Side by Side Canister Filter Setup

[Bengalcats888]

Hi,

Does it work? Can it be done?
Placing canister filter same height as
the tank? Both filter and tank on the ground. Fluval FX6. For in case of emergency setup.

CA earthquakes... :-(

 

[deeda]

I have seen one person personally install a Fluval FX5 on the floor next to his 125G tank also on the floor and he said it worked OK. It was more difficult to prime for him, even when he shortened the hoses so there was no excess hose to the tank from the filter.

Since you are in an earthquake area, maybe just strap the stand to the wall?

Most if not all canister filter instructions recommend installing the canister below the tank water level, some even have a required minimum installation height for best operation.

 

[Bengalcats888]

Yes, the cans are designed to be gravity fed.
Just trying to reuse what I already have.

 

[Galantspeedz]

Works for me

 

[Oughtsix]

Canister filters are closed loop balanced pressure systems. Gravity can make them easier to prime but once primed gravity is pretty much out of the equation.

With the same hoses you can put the canister 5 feet under the tank, 5 feet above the tank or at the tank level and it won't make any real difference in how the filter runs.