Uncommon Filtration

[vannel]

Hi all,

I've been asking this question a lot lately and have been looking for the best possible solution to my new tank setup problem.

I've recently ordered a custom 422 cabinet tank set and due to space constraints, the cabinet is only going to be 40cm tall. That means I'm unable to run a sump and cannot fit most traditional external filters meant for that tank size. Given height constraints, OHF is also out of the question. HOB filters are also tough since my tank is flanked by 2 walls.

My tank maker suggests multiple internal filters but those are typically going to require washing every other day in a tank so large. This is especially so since the tank is meant for perhaps, 1 x xb, 3 x delhezi, 1 x knifefish.

So given this, I've been looking for short canisters but only found the Fluval G6 to be able to support a 400L tank whilst still possibly fitting into the cabinet given its ~34cm height. The canister is overpriced and has a fair number of complaints as well.

So then, is it possible to use a submersible pump like the ones for OHF, and connecting it's output to some small canisters that can fit in my cabinet? I've also considered getting the Laguna Pressure Flo 2500 which is a pond filter but could potentially fit in the cabinet at around 35cm high. Other options include buying multiple prefilters and stocking them with media instead of wool. Has anyone done something like this before? Is it advisible to run a pond filter in an aquarium tank? What's the difference?

Thanks!

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[SwordZ]

Not sure if this'd help but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJtE6JlD7Xg

[vannel]

Nice DIY, but that requires a sump type setup. My tank doesn't have the requisite holes. Also not enough height for enough filter media.

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[Suzerolt]

One idea :

You can get a DC pump (eg Jebao DC6000 or DC9000). This can be placed in your cabinet. Need not be submersible.
Price is about $160-$200

Connect the outlet of your tank to the DC pump.

The outlet of the DC pump can be T off to let's say 2 or more canister smaller filters (due to your height constraints). Its also not an issue to place the canister filter horizontally.
You can get Eheim ones without the motors (they are sold as Eheim pre-filters).

Place some Eheim shut off taps in between for easy maintenance.

Outlet of the canister filters can be T back into a single or leave as multiple inlets back to your display tank

[Urban Aquaria]

Best is to drill holes in your tank and cabinet so that you can install a low profile sump tank, something maybe only 20-30cm in height but long and wide so you get alot of surface area (yet still can access for maintenance).

If you can't get holes drilled in the tank and cabinet, then can consider using an overflow box instead.

Any other filtration you install, ie. single canister filters, multiple canister filters, daisy chained pre-filters etc, will still contain way less bio-media than a low profile sump tank, so its still the better filtration system for large high bio-load setups.

[vannel]

Thanks for the replies thus far. I've just checked with my tank maker. Apparently I've only got 20cm worth of clearance. Sumps are definitely out of the question then.

Placing the external canister/prefilter lying horizontally sounds risky. Do you know how much load we can place on the pump before it becomes too much to run 24/7 and burnout? I might just buy a very strong pump that does 3000+ lph and chain multiple small prefilters. I do have an Eheim AquaCompact 40 that I'm intending to reuse. I'm just not sure how many I can chain before it burns up the pump.

Also, is there a reason for using a T bar as a splitter instead of daisy chaining?

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[limz_777]

Google ecosand filtration, or low profile sump filter that's able to slide out if your tank maker can custom make it

[Suzerolt]

I have a jebao dc6000 for my 3ft marine tank running 24/7 at about 95% power. The nice thing about DC pumps is that you can get a bigger capacity one but run at lower power depending on your system. You can't do this with AC pumps.

It's perfectly fine to place the canister filter horizontally - clips will hold the lid well. One inlet , one outlet. No worries about air bubbles especially if you have an external pump forcing water through.

Daisy chain will work just as well.
Parallel system will allow you to remove one for cleaning but yet keep the pump/flow going with the other.


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[BFG]

That is an abnormal problem to have, you might need to rethink your tank design. You want to enjoy the hobby, not for it to get in your way. Can you raise the cabinet height?

Another idea is to store your canister filter away from the tank, you might have to run a longer hose length.

[vannel]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the inputs. I've seen the ecosand systems before and have my doubts. In any case, it's hard to feed bottom feeders like bichirs given the ecosand system. Additionally, I'm worried that they will accidently swallow the pebbles, leading to impaction and death.

I didn't know about DC vs AC pumps. That's interesting to note. I'll read up a lot more on them. Thanks! Also, good point on running parallel canisters.

I can't raise the cabinet height any further. The tank is placed beside a half height wall and clearance is about 1m from the floor. Hence, 60cm tank height, 40cm cabinet height. My last resort is employing 2 internal filters (OF Hydra 50 / Fluval U4 / Eheim PowerLine XL / any other heavy duty internal filters). I'm actually fine with that but I worry about the fish knocking them out from their suction cups and causing some problem.

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[vannel]

I already have my tank in the progress of fabrication. Would have seriously considered an IOUS system if I knew the clearance was only 20cm.. Bad planning. My initial thoughts were purely on maintaining as large a tank as possible so that I can keep an XB. Guess the bottleneck now is the filtration capability. Sigh!

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[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, this seems to be a unique limitation in your particular space design, so you'll just have to work around it.

Is the actual usable space available for the filter only 20cm height? That'll be a really tough restriction.

limz_77 mentioned a low profile sump tank that can slide out of your cabinet for maintenance, that could be a good idea, i've seen sump tanks in cabinets which are customised with a wheeled/roller platform that can slide in and out, so the sump tank can be built to max. height of the cabinet space. When you need to maintain it, just pull it out like a drawer, when done, simply push it back in.

I guess if you can't supply the tank with sufficient filtration due to the space limitations, then it might be more prudent to re-think the stocking ratios and types of fishes for the tank (rather than subject the fishes to less filtration), maybe switch to lower bio-load livestock to match the reduced filtration capacity.

[vannel]

I've already settled on the cabinet design. It's also a bit of a pain because the tank is not just flanked by 2 walls, but actually placed in a slightly recessed area such that the front of the tank is also partially blocked by a ledge that's 20cm or so. Because of this, my cabinet doors had to be offset approximately 25cm from the right. Talk about an impossible problem to solve! Haha. Even the pullout sump design is going to be tough to achieve, plus at only 20cm of clearance.

I'm 80-90% certain I'll have to end up with multiple internal filters to handle any form of mechanical filtration. Perhaps I'll also DIY a K1 filter for additional biofiltration. Before that, I'll definitely give the daisy chaining a go to see how it'll work out. Worst case, I'll buy 4 prefilters and stock 1 with sponge and leave 3 for bio media. Might also give the OF Hydra Stream a shot since its supposedly able to replace the need for bio media.

On this topic, does anyone know which internal filter supports up to 400L..? Also, which one holds the most media (someone suggested the dymax ef range, which looks like it can hold quite a fair bit of media).

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[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, looks like you'll probably have to utilize space in the tank itself to supplement filtration. Instead of multiple filters inside and outside the tank, perhaps consider doing an IOS system.

I've seen similar setups (like the one displayed by Ocean Free at Aquarama), whereby its also a large tank placed at very low height for viewing at sofa level, not much space below for equipment, so it uses an IOS system positioned on one side of the tank, can store alot of bio-media and accessible by just opening a door on the side. It uses up a portion of the tank volume (internal filters are like that anyways), but it is hidden and looks neat.

[vannel]

Not sure if I'll be in time to notify my tank maker to add in an IOS on the side. Might have to trouble him again. I guess even a small IOS beats internal filters any day.

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[Suzerolt]

Agree with UA that IOS seems like a sensible option. They should be easy to fabricate since it's about adding a few extra pieces of glass internally.


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[vannel]

Hmm. I'm struggling with the fact that I'll have to sacrifice a lot of internal space for an IOS. It does also mean that my hope for an arowana is pretty much impossible. Even the bichirs will feel the squeeze.

Thanks guys. I'll be giving it some serious consideration and weigh the pros and cons of each setup.

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[BFG]

Guess the only way is to diy your own filter. An idea I have right now is using large diameter pvc tube that can open on both end. This will hold the filtering media like biohomme and such. Get a prefilter and stuff it with filter wool. Attach the pump at the end of the diy pvc filter. Something like this-

Display tank--pre filter--diy canister filter--pump--display tank

Better suggestion

Display tank--Eheim Installation Set 1--Eheim Double Tap--Pre filter--Eheim Double Tap--Diy filter--Eheim Double Tap--pump--Eheim Double Tap--Eheim Installation Set 2--Display tank.

The Eheim Installation Set would facilitate you to add water into the set up. You would only need to do regular maintenance on the pre filter while the diy portion holding the filtration media is left untouch. The Eheim Double tap is used to facilitate in separating and/or containing each section in case of problem. There are plan for the diy filter using pvc pipe on youtube.

The diameter of the pvc pipe will depend on the height space available under your tank. The length however is up to you, the longer the pipe, the more media you need to fill in. Both end of the diy pvc filter should have a screw cap and a barb fitting to connect it to the hose as well as to facilitate in adding and removing the filter media. The diy pvc pipe will be laid flat under the tank space. Use teflon/plumber tape on the inner thread of the screw in cap.


Hope this helps!

[vannel]

I've actually seen the DIY video on YouTube showing pretty much the same thing. It does require a lot of handiwork and general reviews of people and their own horizontal canisters is that they will leak over time.

I'll probably go with running..

input > eheim prefilter > jebao DC pump > small dud canister > of hydra stream 1 > output

Probably need to buy a fairly oversized DC pump to make up for some serious head loss. Will additionally also use another heavy duty internal filter within the tank.

Will have to stock the tank very very slowly to ensure I'm able to handle the bioload.

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[seudzar]

I believe fishes are smart and I doubt they will eat the sand or pebbles...