Canister Filter In/Out Hoses? Also, In-line heater angle?

[phnxgrndd]

I am setting up my first canister filter and want to make sure I am not doing so incorrectly. The filter is going to be running on a 75 gallon planted tank and has a DIY co2 reactor on the input hose and an in-line heater on the out. By looking at the attached pictures should the way I ran the input hose with the reactor be ok? Also, my in-line heater is at a bit of an angle, is that ok? Or is it necessary to get it completely vertical?

Thanks for your help.

 

[the_deeb]

Physical setup seems fine. You don't have to worry about the heater being at an angle. I'd stick some sort of hose clamp onto your CO2 reactor connection to reduce the chance of it accidentally popping off and making a mess.

I've never run CO2 on a tank, but don't most people place the reactor on the output of the canister? Since the nitrifying bacteria in your canister are aerobic, I would think it wouldn't be beneficial to add excess CO2 into your canister.

 

[phnxgrndd]

Thanks, for your input. All the hoses are just roughed in. I plan on putting hose clamps on the reactor

You make a good point about the BB. I did a bit of research about where to put the reactor and there didn't seem consensus about which is better/worse. I will have to dig some more before I start everything up.

Side note, It is a TOTAL PAIN to try to remove hoses from the inlet/outlets on an Eheim Pro II. As hard as I tried i couldn't get them off. Ended up cutting them off.

 

[deeda]

I prefer to install the Hydor ETH heater as vertical as possible to prevent any chance of air pockets from forming inside the heater. Where does the output line enter your tank - from the bottom or top?

If you heat the hose up with warm to hot tap water, the hoses are much easier to remove.

 

[phnxgrndd]

My output line enters my tank from the top. It would be no problem for me to move the heater over so that its completely vertical. I was just trying to keep my spray bar as far to the left as possible, not a big deal though.

 

[deeda]

I use either a J-shaped shower curtain hook or an artfully bent piece of coat hanger to suspend my heater from the tank rim. This keeps the heater vertical and reduces the 'strain' on the hoses & fittings.