The combination of fuge and canister

[gdwb10101]

I was sitting down thinking after getting my wisdom teeth removed today (Not the greatest experience) and was wondering whether i could somehow use my canister filter (which is now empty and acts as flow and increased water capacity).

I was thinking that I could use the water drawn from the tank into the canister by the impeller. Then the water would be driven up, in the refugium, which would sit above it. It would go through the fuge and then an external pump would pump it back into the tank.

When the power goes out, since the water is drawn in by canister which is powered fails, the levels should stay the same or no? This is my primary source of concern. I guess the only problem that I would have is that the water that is going from the canister into the fuge will be brought down by gravity and extra water will be in the main tank. But shouldn't that be avoided if i keep the intake tube to the refugium high? Its probably hard to understand, so ill try to add a drawing later.

PLEASE if you know anything about plumbing or the possibility of this working or failing miserably, give your thoughts. Thanks a million.

Jarod (55g, 24g, wisdom tooth patient)

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...0_2.jpg&refPag

I wanted to repost this in the tech section, because i think it is a more technologically based question rather than general question. If the pic doesn't work, refer to general posting.

[harif87]

To prevent a siphon from happening on the intake side i suggest you use an overflow box since it has measures to protect you from extra water flowing to the fuge during a power outage. Also dont overlook the output pipe. Once the power goes out the water will fall down the pipe dragging the tank water with it causing a siphon over there as well. Thats why i suggest you drill holes at the very end of the pipe (the part thats in the display tank) to break the siphon once the waterline goes below the holes. Good luck with your project

[gdwb10101]

In my drawing, which isn't really good, I have drill holes in the intake and outake of the main tank, is this what your talking about? So instead, you suggest to replace the intake tube that came with the canister with a continuous siphon overflow and drill holes in the outake pipe from the the fuge? Basically it will be like the setup of every other fuge except for the fact that there will be a canister filter attatched? Do you think that there will be any problems because of the extra attatchment?

I would like to consolidate the canister in the fuge system so that there are less pipes coming from and leaving the tank. Purely aesthetic reasons I guess. It will also be unique.

[harif87]

Your tank is already drilled? Sorry its a little hard understanding these confusing things online lol. Do oyu have any pics of your current setup? That would make it easy as 123 if we could see how it already is.

What i was saying was to have a typical setup but with a canister filter. (The canister isnt really neccessary, was just trying to work around what you wanted ). Also your going to have to make sure that the output of your canister filter and the output of your return pump are rated for the same gph. Otherwise youll see problems.

[gdwb10101]

Sorry, my tank isn't drilled and no i don't have a camera with my and have no pictures of my current setup. The canister filter I have is a cascade 1200 which is rated for 315 gph. So the return pump would have to do about 400 gph at least correct? Because it has to move upabout 2'.

I know wouldn't it be much easier is I could keep it simpler? But no, I need to be difficult

[harif87]

Lol, i love being difficult its so much more fun lol. Anyways, what i was saying was to drill holes about a half an inch from the surface under, on both sides, and keep both the intake and the output pipes hanging close to the surface. Also about the pump there should be a chart somewhere that tells you the flow rate at certain heights. Get the one that is closest to 315 gph.