Connect Canister in series?

[ahyann]

Hi all, just wondering i plan to install an additional canister filter, was wondering if its advisable to connect them in series, or run both individually? The reason is i don't think the existing canister filter is sufficient, no budget for a more expensive plus reliable filter.

[Fuzzy]

Consider buying a pump and connecting that to your canister instead if you just need better flow rate and have sufficient filtration capacity.

Otherwise, I would advise to run your 2nd canister in parallel, not in series.

[Jimmy]

Hi all, just wondering i plan to install an additional canister filter, was wondering if its advisable to connect them in series, or run both individually? The reason is i don't think the existing canister filter is sufficient, no budget for a more expensive plus reliable filter.

what you mean by existing canister filter is not sufficient? in term of filtering? better not to run 2 canister in series. run one as dummy but your flowrate may suffer.

[eviltrain]

i'm running jet-3688 ( dummy ) and atman1200 (working) in series with no problem at all. maybe TS might tell us more about his tank size, current canister model ? check out my rack for more detail

[BFG]

Run both individually is best in my opinion.

[Jimmy]

Run both individually is best in my opinion.

if run both together, combined flowrate how to handle? i mean strong current... just my thought.

[eviltrain]

that will depend on tank size. example 2 canister running on a 4 feet tank and a 2 feet tank, the 2 feet tank will look like a washing machine where as the 4 feet tank will looks normal with adequate flow.

[Navanod]

Consider buying a pump and connecting that to your canister instead if you just need better flow rate and have sufficient filtration capacity.

Otherwise, I would advise to run your 2nd canister in parallel, not in series.

Hi bro,
We can attach pumps to the canister just like that? Ain't that the same as connecting a 2nd canister in series?
I'm also facing a problem with my 2028 having poor flow and is thinking of how I can remedy it.
Currently the loop is

Tank->DIY CO2 reactor->2028->Resun CL650->Tank
Tubing size was slightly reduced at the reactor and there's almost 3m of tubing used in total so I'm guessing all these are killing the flow

However, mine's an old unit and I had to even replace the main o-ring recently as it started leaking...now not sure if its the canister's problem, or because I hooked to many things to it.

[Jimmy]

Hi bro,
We can attach pumps to the canister just like that? Ain't that the same as connecting a 2nd canister in series?
I'm also facing a problem with my 2028 having poor flow and is thinking of how I can remedy it.
Currently the loop is

Tank->DIY CO2 reactor->2028->Resun CL650->Tank
Tubing size was slightly reduced at the reactor and there's almost 3m of tubing used in total so I'm guessing all these are killing the flow

However, mine's an old unit and I had to even replace the main o-ring recently as it started leaking...now not sure if its the canister's problem, or because I hooked to many things to it.

connect external pump if you think your filter is slowing down or insufficient flowrate, then disable the pump of your filter. price of external pump cheaper than a new canister filter?

[eviltrain]

bro navanod,
how come you place the CO2 at the beginning of the schematic? you should place it right after the chiller. the BB in the canister may be deprive of oxygen like this.

[Navanod]

connect external pump if you think your filter is slowing down or insufficient flowrate, then disable the pump of your filter. price of external pump cheaper than a new canister filter?

Oh! Haha, nah, too much clutter...then rather save up and upgrade to more powerful canister

bro navanod,
how come you place the CO2 at the beginning of the schematic? you should place it right after the chiller. the BB in the canister may be deprive of oxygen like this.

Erm, according to some articles and posts I've read, placing it before the canister is supposed to be less restrictive to flow, as well as have the reactor in negative pressure instead of positive (potential of leaking). So I followed that school of thoughts blindly. Not sure if flow would be worst had I placed it after the chiller...

The BB in the canister should be ok. Oxygen and Co2 concentrations are independent and they can both be high. As long as Co2 does not exceed the toxic range and O2 is sufficient, the BB will be fine.

[BFG]

The canister filter might inadvertently induce air pocket to form in the canister when the co2 reactor is before the canister. Gas pocket in the media tray in the canister filter is not good as it waste space for the beneficial bacteria to populate. Try to shorten the length of the hose to 6ft or less if possible.

[eviltrain]

ya, i agree with BFG too.

[Navanod]

The canister filter might inadvertently induce air pocket to form in the canister when the co2 reactor is before the canister. Gas pocket in the media tray in the canister filter is not good as it waste space for the beneficial bacteria to populate. Try to shorten the length of the hose to 6ft or less if possible.

You're very right! That was what happened initially when the bubbles formed a large air space in the reactor before it got so large that the spray of water whipped it into big bubbles that gets sucked into the canister.
Those bubbles then forms pockets in the canisters that occasionally gets whipped into a fine spray of bubbles that goes into the tank.
To combat that, I actually installed a normal glass CO2 diffuser inside the reactor! Learnt this trick from Shadow's DIY CO2 reactor, where he installed an airstone

Talk about going full circle! But now, the fine bubbles from the diffuser quickly disappears in the reactor and I see no more bubbles in the canister. I suppose the benefit of using the diffuser inside the reactor is that the diffuser will not end up full of algae and getting choked, heh!

Not possible to shorten as the chiller is outside the cabinet...will take a pic tonight and post...
To move the reactor is going to take alot of work and many of the tubings have to be cut. Unless I can be convinced of any flow benefits, its not a tempting thought

[Jimmy]

To combat that, I actually installed a normal glass CO2 diffuser inside the reactor! Learnt this trick from Shadow's DIY CO2 reactor, where he installed an airstone

that's what i'm going to do next for my reactor! co2 airstone purchased only but when think of handling the tubing etc, can't make myself to work! haha. anyway still busy with my resetup of 1ft tank. hope the airstone help to dissolve the co2 better, does your help?

[Navanod]

that's what i'm going to do next for my reactor! co2 airstone purchased only but when think of handling the tubing etc, can't make myself to work! haha. anyway still busy with my resetup of 1ft tank. hope the airstone help to dissolve the co2 better, does your help?

Immensely! Without it, the large bubble just does a half-turn before joining the airspace on top of the reactor...
Now I can see alot of tiny bubbles going round and round, almost no airspace on top and no more funny sounds from the canister

But I'm using a normal glass diffuser, not airstone although I suppose it'll work too
Just realized that its getting very OT...apologies to the TS

[Jimmy]

Immensely! Without it, the large bubble just does a half-turn before joining the airspace on top of the reactor...
Now I can see alot of tiny bubbles going round and round, almost no airspace on top and no more funny sounds from the canister

But I'm using a normal glass diffuser, not airstone although I suppose it'll work too
Just realized that its getting very OT...apologies to the TS

ok, thanks! mine currently has airspace on top of the reactor. bubbles big big rising up from source. time to get busy again!

[ahyann]

i'm running jet-3688 ( dummy ) and atman1200 (working) in series with no problem at all. maybe TS might tell us more about his tank size, current canister model ? check out my rack for more detail

My tank size about 200 litre, 3ft x 2.6ft roughly, running on Jebao 8*8 4 tray one, planted tank, may be running the second one independently as you bro. suggested. thanks!