One Filter For Two Tanks

[evilchild]

Can I use one filter to run two tanks?

I have a 2ft tank up and running (about 16 gallons UK I think) and yet to set up my 120 lt tank. I not 100% happy with the filter in my small tank and looking at getting an external filter for the larger tank any way. So can I get a big external filter that has the capacity to cope with both tanks? Would this be advisable or should I just get a better filter for the small tank, if what one or type.
It’s a bog standard Fluval filter type set up, with the green, blue, black sponge and the white cotton foam type bit. (As is the bigger one? Which should be up and running after Christmas, fingers cross)

Any help would be grate.

 

[SJ2K]

If you were to sump the 2 together then yes but be wary, only takes 1 fish in 1 tank to infest everything.

 

[evilchild]

Yeah I can see that being a bit of a problem, I suppose that would work that way if you had fresh water and brackish water to wouldn't it? The reason I’m saying that is I have Corry’s which have no scales and that would irritate them?

 

[SJ2K]

Yeh you couldnt do it if one was brackish and the other not and you could also do it without a sump (filter intake in on tank, output in the other with a return pump connecting the 2). Personly id just have 2 filters but whichever you want can be done.

 

[blue acara]

Yeah don't run a brackish and fresh water tank off of one sump, both tanks would be slightly salty-as the would be connected.
Corys would not appreciate this. I

 

[evilchild]

ok, well thanks for the replys, most useful and saved me a lot of problems. is there any way i can improve the filter or the media some how

 

[calderfisher]

What make/type of filter do you have at the moment on your smaller tank?

CraigM

 

[evilchild]

It’s a bog standard Fluval filter type set up, with the green, blue, black sponge and the white cotton foam type bit

 

[Jules H-T]

Problem with that response evilchild is Fluval make little internal filters that wheeze a tiny trickle of water out, and massive externals that you could filter the Med with. What model Fluval?

Aside from anything else, I can't see how you'd get an "in" and an "out" into both tanks without some pretty costly pipework. You could almost certainly get a Fluval 2 or 3 for less cash than that and have a dedicated filter. As mentioned mixing brackish and fresh is not going to work for obvious reasons.

You could put new media in, ensure the little blue tab is all the way to open, clean the impeller, that's about it. I suggest you're in the market for 2 new filters.

 

[Inchworm]

Can I use one filter to run two tanks?

Hi evilchild

The answer is probably not, but you can use one pump to run two (or more) filters, if you use box filters. This is the basic equipment needed to run one small tank. To run two tanks or multiple filters in one tank, you would most likely need a bigger pump.

After fooling around with more expensive HOB filters for awhile, I've gone back to using this simple, and relatively inexpensive method for all 33 of the tanks I have running currently.

 

[evilchild]

thats cool, thanks. i thake it by using that method it will save on water space, unlike the filter i have that is quite bulky and runs from top to bottom, and also will be able to control how good it is by changin gthe size or add more?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi evilchild

Yes, you could use more than one box filter in a tank, but even one that is filled with floss, can provide a lot of surface area for beneficial bacteria to cling to. More filters will remove more floating particles of debris from the water.

I prefer the Tetra Whisper line of filters, and would recommend one of the bigger ones with two air outlets. This way each tank can be controlled independently.

This is the old fashioned, low teck way, but it works great!

 

[evilchild]

low tec is fine for me less to go wrong!

 

[Tolak]

I have almost the same setup running in my fishroom. 20+ tanks running air driven filtration off of one pump. Sure one large pump is expensive, but when you divide that price between over 20 tanks it ends up being cheaper than buying many small pumps. A large volume of air running box filters actually filters better than the multiple hob filters I used to run, and is much more adjustable.