Two External Filters - One Intake?

[jonny]

Guys,

I posted this question in another area but feel it may be better suited here.

I am planning on adding a second external filter to my 200l tank that is quite heavily stocked.

I was just wondering if it is possible to have both filters connected to the same intake and outlet? I am trying to avoid having too much equiptment hanging in the tank.

Thanks

Jon

 

[cheesy feet]

I would imagine you would have to get like a V shaped connector of some sought.I've never seen them for filters hoses though.

 

[Robotochan]

Yes you can using T Connectors such as this one http/strictlypetsupplies.com/_015561206815.html however I would suggest using bigger equipment going into the tank. for example having 16mm pipes going into the tank with the 2 filters having 12mm. You would need reducers for this of course

 

[T1KARMANN]

the return pipe will work fine you will just have to have a T that goes from say 12mm at the T and 16mm when it comes off the T and back into the tank

the input pipes will be a bit more tricky you will need some kind of flow adjuster on both of the pipes when the come off the T or 1 filter will run dry as it wont be getting enought water

 

[Rooster]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me....

 

[cheesy feet]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me....

Most things to do with DIY and fish tanks are

 

[raptorrex]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me....

I'm with Rooster. you will need to have perfect pressure balance between the two filters, or water from the more powerful filter will be forced back up both pipes on the less powerful one. a none return valve will be no good, as the pressure from the more powerful pump will shut off the water from the other. even if you have the same pump on both filters, pipe length, junction points and any build up of any kind in the pipes will alter the balance, causing problems.

 

[jgray152]

You will have to play with output flow adjustment. I would reccomend possibly getting flow meters, cheap and easy to install from the looks of them. Then you can adjust the flow of each to be equal.

Although, on another note, I don't believe the water flow from the most powerfull one will be pushed through the other less powerfull filter since the flow takes the path of the least resistance and that is going into the larger tube and into the tank. So the pressure WILL drop from the more powerfull filter smll tube when it goes into the bigger tube so I really don't think you will have an issue as long as you size it right.

 

[raptorrex]

You will have to play with output flow adjustment. I would reccomend possibly getting flow meters, cheap and easy to install from the looks of them. Then you can adjust the flow of each to be equal.

Although, on another note, I don't believe the water flow from the most powerfull one will be pushed through the other less powerfull filter since the flow takes the path of the least resistance and that is going into the larger tube and into the tank. So the pressure WILL drop from the more powerfull filter smll tube when it goes into the bigger tube so I really don't think you will have an issue as long as you size it right.

sadly it will, physics is physics. reducing or increasing the pipe size does not adjust water pressure, it increases or decreases water speed. the pressure will remain the same. as you say the water will take the course of least resistance, unless you have an empty pipe, it will flow up the pipe with the lesser pressure, and that would be the one with the lower pump output. though you may be able to sort something if you can keep the filter above the tanks water level, using as opposed to fighting gravity. there may even be some commercial solution for this. lol anyone who has tried to connect a mixer tap to a hose to attain a specific temperature, will testify to the fact that, without any form of restriction, the water is forced back up the hot pipe, possibly causing an overflow, with all the disasters that can bring.

 

[jgray152]

Each filter is designed to have more pressure than the head pressure that you have at the end of the hose. So the pressure from the low output filter will still superceed any possible backflow from the more powerful filter since both are designed to superceed head pressure. The head pressure being the lowest pressure of all 3.

Thinking of it more, the head pressure is always the same so I suppose the pressure may not change. Now plugging one end will build up the pressure and the highest pressure will always be the highest pressure weather its in small tubing or large tubing so I agree with you there.

The only area I have a slight disagreement in is that the high output filter will flow into the low output filter which is the 2nd lowest pressure point. The first lowest pressure point being the head pressure.

 

[the biffster]

i used to run a fluval 304 and a eheim together from the tank to the fluval from fluval to eheim back to tank both filters running one with bio balls and ceramics and the other with filter floss and nitrasorb
it works spot on




biff

 

[Behold]

the intake will surly be no issue as long as you over size the inlet.

the out take if made large enough will allow for release. if you not using the filters as a spray bar etc and have something else to airate the water then let it just flow in.

 

[The-Wolf]

provided they are the exact same filter you can run them in sequence.

from tank to in of pump 1, out pump 1 into in of pump 2
out of pump 2, to tank.

I have personally done this until I upgraded the filters and it works a treat

 

[jgray152]

Damn, this whole time I thought this thread was about one OUTPUT, not intake!

Don't know what the hell I was thinking when I reread the title over and over again.....grrr.

Boboboy, where you thining the same thing?

 

[raptorrex]

Damn, this whole time I thought this thread was about one OUTPUT, not intake!

Don't know what the hell I was thinking when I reread the title over and over again.....grrr.

Boboboy, where you thining the same thing?

indeed i was. the reason being:

jonny
I was just wondering if it is possible to have both filters connected to the same intake and outlet?

behold
the out take if made large enough will allow for release.

surely it the outlet pipe i made larger, this would cause more problems, as externals are often placed below the tank. would a larger bore pipe not require a disproportionate increase in pump power to maintain the same flow, even if you had two pumps? though i can see it would work a treat if the filter were above water level.
actually i am with wolf on this, providing the filters are identical, even so if one is significantly older than the other, there still may be problems. i am though very interested in the outcome!