Random Filter Question

[morefirejules08]

has any one tried hooking up external filters in series? by which i mean putting the outlet of one filter into the inlet of a second? would it work??

cheer, chris

 

[Mr Bliss]

has any one tried hooking up external filters in series? by which i mean putting the outlet of one filter into the inlet of a second? would it work??

cheer, chris

Conventional wisdom says no.

We don't use super-thick layers of filter media for the same reason. The bacteria in the filter deplete the water of oxygen and, to a lesser degree, bicarbonate. The further you go, the more acidic and anoxic the conditions become, until the entire nitrification process is reversed and the bacteria start converting nitrate back to nitrite and ammonia, with some methane and hydrogen sulphide on the side.

In any case, why would you want to hook them up in a series to begin with? Wouldn't a parallel setup be much simpler in almost all circumstances?

 

[morefirejules08]

can you elaborate on what you mean by setting the filters up in parallel?

the reason im looking at hooking 2 filters up together is because i have a large tank with 4 small cupboards so im limited on the overall size of filter i can fit and rather than have lots of hosing going into and out of the tank i want 2 sets of 2 filters with only 1 set of hosing per 2 filters!

as for the other problem you high lighted, couldn't you fill the first filter with bio and mechanical and the second with chemical? thus removing the problem of oxygen depletion?

 

[squeakytoy]

Perhaps it might be easier to modify the cabinets to allow them to run together, allowing a larger canister to fit. Another option might be to use a fluidised sand bed as "canister two." I have been reading up a bit on them, and they seem to be amazingly efficient bacterial converters. I have been thinking of setting up one for myself, primarily as a auxillary processor, to help control any kind of spikes.

 

[andywg]

Perhaps it might be easier to modify the cabinets to allow them to run together, allowing a larger canister to fit. Another option might be to use a fluidised sand bed as "canister two." I have been reading up a bit on them, and they seem to be amazingly efficient bacterial converters. I have been thinking of setting up one for myself, primarily as a auxillary processor, to help control any kind of spikes.

They are also believed lose their bacteria somewhat quickly in a power cut as the sand settles and compacts and deprives the bacteria of both space and oxygen.

Hook one up to a UPS though and you are laughing.