[Honormlb]

I modified an Odyssea CFS500 canister filter but decided that there was not enough flow for my 70 gallon planted tank so added a Supreme Air Fractionating Water pump model 9.5 B downstream from the canister filter to the inline plumbing beneath the tank. My hope is to use the air fractionating element to add co2 to my planted tank setup. This will then run through the diffusing chamber made from a whole house water filter canister and an inline water heater then back into the drilled tank.
My question is can I use the water pump built into the Odyssea canister filter as well as the Supreme water pump or should I take the impeller out of the Odyssea pump? I have read about helper pumps but my local fish stores are conflicted. One told me to take the impeller out of the Odyssea since it would create back pressure and vacuum bubbles as the Supreme tried to pull faster that the Odyssea would allow and overheat and so I should let the Supreme pump do it on its own, the other told me to use both as they would add to each other and overcome the back pressure from the hoses, canister filter, co2 diffusion cylinder and in line heater then back into the tank through the drilled line.
So for all you much wiser than I, should I use both pumps or leave one unplugged and with the impeller removed? Thank you very much for your advice. Sincerely, Honormlb

 

[dzega]

i'd simply test water flow in both cases and would choose the one with higher number.
just measure how much time it takes to pump say a 10 litre bucket full

 

[Honormlb]

water flow test question response

I suppose I could complete all the stages of the plumbing and then put on hoses instead of leading to the tank that lead to buckets in the middle of my office (that is where the tank is sitting now). I need to get the inline heater, co2 diffusion chamber and the air fractionating attachment installed before I can start it up. This looks like it will be messy so better do it when everyone else has gone home and I have about three or four hours.

It seems the simplest test would be to install everything with impeller installed in the canister filter and plug in and unplug the canister filter, but I was told I could damage the canister filter impeller running it without plugging it in, with only the downstream bigger Supreme 9.5 running. Is this a realistic concern?

 

[Virc003]

It seems the simplest test would be to install everything with impeller installed in the canister filter and plug in and unplug the canister filter, but I was told I could damage the canister filter impeller running it without plugging it in, with only the downstream bigger Supreme 9.5 running. Is this a realistic concern?

This sounds plausible. The impellers don't really have a normal bearing to keep them centered. They use an electromagnet. When the power is turned off the magnet has minimal power and the force of the water flow might be enough to bang it around until the magnet scratches or chips. Damage like that will require you to replace parts to repair. if its only going to be running for a minute or two, then you could probably get away without any real damage.