More circulation /more filtration, or both?

[m.lemay]

I've been pondering this for awhile. I want more circulation in my tank. I got the XP3 powering a reactor 1000 which slows the flow of that filter considerably. I got a powerhead in the tank, don't know what it is, got it at petco, its noisy but it moves a lot of water(600 GPH rated). I don't run the powerhead often but I like it 'cause it keeps the crap from settling on the bottom and gives the filter a chance to filter the crap out of the water column.

Here are my options:
1) Get another XP3 and run 2 XP3s on the tank.
2)Disconnect the reactor from the XP3 and run the reactor with a powerhead. A good powerhead not the noisy POS I got now.
3)Any other suggestions.

Is more filtration really neccesary? It might be. After putting that huge piece of driftwood and some major replanting my tank was a mess. I was running the XP3 with the powerhead and the water just would not clear up after about a week. 2 days ago, I decided to pull my Emperor 400 out of moth balls and run that with the XP3 and the powerhead. The tank cleared up within 24 hours and the bottom is cleaner than its been in a long time.

What would you do?

Marcel

[Momotaro]

Marcel,
I would add the second filter, if it is something you can afford to do.

The second filter would act as a mechanical filter and increase circulation in your aquarium, while the first XP3 continues as your biological filter and the power plant for your CO2 reactor. A powerhead will move water for you but the second XP3 will not only be moving water, but filtering it also. The second XP3 performs two functions.

I do the same thing with two Eheims, and I am very satisfied.

Mike

[Guttboy]

Marcel,

I am running 2 Filstar XP3s. I am also running a reactor 1000. I have both setup with extensions I made to REDUCE the circulation a bit in the tank. I forgot where I posted this but there were pictures on how I did it.

I would go with both FILSTARS...rationale is that you are cycling the tank water about double what you are doing now and getting the biological and mechanical filtration of both.

I personally do NO vacuuming like some do.

I like my setup.

Mike

[Wasserpest]

If the Reactor 1000 reduces circulation and filtration, I would first disconnect that one and see if that improves the situation. If it does, I would not buy another canister, but instead look for a different way to get CO2 dissolved. This may sound cheap... but have you ever tried running your CO2 directly into the inlet of the xp3? I would try that first and see if that causes you any problems, like tiny bubbles spit into the tank. It will definitely dissolve 100% of the CO2.
Powering the reactor with a separate powerhead might be another option.
If the circulation is fine, but the filtering doesn't seem to keep up, perhaps the filter inlet needs to be moved out of it's corner, maybe closer to the bottom, somewhere where it catches more of the debris. Think about the current in your tank, driven by the filter outlet, and place the inlet accordingly.

[m.lemay]

Thanks guys, I was kinda leaning towards adding the second XP3 but being the cheap SOB that I am :lol: , I thought there might be an alternate method I hadn't thought about. I really do need both more filtration and circulation. So it's done, I'm gonna order a new XP3.

Mike, I found the link you were referring to ,Here it is:http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/vie...;highlight=pvc.

One Question: Did you tee the 2 filters into 1 hose so that you only had 1 intake and outlet into the tank?

While you were trying to decrease flow I'm trying to increase it and I'm afraid that teeing it in will decrease the flow too much. All the plants and driftwood really dampens the current inside the tank. I think I'll run both intake and outlets into the tank. I should be able to hide everything behind the monster driftwood.


Marcel

[m.lemay]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

If the Reactor 1000 reduces circulation and filtration, I would first disconnect that one and see if that improves the situation. If it does, I would not buy another canister, but instead look for a different way to get CO2 dissolved. This may sound cheap... but have you ever tried running your CO2 directly into the inlet of the xp3? I would try that first and see if that causes you any problems, like tiny bubbles spit into the tank. It will definitely dissolve 100% of the CO2.
Powering the reactor with a separate powerhead might be another option.
If the circulation is fine, but the filtering doesn't seem to keep up, perhaps the filter inlet needs to be moved out of it's corner, maybe closer to the bottom, somewhere where it catches more of the debris. Think about the current in your tank, driven by the filter outlet, and place the inlet accordingly.

I've run the Reactor on the inlet side before and it creates problems with undissolved CO2 being sucked into the cannister and causing the filter to burp too much. My intake is already close to the bottom. If my tank were not so densely planted I would get plenty of current. Right now the outlet is on one end and the intake's at the other. I think I'll just get over my cheap self and get the XP3. Thanks for the suggestions

[Momotaro]

Marcel,
I think the "tee" you are referring to was the connection I used for the surface extractor. I would not tie the two filters together. I would have both suctions and returns working. I have one intake tube low in the aquarium and one on the other side placed around the middle. Sort of like two zones. You can run your spray bars any way you like to get the water moving. If the current is too strong, you can easily increase the tubing diameter coming off of the XP3, or increase the size of the holes in your spray bar.
I like the two filter set up. If you have to increase circulation, why not filter that water also.

Mike

[Guttboy]

Marcel,

If you were asking this mike...Me...LOL...the two filstars are run independently with NO TEE fitting between. I run the 1000 on one ( the exit of the filstar inline in the tubing ) and one I run separately.

Mike

PS I found the circulation a bit much with it running alone but might experiment and take off one of the extensions to increase my circ a bit.

[m.lemay]

I ordered the xp3 from bigAls on friday. I should be seeing it here Wednesday or Thursday.

Marcel

[Guttboy]

There you go Marcel!

I think you will be very happy!

BTW the bacopa is taking off like a champ! Glosso still there and not dead yet and the crypts doing well didnt lose all the stems so its pearling right along! Thanks

Mike

[m.lemay]

Wooohooo Just got the second XP3. I'll be installing that tonight.

Momotaro: Why don't you come over and give me a hand getting all this equipment situated :lol: I see the pics of your cabinet and then look at mine ..., well lets just say that I won't be taking pics of mine ops:

Marcel

[Momotaro]

Hey Marcel,
My girlfriend has family up in Woodbury. If I was off this weekend I could have scheduled a stop! I think I can help you from here though. Just wring your hands a lot, rub your forehead and keep saying "This is a mess. This is a mess...I have got to do something about this mess"! If that doesn't help, check out this link:

http://www.ocfoundation.org/



Mike

I know you will be happy with the new equipment!

[Buck]

I agree, more filtration the better, fewer cleanings necessary since the load is cut in 1/2... its a win-win situation. I really think that water with good circulation is better for staving off algae buildup.

I am hooking up another XP2 to the 56 but I am having a hard time with all the stacks hangin in there...

I WANT A BULKHEAD FITTED TANK ! :cry:

[m.lemay]

I think it's safe to say that I don't suffer from OCD. Just ask anyone thats ever lived with me :lol: In a world of Oscar Madisons and Felix Ungers I'm an Oscar Madison :roll:

Marcel