Cannister plumbing

Evening all, was wondering if anyone has ever plumbed their cannister filters? I know a while back @Babyball did an awesome setup where he incorporated his heater and diffuser into his plumbing.
I have 2 cannisters running per tank and would like to cut down on the number of pipes in the tank. Would pvc work? @ Chongkie you are quite astute with piping, can this be done?

 

Yeah you can. Do you want to incorporate the 2 canisters into one? or still separated?

 

2 into 1, I have never dealt with plumbing before so I am gonna ask lots of noob questions. Would u be able to show me a drawing or diagram of sorts?

 

I am also interested in getting this right. @Zoom is selling a tank where he plumbed two canisters, perhaps he can shed some light?

 

I remember this was discussed before, and there was some debate about the flow, etc. I just can't remember on which thread it was on.

 

Thats the bit that worries me as well, what must the diameter of the pipe be? Then the connection to the cannister? "T" piece or is there a "Y" piece? PVC pipe or a hose?

 

From my internet searching I have established that a "Y" connection is best. Also, the inlet and outlet pipes should be bigger up to the point where each individual canisters hoses attach - I am assuming it should be the same volume as the hoses for each canister hose combined.

 

So basically we are looking at 2 "Y" connections and couple of meters of pvc or hose pipe? But I am thinking of the "Y" connection you get with garden hoses how would you connect that to a pvc pipe? The reason I say pvc is surely the inlet pipe from the cannister will then be too narrow?

 

I took the theory behind this, binned it, and tested it. I have 2 cannisters each rated with different pump flow rates. I bring down a 25mm tube, slit it (at a Tpiece) into 2 x 16mm pipes. One for each cannister inlet. I then take 2 x 16mm outlets from the filters, connect them (at a T piece) to a 20mm pipe which enters the tank. The 20mm outlet causes a little bit of back pressure on the system to stabalize everything, and creates a little bit of flow in the tank.

Been running these 2 filters like this for 2 years.

I do WC once a month.
I clean each filter once a year. (6 months apart)... and every time I open the filter to clean, I think I am wasting my time cause the filters are still clean.)

(PS.. this is a high tech planted tank.)

 

Thanks @Zoom! It is always good to get info from somebody with the practical experience.

 

Very interesting discussion here guys. What would hapin if one of the canisters malfunctions? Eg power goes off etc? Will the other canister absolve the work load?

 

Now that is exactly what I am looking for!

The 25mm and 20mm pipes, do you run them straight into the tank? Or do you connect them to plastic bipes for the spraybar and inlet?

 

Suppose as long as the connections are solid there theoretically shouldnt be a problem

 

When I do a filter clean I simply unplug the canister, and the other one keeps on running as normal. So if one malfunctions, no reason why this same theory wouldn't apply.

I used 25mm irrigation pipe as my outlet pipe. (I used a grate from canister to stop fish being sucked up) and then 20mm irrigation pipe with holes drilled in for spraybar return.

 

Great, appreciate the response @Zoom would I find the piping at a hardware or garden store?

 

I think we will go hunting this weekend.

 

Builder's warehouse carry both the irrigation and clear tubing. Fiddle around with fittings.

 

The only problem may be if one of the canisters fails, then some of the flow from the working one may reverse flow through the broken one and back to the working one's suction. Are there non-return valves (check valves) that one can put after each canister? I've not seen any anywhere. Not a train smash of course.

 

So @HEIHACHI got him self some PVC pipes, fittings and some other goodies. Looking forward to seeing this project.

 

So yes goodies I did get.

Why oh why is it not connected as yet you may ask?
Coz I am currently sitting in bloody O.R Tambo for the next 2.5 hours!!