Retasking an unused canister filter as a gravel vac?

[Goanna]

Anyone ever use a smaller canister filter just as a gravel vacuum?

I'm upgrading my marineland C-220 to a C-360 soon, and as of now I have no other use so far for the 220, so I was thinking about just filling it with a bunch of foam pads (and maybe a big bag of purigen also to remove toxins and clarify the water), and using it just as a gravel vacuum (At least until I figure out where to squeeze another tank to use the 220 on, lol).

My Brackish tank gets a lot of dirt on the bottom. I tend to put extra food in to make sure the bottom dwellers get to it before the archers, monos and scats devour everything, and then I wind up siphoning out the leftovers with a bunch of water, or trying to use a net without uprooting plants and disturbing fish too much.

Would 220 GPH be too fast a flow for a gravel vac? Would it wind up sucking up substrate? If so I could get the 24" tall python extension tube (which I planned on getting anyway since I have a deep tank).

Basically, I'd be making my own version of this. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15484. Just wanted to see if others have attempted this same thing, and if so how were the results?

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

I don't know...sounds like it would work to me...and sounds like a great idea.

I want to input on the C360. First thing I suggest you do is email Marineland and give them the number under one of the handles and ask them if it's the new version of that pump. There is a huge problem going around with that thing leaking...that is what I did with the one I bought. They sent out a replacement head assembly and the valve assembly as well...didn't ask for the old one back either. So far I haven't had any problems with any leaks at all. But I've got the replacement standing by if I do. I'd also suggest you hard plumb it into your tank and drill small siphon breaks right below your normal water line just in case. It would be nice to only lose a gallon or two of water in your floor...would suck to lose a half a tank.

I think if you took your current pump and hooked it to a gravel vac tube...it would work fine. The Marineland pumps don't have a lot of pressure...just flow...or mine does. I think it would work. You could always put a valve inline OR use the valve built into the pump to slow down the water flow to where it would actually clean the gravel.

You've give me a great idea...I appreciate it. Try it and let us know how it turns out..I think you'll be pleased.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Oh, and I was referring to the C360 and not your current pump...about the leaks.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Not having a spare canister, but wanting the benefits of the Dr.F&S vac system, I built the above.
With all tubing and filter, I`m guessing my flow is around 400gph.
This thing works like a champ. I use the return flow to sweep my tank, blowing loose all the gunk from around, and in, my rock work. Once in the water column, I move the suction around to suck it all away.
I tried it as a conventual vac, using various size tubes, and was not happy with the results.
What works the best for me when deep cleaning the gravel, is to place the return in a fixed location. Use something to stir the gravel, while hovering the suction over the area being stirred.
Absolutely love being able to completely clean my tank, without having to watch my water levels.
All that said, I see no reason why your idea should not work. Maybe not to your expectations on the first try, but with some experimentation it should do the job for you.
When you get it working...lets see some pics.
Good Luck.

 

[Goanna]

I don't know...sounds like it would work to me...and sounds like a great idea.

I want to input on the C360. First thing I suggest you do is email Marineland and give them the number under one of the handles and ask them if it's the new version of that pump. There is a huge problem going around with that thing leaking...that is what I did with the one I bought. They sent out a replacement head assembly and the valve assembly as well...didn't ask for the old one back either. So far I haven't had any problems with any leaks at all. But I've got the replacement standing by if I do. I'd also suggest you hard plumb it into your tank and drill small siphon breaks right below your normal water line just in case. It would be nice to only lose a gallon or two of water in your floor...would suck to lose a half a tank.

I think if you took your current pump and hooked it to a gravel vac tube...it would work fine. The Marineland pumps don't have a lot of pressure...just flow...or mine does. I think it would work. You could always put a valve inline OR use the valve built into the pump to slow down the water flow to where it would actually clean the gravel.

You've give me a great idea...I appreciate it. Try it and let us know how it turns out..I think you'll be pleased.

Good to know. I should have the C-360 on Wednesday, so I will email Marineland with the serial number to find out. The C-220 has worked very well for me, no leaks or any problems at all, so I am hoping the 360 will be the same.

Not having a spare canister, but wanting the benefits of the Dr.F&S vac system, I built the above.
With all tubing and filter, I`m guessing my flow is around 400gph.
This thing works like a champ. I use the return flow to sweep my tank, blowing loose all the gunk from around, and in, my rock work. Once in the water column, I move the suction around to suck it all away.
I tried it as a conventual vac, using various size tubes, and was not happy with the results.
What works the best for me when deep cleaning the gravel, is to place the return in a fixed location. Use something to stir the gravel, while hovering the suction over the area being stirred.
Absolutely love being able to completely clean my tank, without having to watch my water levels.
All that said, I see no reason why your idea should not work. Maybe not to your expectations on the first try, but with some experimentation it should do the job for you.
When you get it working...lets see some pics.
Good Luck.

Nice DIY system. I would guess you use it on multiple tanks? If so, do you drain it completely and/or change all pads using it between tanks? I have two brackish tanks, both around the same salinity. I have no issues with each, but on the off chance there was some kind of sickness developing in one of them I wouldn't want to spread it to the other.

There's a cheap ($40) UV sterilizer for sale on eBay, I was thinking about maybe adding one of them to the gravel vac system on the return. Or, Maybe I could rig up some kind of melafix injector system as a preventative, lol.

 

[Goanna]

Just an update, I got my new canister today (A JBJ Reaction 4 Stage filter with UV) and I cleaned out the C-220 and loaded it with just foam pads, coarse and fine.

I was able to take my Python apart, and fit the tubing from canister filter onto the barb on the Python. I used the return from the JBJ filter, and I was up and running in a couple of minutes with no leaks .

Primed the filter using the prime pump on the canister (which works pretty good I must say, two presses and a strong syphon was started), plugged the filter in and I started vacuuming the gravel. It was just as strong, if not stronger then doing a syphon traditionally, and I was able to clean the entire tank without having to worry about water levels. I was also able to scrape algea of branches and glass and suck it right up as I went.

So, if you any of guys have canisters with 5/8th inch tubing that you arent using, you might want to try this. It seems to work very well .

 

[swede]

isn't it kind of a waste of a good canister though?

 

[Goanna]

isn't it kind of a waste of a good canister though?

I don't have another tank to use it on at the moment, so no. But if I get another tank in the future I can always just set it back up as a regular canister and go back to traditional siphoning/water changes.

 

[JK47]

I don't have another tank to use it on at the moment, so no. But if I get another tank in the future I can always just set it back up as a regular canister and go back to traditional siphoning/water changes.

Rock out! I am with you on this. Toyed with many designs but in the end a good mech filter your not using SHOULD be used to keep all your tanks clean or it's just dry and useless........ Foam block and an 802 powerhead have found it's way in my tanks many 'O' tanks for me.

 

[jschall]

I don't have another tank

Obvious problem is obvious.
The solution is simple. You know what to do.