Flow control for canister filters

[yampeck]

Hi to all,

just got a canister filter today... ibrand is dolphin and i was wondering if it's safe if i did not turn the inlet to full? I find that if i turn the inlet valve to full, the flowrate seems too strong for my 2ft. (the outlet is currently turn to full and outlet is via rainbar across the top back of the tank) Will it damage the canister or cause pressure buildup in it?

Anyway, is it better to have the rainbar at the top or middle or bottom of the tank? Its a low maintenance tank w/o any CO2. Mostly moss, java fern, nana and occupants are only 2 emperor tetras.

[tawauboy]

you should leave the inlet at fully open position.
throttle the outlet valve to your desired flowrate.

[yampeck]

Thanks! have adjusted the filter accordingly.
But what abt the rainbar position? i recall some time back there's a poll abt rainbar positioning, so any recommendations on the positioning? Top, middle or bottom?

[Anthen]

Hi to all,

just got a canister filter today... ibrand is dolphin and i was wondering if it's safe if i did not turn the inlet to full? I find that if i turn the inlet valve to full, the flowrate seems too strong for my 2ft. (the outlet is currently turn to full and outlet is via rainbar across the top back of the tank) Will it damage the canister or cause pressure buildup in it?

Anyway, is it better to have the rainbar at the top or middle or bottom of the tank? Its a low maintenance tank w/o any CO2. Mostly moss, java fern, nana and occupants are only 2 emperor tetras.

if the flowrate is too strong, what i will do, is let the rainbar face againist the back glass.. this will reduce the flowrate..

[Cantek Chermin]

In my 2ft lowtech, I tried rainbar at all 3 positions, and here is what I found:

Top: good gas exchange. Great when I had a high bioload. PLants near surface get BBA all the time.

Middle: plants swaying in the current and growth rate slowed down.

Bottom: did the least benefit to me. poor gas exchange, plants didn't grow well in the blast, BGA in other places where there are dead spots as current is most obstructed at the bottom spraybar position.

I also noticed that the spray is strongest at the end of the rainbar and progressively weaker at the holes closer to the hose joining.

I now place the spraybar vertically. The flow goes clockwise in the tank. Seems to suit my tank best. Best of all, I think the spray strength is evened out in this layout, as the shallower it is, there's less outside pressure and vice versa. I also get sufficient surface circulation as well as mid and bottom currents in the tank with this position.

[eyebm]

I think rain bar at 3/4 top postion is the best or dun use it at all.

[psp1000]

ya true, it either position the rainbar in the correct way or dun use it at all. For me, I copy all the holes in the rainbar, only left the end (with no cover) and let the cover cover the outlet. The flow rate is control and no nice at all.

[bossteck]

This is a Dec 2006 thread.