need advice on filtering - under pressure.

[RobertR]

I am purchasing an Iwaki pump to circulate water from my 1st floor to the basement where I am setting up water conditioning/treatment for my 90 gallon marine tank. I use to use, and still have, 2 Magnum 350's under the tank in the cabinet. When I moved them to the basement, the pressure ~ 6-7 psi, causes them to leak - no surprise.

I am looking for a substitute product that provides for the ability to use various media from a micron filter, to carbon, x-phosphate, x-nitrate etc...and will withstand the pressure.

I am setting up a wet/dry filtering system, in combination with a protien skimmer (from some years ago when I attempted to start a reef tank) plus multiple filtering canisters that will provide options for addressing any issues, including clarity. I'll be adding a UV sterilizer. I also have a 20 gal, polyethyelene water change tank I've added in the basement that allows me to pre-mix saltwater, add it into the system, let it mix, take it offline and drain. Obviously, the size of the water treatment setup is approaching twice the size of the tank and stand!

I don't believe in overkill when it comes to trying to keep the water in A1 condition - based on past experience.

So....are there any products out there, home or commercial, that you know of that I might use inline with this setup. I am plumbing like crazy and I'll tackle anything.

Thanks for any help you can provide...

[AquariumPro]

Hi:

No canister filter with a built-in motor will be able to handle that pressure, Magnum, Eheims, Fluvals, etc.

You will need to use in-line filter modules such as Rainbow Lifegard modules. Forexamples, click on the Filtration link on this page, then select Filters, then Modular Filters.

You can string several modules together.

[RobertR]

Thank-you! I ordered and received a couple of canisters and I am delighted with their construction.

Robert. . .

[AquariumPro]

I know. We use them in our installations. Very easy to service.

Stay in touch. We're looking for good moderators by the way if you're interested.

[RobertR]

As I said, I have the Iwaki Pump and canister filters all working. As I have created my water treatment plant in the basement it has undergone an evolutionary path (all my plans got tossed out as I learned about new equipment). I ended up having the water coming from the aquarium split with some going to a wet dry and some going through the canisters, then the pump returns the water. A benefit of this is that the most of the system in the basement is at almost no pressure because the pump is sucking water through it, lowering the pressure. This minimizes leak potential. Only the return line is under pressure. BUT....it seems that the documentation I have looked suggests I should be pushing the water through the canisters.

Is there any preference? Any particular reason? I am about to add in the RO Maxima Hi-S unit and a UV canister I recently ordered so this would be the time to change....

Re: Moderator....once I re-learn/learn a bit more (picking up after not having tanks for about 7 years - new stuff and I am having fun doing research) I might be interested. I do travel occasionally (business) and that might delay a reponse by a day or two, once in a while.

[RobertR]

As I said, I have the Iwaki Pump and canister filters all working. As I have created my water treatment plant in the basement it has undergone an evolutionary path (all my plans got tossed out as I learned about new equipment). I ended up having the water coming from the aquarium split with some going to a wet dry and some going through the canisters, then the pump returns the water. A benefit of this is that the most of the system in the basement is at almost no pressure because the pump is sucking water through it, lowering the pressure. This minimizes leak potential. Only the return line is under pressure. BUT....it seems that the documentation I have looked suggests I should be pushing the water through the canisters.

Is there any preference? Any particular reason? I am about to add in the RO Maxima Hi-S unit and a UV canister I recently ordered so this would be the time to change....

Re: Moderator....once I re-learn/learn a bit more (picking up after not having tanks for about 7 years - new stuff and I am having fun doing research) I might be interested. I do travel occasionally (business) and that might delay a reponse by a day or two, once in a while.

[AquariumPro]

Whoops!

If you pull water through a canister rather than pushing water through them, you will burn out your pump very quickly. You should never have resistance on the intake side of a pump.

I can understand why you did it that way (two loops), but you would be better off to pull the water from the tank right into the pump, then send it through the canisters and then the UV. Your pump will thank you!

Moderators only need check forums at least once a week. We can use any one who can get involved, even on a part-time basis. You sound like you know quite a bit already!

[RobertR]

Well the pump is a lot happier and MUCH, MUCH quieter now that I am pushing, not pulling... Thanks for the info. Also the directions on the Life Guard UV unit were help.

But I ran in to another problem, probably a newbie thing with UV units. It works great....kills everything in the water. But duh...that also placed an enormous amount of decaying matter in the tank overnight. I was having the brown diatom problem (since fixed with the Hi-s/Ro water unit and silicate absorber) and I suspect there were zillions of dead diatoms - suddenly - along with a massive bacteria and other algae kill.

The ammonia spiked immediately and I lost 2 hawkfish. Sad way to learn, but I have recovered...

A web search revealed that this is a problem that others have encountered so live and learn!

Thanks again!