Fx6 additional in line pre filter ideas

[Pumpypants]

First of all, first post, long time lurker.

Happy New year to you all.

A bit about my setup first 5x2x2 setup for 15 peacocks and haps and recently purchased a fluval fx6, this I am regretting as I'm thinking now I should have probably sumped this tank, especially as I have the space underneath but hey ho.

Here's the thing.
I have 3 thoughts.
I'm wanting a lot more bio capacity without adding another powered filter.

First plan is to leave the existing fx6 in place, except run the inlet into a primary in line filter first, something like a quality, airtight 25litre sized prefilter first and then running the outlet to the fx6 do any members have any ideas or experience on this ?

Secondly install a sump with overflow, alongside the fx6, put the inlet for the fx6 where the pump would normally run.

Thirdly sell the fx6 and install a sump as I should have probably done in the first place.

I honestly thought the fx6 would have been enough for this sized tank - experience tells me otherwise.

They are a messy lot to be fair this group of 15 haps and peacocks.

 

[Tobiassorensen]

Why not run the tank with a sump for biomedia and the fx6 for mechanical filtering? Thats how i run one tank and the water is top notch with hardly any particles in the water. I use a hang on overflowbox from tunze and im really happy with it. This tank is 160x60x70cm so about 700L and i have a 120L sump filled with about 80-90L with a small moving bed section and a mediabag filled with ceramic rings and bioballs. I the run a eheim 2262 for mechanical filtration and a big sunsun filter with the outlet in a planterbox with lecapebbles and monstera growing in it.

 

[TheWolfman]

I run a prefilter on one of my canisters that works as a surface skimmer that I change out the floss on a few times a week. It keeps the inside of the canister really clean. Honestly every time I brake that one down it’s not even dirty.

 

[TexasMFK31]

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07K798...olid=27BPIKKUVW5A0&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It's on my list of things to add for a canister for myself.

 

[islandguy11]

I run a prefilter on one of my canisters that works as a surface skimmer that I change out the floss on a few times a week. It keeps the inside of the canister really clean. Honestly every time I brake that one down it’s not even dirty.

Do you have a pic of this set-up? Does the pre-filter have it's own pump or just running off the power of the canister? If latter is flow rate still ok?

 

[islandguy11]

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07K798...olid=27BPIKKUVW5A0&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It's on my list of things to add for a canister for myself.

I recently installed that same Sunsun HW-603 pre-filter connected to a Sunsun 704a canister filter -- it seems to be working well but one thing: for all I tried I just couldn't get this combo primed (both were new -- perhaps I should have gotten the 704a primed first by itself, then added the 603a afterwards).

Anyway what I had to do (and I know this generally isn't good practice) was add a powerhead pump to feed the pre-filter and then it primed up no problem. However, when I took off the powerhead the flow rate was terrible, so I put it back it on. Flow rate is good now, no crazy sounds coming from either of the filters and the 704a isn't getting hot or being overworked. At the slightest hint of any leaking I'll change the system but it seems to be working well for now.

I really wish SunSun or somebody else would make a bigger version of this pre-filter (and with larger in/out connectors that don't necessitate stepping down to a smaller hose).



Sonic pump on the left is feeding pre-filter & canister.

 

[TheWolfman]

Do you have a pic of this set-up? Does the pre-filter have it's own pump or just running off the power of the canister? If latter is flow rate still ok?

I just installed some pvc to face the intake up and then have a aquaclear powerhead filter stuffed on top of the intake. I just use some filter instead of their prefilter. It’s easy to slide the lid foward and change out the floss. Flow is just as good as it was before.

 

[islandguy11]

I just installed some pvc to face the intake up and then have a aquaclear powerhead filter stuffed on top of the intake. I just use some filter instead of their prefilter. It’s easy to slide the lid foward and change out the floss. Flow is just as good as it was before.
View attachment 1352326

Nice idea, I have plenty of those same powerhead pre-filters laying about but never really thought to use one as a surface skimmer (and can't on this particular tank as I'm trying to keep all the hardware out of the Aro's swim zone).

 

[TheWolfman]

You could still use it just not as a skimmer. The only thing is your going to get wet changing it out.