piggybacking filters?
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I wouldn't feed the outflow of one canister filter into the inflow of another, if that's what you are talking about.
But you could easily run multiple filters on the same tank if you feel that you need extra filtration.
I'm not certain about this, but you might even be able to get away with using the same intake and outflow, just split it so the two filters run in parallel.
I think it would be safer (and probably simpler plumbing) to run them separately.
But you could easily run multiple filters on the same tank if you feel that you need extra filtration.
I'm not certain about this, but you might even be able to get away with using the same intake and outflow, just split it so the two filters run in parallel.
I think it would be safer (and probably simpler plumbing) to run them separately.
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If you joined two canister filters of the same type, I would guess that the flow might be slightly higher at the start. But that doesn't mean that it would be worthwhile. One can get far more flow by using the two as separate filters. One of the big downsides to joining them would be the way the first filter would clog sooner. Once the media in that filter is stopped up, any gain would be totally shut down.
Since filters are designed by people who do this full time for companies who do a lot of research on what works, I see very few people who can actually improve the results and can prove it with actual measurements.
As a person with a very strong DIY gene, I'm often tempted to try to improve things but filters are not a place where I mess with the design much. I find far more untested theory on the INTERNET than I find actual proven results with testing to back it.
Since filters are designed by people who do this full time for companies who do a lot of research on what works, I see very few people who can actually improve the results and can prove it with actual measurements.
As a person with a very strong DIY gene, I'm often tempted to try to improve things but filters are not a place where I mess with the design much. I find far more untested theory on the INTERNET than I find actual proven results with testing to back it.
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My ultimate goal is to get more flow. However, I don't want any extra equipment in the tank i.e. powerheads, filter pipes. I only want 1 set of filter pipes.
Anyone running multiple filters wanna give some experiences....?
How are you plumbing them?
Would I need to worry about one filter pulling or pushing more?
Anyone running multiple filters wanna give some experiences....?
How are you plumbing them?
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I haven't run multiples, but if the flow rates are at all similar, I would imagine that a Y from the intake and a Y from the outflow would suffice, as long as it was big enough to easily handle the combined flow rate.
Out of curiosity, what filters are you considering for this, and what's your tank?
I think that with a planted tank, it's generally a safe bet to undershoot the recommended GpH filtration rate, as the plants are going to be handling a lot of the filtration needs.
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For two filters inline to pass more water, it would require the impellers to turn faster. In this case the impeller is turning in time with the 60 cycle AC current. Making it easier for it to turn will not greatly effect the rotation. The second impeller in line will really try to slow any increase in speed rather than turn faster.
I have too much equipment(and to increase water circulation/flow throughout the whole tank) so I plan on doing this as well.
Okay, can't you run one intake pipe and a Y to connect to both canister then run both output to a Y with a slightly larger hose to one output?
Okay, can't you run one intake pipe and a Y to connect to both canister then run both output to a Y with a slightly larger hose to one output?
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FWIW, I've run two canister filters inline for years without a problem. My reasoning was purely speed of maintainence; I use the first canister (Fluval 104)essentially as a prefilter (it's packed with floss) and the second (Eheim 2224) purely as a bio-filter. I can change out the Fluval in five minutes as I can just whip out and discard all of the medium and completely replace with fresh without any concern for bacterial population or biological filtration (I use polyester cushion stuffing so it's extremely cheap to just discard). The second filter gets cleaned maybe once or twice a year as it never gets particularly dirty. Works a treat. Because there's no fussing about with buckets and cleaning out filter media in tank water, I find I tend service the Fluval very regularly and rapidly which keeps the tanks looking great.
In terms of flow, both filters have similar outputs, I think there's a net increase in pressure but not total output...
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In terms of flow, both filters have similar outputs, I think there's a net increase in pressure but not total output...
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This comment is off topic, but the cat is adorable.
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You could also just get an external pump with a higher gph and run that inline of your filter. Essentially, the cannister will just hold media and the external pump will do all the work.
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Lol thank you for pointing that out I missed it at first.
When I first saw this thread, the first thing that popped into my head was piggy backed power filters! Some one do it now!
If you want more filter capacity without more plumbing in the tank, you can just add a few RO type filters canisters in line with your canister filter.
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not looking for more filtration just flow. I only run a tray of bio rings and a purigen bag in another tray. I let the plants do most of the filtration.
agreed =) :thumbsup:
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i have accomplished more flow a couple differnt ways. on my 29 originally i had 2 HOBs i had them set up so that one dumped into the flow of the other in the same direction. I did the same in my colum tank. it worked well in both tanks.
you could funnel down your output forcing the water to move down an ever smaller tube until released into the water. that would give you more force and more directed flow.
or as i have seen suggested above you could y in a air pump, or just put it in line.
you could funnel down your output forcing the water to move down an ever smaller tube until released into the water. that would give you more force and more directed flow.
or as i have seen suggested above you could y in a air pump, or just put it in line.
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Two filters inline won't add flow, just filtration/media capacity. If you want more flow in the tank, run them parallel to each other on different ends of the tank.
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