Daisy-Chain two canister filters??

[Joshua Jordan]

I recently purchased the contents of a storage unit through an auction and it was FULL of a bunch of aquarium equipment. In this auction there were 2 brand new Fluval FX6 canister filters and 1 Marineland Magniflow 360 canister filter.(and a bunch of other stuff)

Do any of you have experience connecting or “Daisy-Chaining” two canister filters together? What I am thinking about doing is using the smaller filter; the Magniflow 360, just as a sediment filter and just put sponge filters and filter floss. Then, the output of that filter would go directly to the input of the Fluval FX6 and use it just for biological filtration (and carbon and other media when needed).

This will be for a FOWLR tank…no coral….maybe some GSP or a softie, if any at all. When I got into the hobby about 10 years ago, I was told by everybody on the internet and at my LFS to NEVER use a canister filter in the saltwater hobby. However, I have seen 3 tanks in person that were filtered by canister filters. One of the tanks even had SPS corals. So I figured that now that I own a bunch of canister filters I may as well put them to use and see what happens. And I have always been told to go with more filtration than you think is needed; especially with canisters. The tank is only 36 gallons and the Marineland is “rated” to filter 100g and the FLuval FX6 is “rated” to filter 350g so I may almost have too much filtration; if that is possible. Any advice you may have in filtering a FOWLR setup with canister filters…and any comments or suggestions you can offer about the filtration setup I am considering would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[pufferenthusiast]

I recently purchased the contents of a storage unit through an auction and it was FULL of a bunch of aquarium equipment. In this auction there were 2 brand new Fluval FX6 canister filters and 1 Marineland Magniflow 360 canister filter.(and a bunch of other stuff)

Do any of you have experience connecting or “Daisy-Chaining” two canister filters together? What I am thinking about doing is using the smaller filter; the Magniflow 360, just as a sediment filter and just put sponge filters and filter floss. Then, the output of that filter would go directly to the input of the Fluval FX6 and use it just for biological filtration (and carbon and other media when needed).

This will be for a FOWLR tank…no coral….maybe some GSP or a softie, if any at all. When I got into the hobby about 10 years ago, I was told by everybody on the internet and at my LFS to NEVER use a canister filter in the saltwater hobby. However, I have seen 3 tanks in person that were filtered by canister filters. One of the tanks even had SPS corals. So I figured that now that I own a bunch of canister filters I may as well put them to use and see what happens. And I have always been told to go with more filtration than you think is needed; especially with canisters. The tank is only 36 gallons and the Marineland is “rated” to filter 100g and the FLuval FX6 is “rated” to filter 350g so I may almost have too much filtration; if that is possible. Any advice you may have in filtering a FOWLR setup with canister filters…and any comments or suggestions you can offer about the filtration setup I am considering would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Josh

I don’t have experience with running two filters together but I’ve always used a canister for all my saltwater setups, I see people use HOB filters for their tanks and I think those are worse than the canisters (Unless it’s like a nano or something) I think using canisters would be fine as long as you do maintenance on them often or at least once a month just to clean out filter floss and stuff

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Those 'rated for' rating refer to the amount of biofiltration it can offer on a freshwater tank, they have no bearing on saltwater, since the biofilter is achieved with rocks and flow in a salt tank. Many people, including me, run tanks with powerheads and water changes only, no other filtration needed. (google 'the berlin method' for explanation on how biofilters work on salt tanks).

You can use the hob or canister, or not. They are a good tool that can provide mechanical and chemical filtration and flow. If you do use them, be aware they will trap uneaten food and other debris which will break down and potentially foul the water until its cleaned out, this is what we call the 'nitrate factory', so they need to be cleaned often.

 

[pufferenthusiast]

Those 'rated for' rating refer to the amount of biofiltration it can offer on a freshwater tank, they have no bearing on saltwater, since the biofilter is achieved with rocks and flow in a salt tank. Many people, including me, run tanks with powerheads and water changes only, no other filtration needed. (google 'the berlin method' for explanation on how biofilters work on salt tanks).

You can use the hob or canister, or not. They are a good tool that can provide mechanical and chemical filtration and flow. If you do use them, be aware they will trap uneaten food and other debris which will break down and potentially foul the water until its cleaned out, this is what we call the 'nitrate factory', so they need to be cleaned often.

What they’ve said definitely, I clean mine on a monthly basis

 

[Subsea]

“Do any of you have experience connecting or “Daisy-Chaining” two canister filters together? What I am thinking about doing is using the smaller filter; the Magniflow 360, just as a sediment filter and just put sponge filters and filter floss. Then, the output of that filter would go directly to the input of the Fluval FX6 and use it just for biological filtration (and carbon and other media when needed).”

Why run canisters in series (daises chained)?

 

[Joshua Jordan]

“Do any of you have experience connecting or “Daisy-Chaining” two canister filters together? What I am thinking about doing is using the smaller filter; the Magniflow 360, just as a sediment filter and just put sponge filters and filter floss. Then, the output of that filter would go directly to the input of the Fluval FX6 and use it just for biological filtration (and carbon and other media when needed).”

Why run canisters in series (daises chained)?

Primarily....just because I have them...so I might as well put them to use. As I mentioned, I am thinking about the first filter would be all sediment/mechanical filtration....lots and lots of filter floss. after it goes out of that first mecahnical filter canister...so that most of the sediment has been removed.....it will then go directly into the second filter (the larger one)......it will be primarily biological filtration. My thinking is that splitting up the filtration into two separate canisters, it will be a lot easier to replace all of the filter floss on the first filter....I am thinking that I will clean it monthly and then the second filter (bio media) would only need to be cleaned out every 2 or 3 months since it will not get nearly as much sediment going through it.....and it will also be much more stable by not having to disturb or replace the bio media as often.....which equals a more stable tank.

 

[Subsea]

Interesting way to use canisters.

As an engineer, dealing with fluid mechanics, we daisey chained pumps to increase output pressure of second pump.

In my 25/year mature display, I use canister pumps as high flow cryptic refugiums. I never change media.

 

[Devaji]

to bad they where not Oase canister filters with the easy to clan pre filters.

I see your thought process here just dont know how it will work out? In my mind it should work but the Fx6 might push more water than the smaller one can handle?? IDK I have very little experience with canister filters.

how about sale one FX6 get a 40br and some glass cut for 10 buck and DIY a sump??

I think the canister in SW are bad mith have been busted as long as you clean them out. what size of tank are they going on?

 

[nickng]

Interesting way to use canisters.

As an engineer, dealing with fluid mechanics, we daisey chained pumps to increase output pressure of second pump.

In my 25/year mature display, I use canister pumps as high flow cryptic refugiums. I never change media.

Interesting, do you pre filter the water entering the canister? And how often do you clean out the canister to prevent nitrate build up from rotting food that got sucked in? I have a canister filter lying around and think of using it as a dark cryptic zone.

 

[Subsea]

In 5 years, I have not cleaned it.

Due to comments on this thread, in the next week,
I will disassemble an active canister filter, to seed another canister.

 

[nickng]

In 5 years, I have not cleaned it.

Due to comments on this thread, in the next week,
I will disassemble an active canister filter, to seed another canister

Great, excited to see how this is done. Excellent use for my spare canister filter

 

[GARRIGA]

Daisy chaining like filters will likely work although not sure if both pumps should be running at the same time. Can hook up the other slower flow but then entire system reduced the max flow that will push when filled.

Wouldn’t listen to an LFS stating one can’t run a canister. They make more money selling sumps and skimmers and now roller mats and although Berlin works there’s no reason that biological can’t be pushed off to the canisters and especially these days where dry rock not as porous as when that technique was first deployed.

I’d keep it simple and just run the two FX6 since they have multiple chambers to stack sponges, floss and other media. Since their flow is up the sides then down the middle one could stack the first bin full of floss and just service that periodically. My plans. I’m running an FX2 on my test 20 after adjusting the flow down to stay within what’s reasonable.

Another option is adding a prefer that won’t impede flow as well as post filled with GAC were that needed but then that would add complexity.

 

[IceNein]

Flow rates in pumps are defined at a flow rate at a static head pressure.

Putting a pump after another pump lowers the output head on the first pump, causing it to pump faster.

Putting a pump after another pump causes the input of the 2nd pump to have a higher static head pressure, meaning the differential pressure between its input and its output will be lower increasing the flow of the pump.

Pumps in series work synergistically.

I suspect that the total flow would be somewhat higher than the flow rate of the pump with the higher rated flow. So if you had a 150 gph pump and a 250 gph pump, you might get 300gph total flow.

 

[GARRIGA]

Flow rates in pumps are defined at a flow rate at a static head pressure.

Putting a pump after another pump lowers the output head on the first pump, causing it to pump faster.

Putting a pump after another pump causes the input of the 2nd pump to have a higher static head pressure, meaning the differential pressure between its input and its output will be lower increasing the flow of the pump.

Pumps in series work synergistically.

I suspect that the total flow would be somewhat higher than the flow rate of the pump with the higher rated flow. So if you had a 150 gph pump and a 250 gph pump, you might get 300gph total flow.

Would placing two identical pumps in series not cause pressure issues with the canister assuming that exceeds manufacturing tolerance. Granted fully loaded FX6 run much slower than empty yet that in itself wouldn’t also create additional pressure where possibly the seals might be compromised?

 

[IceNein]

Would placing two identical pumps in series not cause pressure issues with the canister assuming that exceeds manufacturing tolerance. Granted fully loaded FX6 run much slower than empty yet that in itself wouldn’t also create additional pressure where possibly the seals might be compromised?

It is possible that the filter material couldn't handle the increased flow rate, or that the seals couldn't withstand the extra pressure, but I don't think this would be a problem, really.

I'm not advocating that anybody uses any equipment outside of manufacturer's specifications, but I can't really see any reason why it would be a problem, but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

 

[GARRIGA]

It is possible that the filter material couldn't handle the increased flow rate, or that the seals couldn't withstand the extra pressure, but I don't think this would be a problem, really.

I'm not advocating that anybody uses any equipment outside of manufacturer's specifications, but I can't really see any reason why it would be a problem, but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

Perhaps tested outside for a few days just to check