Increasing canister flow

[WATduh]

So I am quite the opposite of an aquarium plumbing genius- I learn as I go and usually learn from looking at pictures of all your setups!

I would like to increase my flow on my canister filter- mainly to achieve a little more surface agitation (and obviously a greater general flow rate/tank circulation).

What's the best way to achieve this? Can I plumb-in a pump to my outflow line? Any recommendations on pumps?

Here's my current setup:
*50 gallon tank (36x18x18)
*Fluval 405 Canister filter w/a fluval spray bar mounted about an inch below the water surface
*Outflow line from the filter runs directly into an 18" griggs reactor
*Line runs from the reactor straight to an inline heater
*Line runs from the heater, straight to the spray bar

To help increase circulation in the tank, I have a small aqueon circ. pump, which is mounted on the left side of the glass, just about mid-glass. Just enough to give my plants a little movement.

Any ideas, pictures, examples would be greatly appreciated

[PlantedRich]

Top 'o the head suggestion would be something that I don't often favor. Removing some media from the canister might get some more flow. This will depend on having more bio filtering than needed. How's the load in the tank? any slack for reducing the filter? A change of media type from fine filter to more bio-filter which less more water through? Sometimes folks get a little carried away with stuffing the filter. Maybe some changes there?

For me, the first move would not be adding a pump inline but I would look at adding some small pump to stir the water or surface. I find this moves debris around to the filter better. I only add more pumps or filters as really needed as they tend to add heat, noise and work. Sounds like you may have too many restrictions in the filter line. Maybe moving some of those out to a stand alone setup?

[TwoTacoCombo]

I've got a 36x18x18 tank as well, but with an Eheim 2217 and the nice, 3-section spraybar kit. The kit lets you aim the flow in 3 different directions. I've got it tweaked so that one of the sections is pointing up at the surface, while the other two are pointing slightly down. I've got a nice ripple going, and the frogbit does nascar laps all day. You can hook these spraybars up to any filter that uses a 1/2" output hose. I've also got a Koralia 240 that I turn on to stir up the settled debris every now and then. That thing will give you some wicked flow, but may uproot plants that haven't firmly established yet. You can also point it towards the surface to really get things moving up there. Between these two units, I get more than enough flow for the tank.

[WATduh]

Originally Posted by PlantedRich

Top 'o the head suggestion would be something that I don't often favor. Removing some media from the canister might get some more flow. This will depend on having more bio filtering than needed. How's the load in the tank? any slack for reducing the filter? A change of media type from fine filter to more bio-filter which less more water through? Sometimes folks get a little carried away with stuffing the filter. Maybe some changes there?

For me, the first move would not be adding a pump inline but I would look at adding some small pump to stir the water or surface. I find this moves debris around to the filter better. I only add more pumps or filters as really needed as they tend to add heat, noise and work. Sounds like you may have too many restrictions in the filter line. Maybe moving some of those out to a stand alone setup?

I'm pretty much on the high end of my stocking level, but I have removed some excess media before. I replaced the filter floss with purigen packets- which did wonders for my flow. Everything else is pretty standard filter media, pre-filter on the bottom and bio on the top.

[WATduh]

Originally Posted by TwoTacoCombo

I've got a 36x18x18 tank as well, but with an Eheim 2217 and the nice, 3-section spraybar kit. The kit lets you aim the flow in 3 different directions. I've got it tweaked so that one of the sections is pointing up at the surface, while the other two are pointing slightly down. I've got a nice ripple going, and the frogbit does nascar laps all day. You can hook these spraybars up to any filter that uses a 1/2" output hose. I've also got a Koralia 240 that I turn on to stir up the settled debris every now and then. That thing will give you some wicked flow, but may uproot plants that haven't firmly established yet. You can also point it towards the surface to really get things moving up there. Between these two units, I get more than enough flow for the tank.

I like this idea, but I don't have that 3 section spray bar kit. My spray bar kit did come with an extension tube, which I considered plumbing the entire thing into an "L" configuration, one spray bar across the back and one spray bar across the right side of the tank, but I haven't figured out how to securely plumb this in.

I guess I could get some kind of T-fitting and plumb the outflow tubing into this and then figure out how to connect the other ends to the spray bars.

Do you have any tank pics?? Would live to see another 36x18x18.

[Kyrol]

Why not just add another circulation pump then bring them both up near the top of the tank?

[WATduh]

Originally Posted by Kyrol

Why not just add another circulation pump then bring them both up near the top of the tank?

I've considered this as well, but I'm trying to keep the clutter to a minimum. I actually have the Koralia 550 in my tank right now (the aqueon is more of a spare). I really wouldn't want two circ. pumps protruding from the sides.

I think I might follow through on the "L" configuration of the spray bars, it's just a matter of finding fittings that'll work with the small size of the spray bars. Or completely doing a DIY spray bar.

[Complexity]

Given that you said you're at the top levels of your stocking ability, you're having flow issues, you've already added a pump and have changed your canister packing, and now you're talking about buying more stuff to change the spray bar... it would seem that you're at the point of needing to add another canister filter.

Adding another canister filter would solve all your problems. You could remove the pump (and sell it if you want). It would give you the extra spray bar you want. You can now pack the first canister the way you used to, as well as pack the new canister the way you want. Your flow would be greatly increased.

You'd also gain additional benefits. Having a second canister makes it much easier to clean the canisters without having to worry about destroying all your beneficial bacteria. You just alternate which canister you clean so one always stays dirty to maintain a good bacteria load. If you ever started up another tank, you'd also have plenty of biomedia to split off for the new tank.

All filters break down at some point, and while the problems are usually minor, they don't always happen at a time when we can fix them immediately. When you have two canisters, it's not a problem because you can let the tank run off of one canister until you have time to fix the other one after you get off work or school. This is especially helpful if you have to order a part to make a repair (such as an o-ring or impeller).

There are so many great advantages to having two canisters that I recommend it for all tanks, and I think it would be especially good for your situation. You could finally fix all the problems you've been having. I think once you get a second canister, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

[WATduh]

Originally Posted by Complexity

Given that you said you're at the top levels of your stocking ability, you're having flow issues, you've already added a pump and have changed your canister packing, and now you're talking about buying more stuff to change the spray bar... it would seem that you're at the point of needing to add another canister filter.

Adding another canister filter would solve all your problems. You could remove the pump (and sell it if you want). It would give you the extra spray bar you want. You can now pack the first canister the way you used to, as well as pack the new canister the way you want. Your flow would be greatly increased.

You'd also gain additional benefits. Having a second canister makes it much easier to clean the canisters without having to worry about destroying all your beneficial bacteria. You just alternate which canister you clean so one always stays dirty to maintain a good bacteria load. If you ever started up another tank, you'd also have plenty of biomedia to split off for the new tank.

All filters break down at some point, and while the problems are usually minor, they don't always happen at a time when we can fix them immediately. When you have two canisters, it's not a problem because you can let the tank run off of one canister until you have time to fix the other one after you get off work or school. This is especially helpful if you have to order a part to make a repair (such as an o-ring or impeller).

There are so many great advantages to having two canisters that I recommend it for all tanks, and I think it would be especially good for your situation. You could finally fix all the problems you've been having. I think once you get a second canister, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

Complexity, I like this idea as well and I will consider it. I just need to figure out the details, like where to place it under my tank. It wouldn't be impossible, but it may take a little rearranging.

Would you recommend adding a second 405 or purchasing a smaller model (like the 205 or 305?) I'm not sure if there is much of a difference between the two, aside from the amount of media baskets. I know they all have different size foam blocks, but those should hardly ever be replaced. A smaller Fluval model would be easier to arrange underneath the tank.

[sphack]

Is it possible to plumb two filters in parallel using the same intake and spray bars if sized properly? If the plumbing is sized large enough I would expect to be able to avoid check values.

[fishyboy]

yes you can, just a lil trial and error and upsizing pipes.

[PlantedRich]

I'm a guy who likes the minimum equipment to maintain. For me that goes away from two filters if one is large enough to do the bio well. I've never had a canister breakdown and if it did, I'm only a short trip from getting an impeller so I never worry the redundancy question. I do have several small tanks and filters which could be swung over if needed but my tanks never run that close to the border on bio filtering. They can all last through a day without power. It just requires more water changing during those times. As power supplies become more of a problem here in Texas, I may have to set up some backup plans but for right now the rolling blackouts are not too much problems.

[Complexity]

Originally Posted by WATduh

Would you recommend adding a second 405 or purchasing a smaller model (like the 205 or 305?) I'm not sure if there is much of a difference between the two, aside from the amount of media baskets. I know they all have different size foam blocks, but those should hardly ever be replaced. A smaller Fluval model would be easier to arrange underneath the tank.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having two of the same canisters. Since I don't use Fluvals, I can't really say how much either might apply to that brand.

Advantages to having similar (or the same) canister is that you only have to stock one size of any replaceable media. For example, when I was running Renas and Eheims, I always had to keep different foam for each one. I'm only running my Renas now, and although they aren't all the same size, they all use the same media so I just have to stock one kind. The same goes for replacement parts, hoses, whatever. You can even swap things back and forth which is also good for jump starting new tanks.

Disadvantages may be spending more money than necessary, not having room for a bigger canister than you need, stuff like that.

I think you have to decide for yourself what's best. The main thing is to not scrimp too much, only to regret it later. The price difference between one model and the next size up is usually not that much.