Lifegard Aquatics Mechanical Filter set up.

[epond83]

I'm going to be setting up a FX5 plumbed with PVC. Part of the the outflowing water will be sent through a UV.

I want to set up a Lifeguard Aquatics Mechanical Filter with a 20 micron filter in it. Can this also be hooked up to part of the outflow or does this need a seperate pump? I'm hoping to have one in and out pipe for the tank and just have manifolds and ball valves to redirect water.

I'm looking for some sort of polisher. Doesn't need to geet the water supper clear just something with a finer mesh then the FX5. Something that i can clean quick and easy so i can leave the FX5 alone fore longer. I want to minimize stuff going in and out of the tank cause this is for a turtle who like mess with stuff.

 

[epond83]

Or maybe something like the Nu-Clear 530 Modular Canister Filters.

I'm just rying to figure out if the FX5 can have flow diverted into something like this, or if i need a seprate pump. And if i need a seprate pump can the share an input outout by using a tee or wye under the tank.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Couple of things to consider.
Water will flow in a “path of least resistance”.
Tee off of the FX return into an open line and one going to the added filtration would need valving forcing the return flow through the new filter. You would be slowing the open line in order for the diversion to take place.
Less flow.
If you can live with the overall flow reduction and fussing with a valve, your idea would work.
For best results, a separate, inline pump would give you the most benefit.

 

[epond83]

Yeah the more i think about it, it does make more since to run a seperate pump.

 

[knobhill]

I don't think the fx5 was designed to push water. Lifeguard filters/uv require a pump put before it.

Another route would be to plumb a uv on the fx5 return line (won't reduce the flow too much) and put some type of in-tank prefilter on the fx5 intake???

of course, the more filtration, the better