be close to none. Most of the water will back flow out of the intake on the powerhead.

 

[nc0gnet0]

You're putting a whole lot of head pressure on a powerhead. They are NOT designed to work in such a way. Your flow rate through the canister will be close to none. Most of the water will back flow out of the intake on the powerhead.

I guess it depends on what "powerhead" the OP had in mind, he never specified. Are we talking like an aquaclear 420, or something on the other end of the spectrum like a rio 2100? I see the term powerhead bantered about alot......

 

[nc0gnet0]

I base my opinions on a setup I have that is simular, in the diagram the "pump" is a little 300 gph submerable pump designed to run a feature in a pond (spitter), you can pick them up for 17 bucks on ebay. Is it pretty? Nope... Does it work? Yup......and I do beleive that was the question. It's been running strong for 6 month now, and yes the filter does occasionally clog and water slows to a trickle, replace the filter and back to normal. Does the pump heat up when the filter gets clogged? Probably, but not eough to effect the tank temperature.

 

[Danwise]

One additional reason to have the powerhead flowing from the canister into the tank is pressure vs vacuum.

Powerhead -> canister -> tank means a pressure build up in the canister in order to cause the flow from the canister to the tank.

tank -> canister -> powerhead means suction from the canister, creating a vacuum inside the canister.

pressure = possible leaks
vacuum = help prevent leaks.

but, wouldn't it still generate the same amount of force inside my canister, be it pressure or vacuum, thus both resulting in potential leaks, or implosions?