any ideas on if this will work

[smpage]

So my filtration on my 120 gallon is set up kinda dumb but I bought it used so it's not my fault, here's how it's dumb: tube from tank to pump, pump to canister, canister to canister, canister to tank. It works pretty good for the most part (7 pounds of carbon is never a bad thing) the main problem is that the first step from tank to filter is my pump and I have sand in my tank. Anyone who's read the forums, at all, knows that sand and impellers don't mix. my thought is to DIY some form of pre-filter with sponge and some media before loose sand hits the pump. Good idea so far? If yes, continue to read. If no, stop reading and post comment saying so lol.
The idea is to use a small bucket of some kind and drill a hole in the bottom for the inlet, make the lid airtight and drill a hole near the top for the outlet to the pump. Also, put in some brackets for media placement. I think it's a solid idea, kind of like a fluval setup (very loose relation but, still). so, is this a nuts idea or should I just keep replacing burnt out impellers. thanks for all your input!

 

[tank125]

Put the pump at the other end so that it goes: Tank > Canister > Canister > Pump > Tank

 

[DragonKeeper]

Put the pump at the other end so that it goes: Tank > Canister > Canister > Pump > Tank

That would be my suggestion. Or remove canisters and build DIY sump.

 

[Kobeclone]

Put the pump at the other end so that it goes: Tank > Canister > Canister > Pump > Tank

Or justs take the pump off... I see no reason for it

I am assuming the canisters are the same gph rating....

But if you want to keep the pump in its current positioning,your Idea will work fine....at the bottom and the top of the bucket, use a coarse filter pad and you are set.. You could fill the area in between with bio media.

 

[Bud8Fan]

Centrifugal pumps should never be put after canisters. They are designed to push not to pull.

Or justs take the pump off... I see no reason for it

I am assuming the canisters are the same gph rating....

Sounds like he may have something like Ocean Clears that don't have built in pumps.

 

[kumdoalan]

How does the water get out of the tank on it's way to the filters and pump?

 

[Bud8Fan]

Unless your filters are above your tank it's called siphon.

And even if your filters are above your tank when you prime the lines the act of water returning to the tank will draw water up through the inlet lines just through the act of displacement.

If you try to suck water through a canister filter with a centrifugal pump it simply won't work. Try it if you don't believe me. It will cavitate and left on long enough will be ruined.

 

[tank125]

Good point about the pump Bud8Fan. I did not know of a difference, but it makes sense, pumps don't like there intakes to be hindered at all.

Go to a sump first so that you can also add some biological.

or

Have the intake relatively high in the tank.

or

I use Iwaki's and Coralife pumps on sand bottom tanks, they pass the sand no problem. Sure not the best thing for them, but I use Estes sand, kinda light weight.

 

[smpage]

Centrifugal pumps should never be put after canisters. They are designed to push not to pull.



Sounds like he may have something like Ocean Clears that don't have built in pumps.

that is correct, I'm running two ocean clears and they don't have built in pumps/impellers. the pump is a mag drive rated for 1000 gph. I thought about putting the pump at the end but the ocean clear bio ring is super expensive and sand would be rough on it. so based on what's being said so far, I think I'll do the bucket method for now and then work on building a sump. when I'm done, I'll post a picture in this thread for comments and suggestions. thanks a ton guys.

 

[tank125]

Just put a huge intake screen on the intake to spread the suction out. For example, say you had one 1/8th hole for suction, versus 200 1/8th holes, a particle of sand floatin by would be a lot less likely to get sucked up. On my 180 with black sand I split the intake into 2 lines to decrease its suction at point of intake.