Filtration Question

[mwil]

OK. First question: Do I need carbon in my filtration system?

Second: How much water do I want to be moving (gallons per hour?)


The reason I ask is because I got a cheap canister filter yesterday and was wondering if I could get rid of the hanging filter. (It's the Lowes pressure canister for outdoor ponds / says up to 800 gallons) Currently I'm only running a powerhead through it (170gph) and 2 other 170gph power heads in the tank. I'm guessing that's a total of 510gph, but only 170 going through the filter? It's in a 55. So, should that work, or do I need to put more through the filter (or do I need carbon somewhere in the system?)

Also, do I need something to skim the top of the water?

 

[Sploke]

There are a lot of varying views on carbon - I don't use it unless its to remove medication, and then its just short-term usage.

Filter flow can vary from 2-3x per hour to 10x+ per hour depending on bioload and filter type. A wet/dry trickle filter can generally get by with lower flows than a canister. However, if you have a very heavily stocked tank, you might want to shoot for more.

If you are using a 170gph powerhead to power a canister filter, I would guess you're probably moving closer to 100gph through the filter itself, after head loss and restrictions from the media. Powerheads really aren't designed to puch against any kind of head pressure so they lose flow very quickly. If you can get a different pump to run teh canister, you might be able to get rid of the HOb, although I'd probably keep it running as a backup anyway.

 

[mwil]

Ok. A little more time with google and I found the 10x recomendation. I've got a 500gph little giant that I'm going to hook up when I get to the house (that should do the trick!)

 

[mwil]

Ok. A little more time with google and I found the 10x recomendation. I've got a 500gph little giant that I'm going to hook up when I get to the house (that should do the trick!)

 

[Que]

Ok. A little more time with google and I found the 10x recomendation. I've got a 500gph little giant that I'm going to hook up when I get to the house (that should do the trick!)

I don't run anything near that in my heavily planted tanks and I haven't had any problems. I do keep a light fish load.

Q

 

[mwil]

OK, I'm wanting to get the pump out of the tank, but all I've got is a submersible. I'm thinking about a diy canister filter, but I'm just not sure exactly how it works. I came across this:

(I realize I would need to go a bit larger) It looks like the pump is in the top? Would there be any difference in putting the pump in the bottom and the intake in the top? Also, how do you get the syphon to keep up with the pump? (for that matter, how do you work that out in a sump? does it just equal out some how, do you have to use different size tubing??? I'm totally baffled about how that works) If anyone has any links to help explane this, that would be great!

 

[Sploke]

that is just using a powerhead to run the canister filter. that would work byt I'd shoot for closer to a 500gph powerhead, and you might see 250gph when all is said and done. teh hard part is sealing the holes for the in and out lines and the hole for the cord.