Filtering a tank on the floor

[BanditAquatic16]

Hi all. I’m about to upgrade my smallest growout tank. Going from a Jewel 110l tank to a custom 50x20x21 tank. It’s the biggest tank I could fit where it’s going. Because it’s going under my 450l tank it’s going to be pretty much on the floor which means I can’t use one of my spare canister filters. I have maybe 6 inches of room above the tank so really an overhead filter is out. I did consider internal filters but I want to keep the tank as open as possible to get the fish to grow as well as they can. I can’t tie it into the sump that will be filtering the 680l and 450l. How would you guys filter this tank? Because I am running out of ideas. I need something powerful as I have a lot of small fish that will grow big in that tank. Cheers!

 

[danotaylor]

Why can’t you use a canister if the tank is on the floor?
Once the canister is primed and running it will work just the same as if it were under the tank.
I had a 40B w a fluval 306 sitting beside the tank; no running issues.
I have a friend that had a 300gal Rubbermaid stock tank w 2 x FX6’s and 2 x 406’s sitting right in the floor next to the stock tank; no running issues.
You could run 3 fluval AC110 HOB’s as an alternative

 

[BanditAquatic16]

Why can’t you use a canister if the tank is on the floor?
Once the canister is primed and running it will work just the same as if it were under the tank.
I had a 40B w a fluval 306 sitting beside the tank; no running issues.
I have a friend that had a 300gal Rubbermaid stock tank w 2 x FX6’s and 2 x 406’s sitting right in the floor next to the stock tank; no running issues.
You could run 3 fluval AC110 HOB’s as an alternative

Ive always had issues running canisters beside my tanks. Mainly issues with my FX6 but tbh I get issues with that a lot. I'll give it a try!

 

[jjohnwm]

Once a canister is sealed and running, it will continue to work even if it is placed above the tank! Just have to ensure that the end of both the intake and outlet hoses are kept below the surface of the water. Kind of silly, though...

You can also install a pump (with a small prefilter of some sort) in the bottom tank, run the outlet up to the top tank, and then set up an overflow there to return the water to the bottom tank. As long as the filtration is adequate for the increased water volume and bioload, this is very simple and very effective. The pump takes up much less space in the bottom tank than an entire fitration system would.

This is also a great way to provide a non-planted tank with the benefits of plant growth. Plants growing in just one or the other tank will provide their beneficial effects to both.