DIY Canister Filter, new idea

Danwise

Danwise

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Jan 21, 2010
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Hey guys, I've been reading over the threads for the DIY canister filters, and majority of them use a pump inside the canister. Now, I'm no engineer, but little ideas in my head floating around brought out this...

Would it be possible to use a powerhead to pump water directly from the tank, into the canister (at the bottom) forcing the water up, through the filter media, and out the top - back into the tank.

image-44ED_4B6A12BB.jpg


I haven't had any experience with canisters, water pressure etc.. so if this is completely flawed, be nice :newbie: .. hehe!
 
The one thing I see on your drawing you may want to reconsider is using siphon gravity to bring the water to the canister and have the pump move water out of the canister back to the tank, as it will save energy and power. Otherwise the pump has to work twice as hard. You may also want to put more brown water in your tank....:grinno:
 
I agree with gunner. Just make sure your pump has enough flow at whatever head (height above the top of the filter that you need to pump the water) you're planning to keep it at. Otherwise you might end up underpowered. I don't know if powerheads have that info available, but it might not be a bad thing to check out.

P.S. Is brown water the first step in a blackwater Amazon biotope?
 
Will it work? Absolutely. The only reason you don't see it more often is for aestetic reasons. But this is exactly how alot of pond filters are set up. This is also a way I prime some of my canisters with a spare powerhead.

I don't think the pressure differntial would be any different than if it was mounted in the canister itself.
 
For safety reasons, you're better off having a powerhead pump water into the tank, and flow into the canister through a siphon.
 
The pump WOULD work harder to pump into the canister. Using a syphon is better. Further, most powerheads lack the flow needed to do this job effectively. They are not designed with back pressure from the filter in mind.
 
CWO4GUNNER said:
The one thing I see on your drawing you may want to reconsider is using siphon gravity to bring the water to the canister and have the pump move water out of the canister back to the tank, as it will save energy and power. Otherwise the pump has to work twice as hard. You may also want to put more brown water in your tank....:grinno:
Click to expand...

ok, well i did consider that option, but i want to utilize the canister space for filter media - I currently have a 5' 480 litre using a power head into an over top trickle filter and no problems with water supply..

More brown water? :nutkick:
 
tekonus said:
Something goes wrong you still have a pump pulling water OUT of your tank... and possibly onto your floor.
Click to expand...

truueeee, but that could be the same case for anything - right?

Sure... out of the box would have a smaller risk of leaking/breaking/exploding BUT wheres the fun in that ;)
 
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