Canister filters connected in series?

[Russ]

I have a 75gallon that has good water quality (ammonia zero, etc.), but there is some particulate matter in the water. It is filtered with a Fluval 405, which is pretty trouble free, but with the addition of some rainbows, the water isn't as clear as it has been in the past. I'm sure the filter is functioning properly.

Has anyone experimented with running canister filters in series? That is: connect the output of one into the input of another and use as usual, otherwise? I'd fill the first with floss and the second with bio media.

Is this hair brained or what?

-Russ

 

[Gerryd]

Hey Russ,

I haven't done it with canisters that have their own pump, but many have done it with the Ocean Clear or Nu-clear canister filters that requre an EXTERNAL pump.

I would just add another Fluval canister and maybe place it on the other end of the tank. Issue with running in series, is that the first cansiter clogs and the second stays clean.......Your second filled with bio-media will get less and less flow as the primary (first) filter gets dirty.

Some folks who use the OC or NC canisters run them in parallel so this is less of an issue.

Rainbows are big eaters so they will produce a good amount of waste products.

 

[Russ]

I would just add another Fluval canister and maybe place it on the other end of the tank. Issue with running in series, is that the first cansiter clogs and the second stays clean.......Your second filled with bio-media will get less and less flow as the primary (first) filter gets dirty.

Yup. That makes sense. I was just trying to avoid more tubes, hoses, etc., but what you say is well taken.

Thanks for the comment.