Equipment & Supplies • general canister question...

[kerbchek]

Right now I'm in the process of drawing up plans for expanding my fish room - I'm trying to figure out how to design the racks to most efficently hold the tanks I'd like to own (or some I already own). I'm also thinking how I can incorporate filtration - and I've made no official decisions about sumps, canisters, HOBs, sponges... but I do have a couple of canisters, and would like some more... but am not real familiar with them...

... is there a "gravity" aspect to their operation... in other words, does the canister HAVE to be placed below the tank it is filtering, or can it sit right next to that tank. I have no operation manuals as all of the canisters I own were garage sale or craigslist finds... I'm really loving the Magnum 350 I stumbled across recently though...

thanks,
Kerby

[bentcountershaft]

Yeah, they have to be below the tank to work, or at least everyone I've had. Gravity brings the water in and the pump is for the return only. It isn't designed to create a vacuum to bring the water up to it and will burn the pump up pretty quickly.

[HONDO]

yep, the top of the filter needs to be below the bottom of the aquarium.

[kerbchek]

Ok, that makes sense... I just wanted to make sure as one plan I've devised leaves extra space on top, but not at the bottom for canisters to sit, that design idea may be scrapped...

but this one should be ok, right?


Thanks,

Kerby

[Deeda]

The top of the canister filter usually needs to be located below the water level of the tank. The hoses from the canister should go relatively straight UP with no dips or loops.