caiman filtration

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punkshok

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2006
50
0
0
Connecticut
Hey guys, have a quick question for anyone who would be willing to help...

I have been tooling around with different types of filtration for my caiman tank and have run into problems with a number of different designs. I was looking into a canister filter but am worried that the fact that the tank wont be completely full would ruin what the canister filter could do.... It is a 150 for a small(baby) caiman and it is only filled about 8 or so inches at the deepest. This means that there is over a foot most likely between the top of the glass and the water level. I wanted an fx5 but the manual I was looking at online said that the water level shouldnt fall below 4 inches from the U at the top of the glass... Does any one know if it would work anyways or have any suggestions on what I could use instead?
 
a canister might have an issue with pulling water from so low!
maybe you can raise the water level?
or tryout the fx5
 
I would think the only solution for you is an internal filter. Unfortunately they usually don't flow too much, so I would pick up two or three of the biggest ones you can find, which will probably be around 200 gph each.
 
Any possibility of drilling a hole in the tank? If you can drill a hole at the water level, or just below, you can install a bulkhead, and attach the drain hose from the canister filter to it. That way its not trying to suck water from the bottom of the tank over the lip. Then the return can just hang over the lip of the tank.
 
I run an FX5 at half water level with no problem.
 
for my caiman enclosure i doin canisters installed under the floor. build is in my sig.

type, sex and pics of ur caiman?
 
sorry, dont have much time right now, ill come back on later to answer some of the querstions, SimonL can u let me know what dimensions your tank is? If it works and our tanks are comparable I will probly try that, I dont think drilling with my tank is possible.
 
I think the best route is to drill it, however, you should be able to put in a peice of plexiglass and use a hang on filter just try to keep it back near the end, should probably only loose 4inches on the total lenght of the tank might be a good solution for the temporary home, you can probably fit an emperor 400 or a big aquaclear in that span (width of the tank)
good luck
keep us posted and show some pics
 
Simon has a custom built enclosure. 6' by 4' by 2' tall if i remember correct. plus an additional piece sitting on top.
 
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