Doubling canister filter use on 2 tanks ? possible?

[s_anthony]

This may be a foreign question for some, but I am really starting to LOVE LOVE LOVE my fluval filter I bought. I used to be sold on biowheels, but I wish I had discovered these things well before..

I have 2 15 gal tanks that I am setting up as community tanks. They will both house the same fish. Is there a way or a modification that can be done to a fluval or other canister like filter to filter through 2 tanks at once. Yes I know I'd be introducing two tanks to possible disease etc if one ever broke out, but I've been doing tanks for the past 3 years or so and havn't had anything other than one sick tigerbarb that got better with a melefix treatment. (Knock on wood).

I just want to avoid having to run biowheels on both of these again if I can avoid it. Suggestions, pictures of your set up if possible appreciated

 

[Chris_A]

I will say a VERY hesitant yes... If both tanks are side by side and the tops are level to each other you can have the intake in one and the outlet in the other. Then all you need is a large enough U-tube to connect the tanks together. Thing is, it's only a blocked strainer away from having the outlet tank overflow. I TRULY wouldn't recommend it... but yes it can be done. If you do want to try, all those conditions MUST be met or it won't work though.

There are other ways of connecting multiple tanks with a canister but they are not what I would call easy and very labour intensive. Possibly even boarder line experimental. Plus there are even more considerations than the above method. Basically what I'm saying is probably not worth your time or effort.

Hands down the easiest way to connect two tanks is with overflows and a sump. That would kinda defeat using a canister though .

Chris

 

[Orion]

Chris A is right on, about all of it. All it would take is a break in suction on the U tube or a slow strainer and it would cause a mess. Something that like would need 24 hour a day supervision.

A central filtration system is nothing new, but it is a lot of work to setup. Honestly probably not worth the trouble for 2 tanks. And again like Chris said, the safest way of doing involves using a sump, not a canister.

 

[s_anthony]

Thanks for your replies. I guess I'ts back to bio wheel on both of those for now then.