True L/h On Canister Filters...

[Steffyboy]

When a company states that their product can do, say 2000L/H...that is only with the canister filter empty i was told.
So does anyone know what the true readings would be with all the media in?
I've just bought an All Pond Solutions 2000L/H canister filter for my 4ft tropical (350L) and I already have an Aqua One 1000 for my 190L cold water.
I wanted to get rid of the internals to create more space and for easier access when cleaning filters...so could anyone tell me what the true reading are for my 2000L/H and 1000L/H filters with the media in...Thank you.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

My 2 APS2000EFs run at...
~1350lph with nothing connected to the u-bend, so flow goes vertically down to the tank floor.
~1200lph, with no spraybar modules attached, but the 90 degree bends added to give horizontal flow options.
~1000lph with one spraybar module connected.
~800-900lph with 2/3 spraybar modules connected.
 
You can usually bank on real world turnover being at least 10% lower than marketing blurb, but some brands are more open about this, for instance my Eheim 2078 runs pretty close to 1150lph in maximum override mode.

 

[Shaddex]

I believe that LPH is calculated with nothing attached to the filter, so no head, no pipes attached.
MAX Flow rate out of the Filter.
I use the 60% of MAX flow at 0 Head. So 2000LPH MAX at 0m head would be 1200LPH or there abouts.

 

[Steffyboy]

Thanks for that.
So my APS 2000L/H is only using around 1350L/H???
What a rip off!! It should be what they label it as with filter media in ect!!

 

[DrRob]

There was a thread, way back, in the hardware section, that had several live tests done of various filters.
 
I'll have a mooch around for it.

 

[Steffyboy]

Cheers buddy...much appreciated.

So do internal filters lose any suction?
Can't see them losing as much as external as they're directly in the water.

 

[Shaddex]

Funnily enough, my daughter has an internal and external filter and I have to clean the internal more often than the external.

 

[snazy]

So my APS 2000L/H is only using around 1350L/H???
What a rip off!! It should be what they label it as with filter media in ect!!
 

 
If you use it without the spraybar it will have quite a flow inside a 190L.  The spraybar fittings and even the U turn are way narrower than the hoses the filter comes with which effectively reduces the flow. I don't even know why it's designed like that.  If you can find something that does not reduce the hoses size, the flow will go up even further.
Regardless I use mine in a 330 litre(although I have another 2 small filters in there)The good side of this filter despite the drop in flow from manufacturer's ratings is that it's very large and supports a lot of bioload. Mine does not drop the flow noticeably even after 6 months non-clean and keeps the water sparkling, so it isn't such a bad thing for the price. It's super easy to clean and restart too, it reprimes itself as long as you don't fill it up to the very top. Just slightly below the top basket is enough, then close it down and turn it back on.
 
Other than that, different filters have different actual flow rate output once media and hoses are connected. All plays a role, if any inline heaters are used, any hose bends, reducers, lenght of hose, type of output parts, etc..Also

 

[Shadders]

I have the APS1000 and I did a test when fully loaded with media, it ran at just below 10.5L per minute = 635L/H, its been running for 12 months and only had one deep clean, when I say deep clean I mean impeller housing and pipes cleaned out with bottle brush, media baskets have never really needed much cleaning, just replaced  pads every three months or so, no noticeable reduction in flow over that time, its almost a setup and forget system, never had any problems priming after maintenance,  don't buy the replacement pads, get yourself a huge bag of filter floss for half the price and last ages

 

[laurac94]

I have 2 aps2000 filters, one arrived yesterday with half of the media missing :'( but they are sending me out some more ;-) how would I go about increasing flow? I have one on my piranha tank and after 2 months of it being hooked up there seems to be very little flow (they are disgustingly messy fish) how do I even get to the impeller?
I didn't know that it wasn't 2000 L/H either so im abit annoyed about that ;-)

 

[snazy]

 how do I even get to the impeller?
 

 
It's on the head itself. Look into the instructions that came with the filter and it explains. Once you open the filter and turn the head upside down, in the middle of it there is a plastic circle. You need to unwind/unscrew it by pressing it down and then turning it unticlockwise(i think). It may seem tricky the first time if the filter is used. Just careful as it's plastic. Once you open that, the impeller is inside. I'd suggest trAIN yourself on the new filter as it won't be stuck with debris and you'll see exactly how it's done.

 

[Shadders]

Snazy beat me to it
 
to clean impeller remove cover by turning anti clockwise then pull out impeller, clean and replace, (arrowed in picture)

to clean pipes I have a small bottle brush on a long plastic cane thats gets pushed through the pipes, if you have really dirty fish you may need to do this more regularly than i do mine, I only have a low bio load so can get away with less cleaning

 

[laurac94]

Ok great, I'll have a go;-) thanks

 

[DrRob]

Ok, found it.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/370607-external-filter-tests/

 

[snazy]

Ok, found it.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/370607-external-filter-tests/

 
It suggests that the filter pumps 2.5 litres in 10 seconds. That's too small of a time frame to do it without error.  If you get it wrong 1-3 seconds that would change the flow rate from 900 to 1300l/h for example.   2.5L in 10 seconds also suggests that the filter would be filling a 500ml glass of water for 2 seconds and to be honest I bet you'd fill a pint glass from the filter output faster than that, at least mine would(I'll try it next time)
Plus the person that tested does not mention how long the hoses are, how they are installed, if the hoses have bends, etc...
 
That's my APS below without the sprabar:
[media]http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=izycGqkCnzI[/media]