2 Filters for every tank?

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#1
May 17, 2006
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#1
I'm just wondering...is it possible (or even recommended) to run one BIG filter (likely cannister, I'd say) for two small tanks.

For instance...

Would it be possible to hook up an Eheim 2215/2217 to filter two 10g tanks?

I know a couple of major cons for this would be a) less gph per tank (hence the overkill on the type of filter) and b) the two tanks would inevitably be sharing the EXACT same water...which could lead to problems if a fish in one tank gets sick.

However, instead of two filters to maintain, it would only be one. And only one sucking hydro. And only one making noise. And only one to find room for. And so on.

Thoughts?
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#2
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
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Jacksonville, FL
#2
You could do it but you would have to put flow control valves on both inlet and exit sides of both tanks. If you didn't one could very possible dump the others contents into the other tank. It's also going to be a PITA to adjust it so that doesn't happen.
 

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#3
May 17, 2006
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#3
Pure said:
You could do it but you would have to put flow control valves on both inlet and exit sides of both tanks. If you didn't one could very possible dump the others contents into the other tank. It's also going to be a PITA to adjust it so that doesn't happen.
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Not sure I can visualize what you mean.

That is...I understand where I'd put the valves...but if both intakes tubes are feeding to the filter's intake, and both exhaust tubes are feeding to the filter's exhaust, I can't see how there'd be a problem. Maybe I'm just missing something?
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#4
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
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Jacksonville, FL
#4
Because it would be next to impossible to make sure both inlet and exit tubes from both tanks are supplying the same amount of water to the filter and then to the tanks. The valves would help you control that. The difference in tube length on one side on one tank even by 1 CM would mess with this equation.

*goes cross eyed*
 

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#5
May 17, 2006
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#5
Pure said:
Because it would be next to impossible to make sure both inlet and exit tubes from both tanks are supplying the same amount of water to the filter and then to the tanks. The valves would help you control that. The difference in tube length on one side on one tank even by 1 CM would mess with this equation.

*goes cross eyed*
Click to expand...
Okay, I think I get what you're saying...but with that much filtration going to the two small tanks, if they weren't exact, would it matter? They'd really only have to be somewhat close, I'd think.

EDIT: Just realized that I must suffer from dyslexia...my subject line is backwards. :D
 

W

wayne

Elite Fish
#7
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
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#7
Unless you are very lucky, smart, using splitters to share one big filter between 2 tanks means one is going to overflow eventually. The only way to do this is have one tank overflow into the other, and have a single in/out from the filter.
 

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#8
May 17, 2006
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#8
wayne said:
Unless you are very lucky, smart, using splitters to share one big filter between 2 tanks means one is going to overflow eventually. The only way to do this is have one tank overflow into the other, and have a single in/out from the filter.
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I actually did think of that. What I couldn't figure out was how to actually get one to flow into the other. lol

EDIT (geez, I do this a lot): and thanks to Wayne...I now fully understand what Pure is talking about...and can see the problem clearly. :D
 

hyunelan2

hyunelan2

Large Fish
#11
Jun 1, 2005
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Near Chicago, IL
#11
You're going to need an aquarium overflow box big enough to keep up with the filter, so it will simply flow out in to the next tank.

Personally, I think you'll be better off with 2 smaller filters - to avoid 'dead spots' of filtration in the tanks.
 

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#12
May 17, 2006
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#12
hyunelan2 said:
You're going to need an aquarium overflow box big enough to keep up with the filter, so it will simply flow out in to the next tank.

Personally, I think you'll be better off with 2 smaller filters - to avoid 'dead spots' of filtration in the tanks.
Click to expand...
If it were only two tanks, I think I'm inclined to agree with you.

I've been thinking about setting up a bunch of 10 or 15 gallons in the same way as you'd see at an LFS. Basically a wall of about 12 to 16 tanks. I'd obviously have to have a well built stand for this. I'm not sure how they have them set up...how many tanks per filter, I mean. I know many times several tanks can share the exact same water. In fact, I've seen some tanks inadvertently sharing tank mates that they weren't the day before. :D

Just trying to wrap my head around the whole idea.
 

A

amd

Large Fish
#13
Jun 4, 2006
301
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40
north carolina asheville area
#13
you CAN use 1 enhiem to do this, I only have one suggestuion to keep it from overflowing a tank is to use tube/pipe to get a siphon between tanks so the lower will be filled by the higher, however is must be able to equalize faster than the pump for the not to be a prob and also xtra care to not break the siphon between the 2, i thought of this when i saw someone "bridge the 2 tanks with cpvc so the fish could go back and forth, just a thought... mike
 

L

Lilly_pad

Small Fish
#14
Jun 15, 2006
25
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#14
If you set up the multi tanks the way a fish store would have it set up... sounds great... but you can also have the same problems that the fish stores have. If one fish is sick... all the fish are sick as the water would be shared by all the tanks. Think about it. Rather than having separate individual eco system.. you now have one giant one and the whole thing would be subject to problems. Otherwise.. if all tanks had their own filters.... and something happens to that.. well then you just deal with that.

Fish stores do this system cause its easy to maintain with little effort. how ever the price to pay for problems is also... BIGGER in scale. They got insurance for losses do you?
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#17
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
7
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Jacksonville, FL
#17
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9004&N=2004+113801

A blower is a heavy duty air pump that can power multiple airlines to be used with any air powered filters like sponge or box filters. People who have multiple tank setups normally for breeding or importing use them.

This is how I filter the majority of my spawning tanks. Except I do not use one like in the link. I use several very powerful normal style pumps. I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket just in case of a failure.

With the sponge filters you get no mechanical filtration but that normally isn't an issue with bare bottomed tanks. Your gravel vac performs the mechanical part. Plus these tanks are not meant to look pretty.
 

SkwidsLair

SkwidsLair

Large Fish
#18
May 17, 2006
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#18
ohhh, like a heavy duty air pump, eh?

Right now I'm running the most powerful airpump I could find to my two 10 gallons. I believe what's in them is called box filters, as you mentioned. They are clear box like containers that I've filled with filter floss.

The whole bare bottom thing confuses me as well...am I not supposed to have gravel in my quarantine and fry tanks, or something?

(speaking of quarantine tanks...a side question: do I acclimate my new fish to the quarantine tank, and then again to the receiving tank? Or can they just go right into the quarantine tank, or just be acclimated for the receiving tank with no need for the quarantine process?)
 

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