2 filters inline

[Aeon]

Possible to connect 2 filters in this way to create stronger flow and more filtration capacity? I'm thinking of this setup because I'm planning to change my biofiltration media without needing to recycle. Once the new filter's BB established, I can changed the old one to the new media.

[ankank]

Possible to connect 2 filters in this way to create stronger flow and more filtration capacity?

More capacity: Yes. Stronger flow: No. The flow rate will, at best, be the one of the stronger pump.

I'm thinking of this setup because I'm planning to change my biofiltration media without needing to recycle.

In a healthy and well grown planted tank, there are just as many bacteria in the tank's substrate as are in the filter. Depending on the tank size and its status, you might even stop one filter and start the new one without major impact on the tank's water quality. To be absolutely sure, though,
- Let both filters run in parallel for a few weeks, or
- Squeeze out the gunk from the old filter media into the new filter

You didn't mention which media composition will be your new one, but both seem flawed. Put at least a small layer of filter wool or filter fleece on top, for mechanical filtering of the smallest parts. And permanently using activated carbon is pointless at best.

[valice]

It depends on the filter composition.
The japanese school of thought goes with large biological filter with a layer of bamboo charcoal permanently placed in the filter. It acts as both the typical adsoprtion and also as a biological filter.

[BFG]

Run both filter separately. You can have 1 offline for maintenance while the other is still running. A month later when the 1st filter has regenerate it's own beneficial bacteria sufficiently, you could take the other canister filter offline for maintenance. That's the advantage of having 2 filter. But if you run them in series, you might start off with low count of beneficial bacteria which MIGHT not cope with the volume of water passing through it after doing maintenance.

[Interestor]

i am running both in series now for few months, found out not of much help, it also depends on the media you add !

would suggest run seperately, as you can interchanged weekly when doing media washing


CHeers..

[Aeon]

Hmm I'm thinking like if there's 2 pumps then there's more "torque" and even same flow rate can flow through media better.

My tank is only 2 weeks old and I'm planning to change the all the bio media into bio-home/mr aqua eventually.

I'm more inclined to the Japanese school of thought. I'm currently using AC in the filter and although Nitrates drops fast I can still maintain a good 5-10ppm with daily dosing.

[Aeon]

Just saw the new replies. is it ok if I merge the 2 in/outlets into 1 as I'm using Lily Pipes. Not cool to have 2 sets LOL.

And rather than have 2 same combination and take turns wash, why not have 1 full-bio and semi-bio + mechanical? This way the fully-bio one can be left undisturbed and only need to wash one.

[ankank]

My tank is only 2 weeks old

I don't really get it. This is a VERY fresh tank, and it's probably not even fully cycled yet. For sure not to a state where there's a stable bacteria culture. If you change filters now, you will only lose a part of the first two weeks' development. Did you already introduce fish, or why are you so bound on not losing those two weeks?

is it ok if I merge the 2 in/outlets into 1 as I'm using Lily Pipes.

That would sum up the flow rate of both filters, but, hey, it's your tornado fish tank.

And rather than have 2 same combination and take turns wash

Take turns? Within the few weeks of running them parallel? Jeez, how often do you think you have to wash an external canister filter? They remain unopened for several months! And even then you don't have to "wash" them, only remove the debris buildup.

[Aeon]

I bought a bigger Eheim 2028 and just dumped my old rings into it. Lots of space! Thanks for the help all!

[cheetf]

I don't really get it. This is a VERY fresh tank, and it's probably not even fully cycled yet. For sure not to a state where there's a stable bacteria culture. If you change filters now, you will only lose a part of the first two weeks' development. Did you already introduce fish, or why are you so bound on not losing those two weeks?


That would sum up the flow rate of both filters, but, hey, it's your tornado fish tank.


Take turns? Within the few weeks of running them parallel? Jeez, how often do you think you have to wash an external canister filter? They remain unopened for several months! And even then you don't have to "wash" them, only remove the debris buildup.

Wow! You are really good. You can sum up everything without even knowing any details about the tank other than it is 2 weeks old.

[ankank]

Wow! You are really good. You can sum up everything without even knowing any details about the tank other than it is 2 weeks old.

So please do tell me what else I need to know to make the statements I made. I'll happily stand corrected.

[cheetf]

Well for one, he doesn't mention if the present filter media has been transferred from somewhere else.

Secondly, he could have a 6ft X 2ft X 2ft. I doubt that would be much of a tornado in that tank.

Lastly, do you know what he has in the tank? How much bioload is there? It may be that there is a lot of solid waste.

Look at his date of joining this forum, he's no newbie.

[ankank]

Well for one, he doesn't mention if the present filter media has been transferred from somewhere else.

I assume he would simply have transferred the media into the new filter then (which he eventually did). And even with used filter media, a tank will still have to cycle (although very faster) and certainly isn't "stable" after two weeks.

Secondly, he could have a 6ft X 2ft X 2ft. I doubt that would be much of a tornado in that tank.

That's why I used the emoticon.

Lastly, do you know what he has in the tank?

No, that's why I specifically asked about his livestock in a later posting.

Look at his date of joining this forum, he's no newbie.

Besides the fact that I've encountered people who've been running tanks for 20 years while not knowing the first thing about fishkeeping: I'm sorry if I gave the impression of taking him as a newbie. This was not my intention, and may be the result of English not being my mother tongue.

[Aeon]

Hey no problem dudes, chill chill. I have started planted tanks 11 years ago but I'm still not an expert yet. Especially after stopping for NS, now I really feel noobish.

I indeed have a high bioload even though my tank has not been cycled fully. Girlfriend like to see fishes so... My shrimps are dying so I'm trying to salvage things. On top of that i was suspecting the glass bio media was crap. So I changed to a Eheim 2028 which is much bigger + old & new media but flow rate about the same. My tank is 120cm x 45cm x 45cm. So a double flowrate will probably churn my tank around

Anyway I'm just trying to get a discussion going about having 2 filters inline and switching filter medias. Sorry if I sounded noobishly annoying.

[valice]

I think with all the bio medias, regardless of the brand, they all take time for the bacteria to start colonising them.

It is an interesting thought to have 2 filters inline to expand the capacity of the filter. It is abit like a sump, big capacity, but in a canister form.

What I previously contemplated was using an external pump, in the form of a Eheim 1250 or Aquabee 2000i to draw the water from the tank and pumping it through the two canisters. And the impellers of the two filters are removed.

Only fear of doing so is that the O-ring on the filters might not be able to take the increased pressure and burst.

In addition, depending on your positioning of your outlet (I believe you are using a lily pipe?), don't think you will get much churning. Moreover, if it is a planted, the hardscape and plants might break up this flow.

[vinz]

Wow! You are really good. You can sum up everything without even knowing any details about the tank other than it is 2 weeks old.

On the other hand, you made assumptions about Ankank's assumptions.

Please remember, without instant and face-to-face communication, mis-understandings can arise due to the lack of body language, intonations and instant clarifications.

If you feel someone's post is doubtful or mis-leading, ask for clarification before you confront. Most times, at the end of the day, you might find that it was all a big mis-understanding.

Everybody in this thread replied with good intentions.

I cannot speak for Ankank, but in my experience, when a person is not 'speaking' in a foreign language they sometimes come across less then polite, arrogant or even rude simply because they do not know the nuances of the language. (Consider why some languages are taught in different versions, e.g. conversational Japanese, formal Japanese, etc.)