Extra Filters

[Ali Day]

Ideas and thoughts required.

I currently have a Rena Filstar XP3 on my 600l 170gal tank
http://www.aquarian.com/cgi-bin/trans.pl/en/products/rena_range/rena_filstar_xp.shtml

My tank is at the maximum range of it's scale, I have 0 nitrogens across the
board and tanks been running for 8 months now.

I'm noticing I'm getting a bit of algae, bit of surface scum, and with the
dead spots rubbish build up. Algae and deadspots I can get rid of, more
plants different water movement, etc.

My question does it give any advantages to over filter the tank water, say
if I put another rena in the tank. Next part can I use the same suction
return lines from the tank, and just T in to the existing lines with a new
filter?

Cheers

A

[NetMax]

"Ali Day" > wrote in message
...
> Ideas and thoughts required.
>
> I currently have a Rena Filstar XP3 on my 600l 170gal tank
> http://www.aquarian.com/cgi-bin/trans.pl/en/products/rena_range/rena_filstar_xp.shtml
>
> My tank is at the maximum range of it's scale, I have 0 nitrogens
> across the
> board and tanks been running for 8 months now.
>
> I'm noticing I'm getting a bit of algae, bit of surface scum, and with
> the
> dead spots rubbish build up. Algae and deadspots I can get rid of, more
> plants different water movement, etc.
>
> My question does it give any advantages to over filter the tank water,
> say
> if I put another rena in the tank. Next part can I use the same suction
> return lines from the tank, and just T in to the existing lines with a
> new
> filter?
>
> Cheers
>
> A


There are several advantages to multiple filters, and for tanks larger
than 70g, I would suggest that it's almost essential. Off the top of my
head... i) you reduce the impact of servicing on the water quality (by
alternating which filter to clean), ii) you reduce the total amount of
servicing done (reducing the wear on the filters), iii) you provide an
important (life-critical) level of redundancy (ie: hose clogs, impeller
breaks etc), iv) you have more flexibility over the pipe locations, but
have twice the pipes ;~), v) you can provide a more uniform circulation
to a large tank (less dead spots, better temperature control), and vi)
you improve the mechanical filtration (more pick up power).

You can tie your 2 intakes to a single strainer, however this is risky
with planted tanks. Think of it like this, if you double the flow
through a single opening, you quadruple the chances of it's getting
clogged, and overall significantly reduce your operating reliability to
less than what you had with only one filter. Why are you trying to
reduce the number of pipes? Hiding the plumbing is a chore, we all
develop into artwork ;~). Seriously, with multiple filters, it can be
nice to have your intakes at different locations. I use rockwork to hide
my intakes, right up to the surface.

If you still want to use a single pipe, then have it run down into the
substrate to a 90 degree turn towards the front of the tank, and
terminate it into a large strainer you can keep an eye on (for a good
idea on a large strainer, look at what is used on the Marineland Emperor
400). Put a flat stone to hide the strainer popping out of the
substrate, so that a casual inspection would not reveal it (leave it in
the shadows or blocked from forward viewing). Looking at the tank from
the edge will let you see if it needs cleaning, and in this location, it
will be easier to clean, pick up less live leaves, and do a better job at
mechanical filtration anyways. hth
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Ali Day]

> You can tie your 2 intakes to a single strainer, however this is risky
> with planted tanks. Think of it like this, if you double the flow
> through a single opening, you quadruple the chances of it's getting
> clogged, and overall significantly reduce your operating reliability to
> less than what you had with only one filter. Why are you trying to
> reduce the number of pipes?

Cheers for all that much appreciated. The more pipes means more things
protruding into the water, which I'm not keen on, what with two heater, two
pumps a CO2 injection system, the pH moniter. and the return from the
filter, makes me wonder sometimes if I'm admiring the fish or my handywork
at putting all this together. To over come the solids getting stuck in the
filter I got a 18"x 8" x 8" plastic box that I siliconed into the corner of
the tank. then I put a weir in it, to act like a pre-filter as they do in
sewage treatment works, so when I do the water change, I just stick the hose
in the box and it sucks all the crap out.

I'll get a new filter after pay day.

cheers

A