HELP HELP!!! Canister filter connection chiller NEED HELP REALLY REALLY BAD

marek_miro · 03/19/2007, 06:30 PM

Hello all this is only my second time posting on RC, but I have a BIG PROBLEM!

Okay here is the story we are in the process of setting up a new tank, and had the wonderful idea of adding a chiller to this one and using a canister filter this time instead of the crappy Eclispe filtration we have had, and not having to use A/C all the time during summer to keep the tanks cool. This tank is for seahorses, Northern Erectus to be exact.

I thought at one time I had read and or seen that it is possible to run a canister filter and the the chiller off of the canister filter back to the tank. We are now being told that this is not possible do to back pressure and that it would ruin the canister filter and perhaps the chiller.
We finally settled on a Fluval 305 and a Current 1/15th chiller. Today while talking with Hagen they said that is not to be done and it will void the warrranty.

I really need some help on this one I thought I had researched enough to know, now I am just sitting here like a blubbering idiot

1). Is it possible to run a chiller off of a canister filter, in other words water from tank to filter then via the output on the canister filter to the chiller intake then from the chiller output back to the tank.

2). If this is possible how do I do it?

I have talked with eheim, rena, fluval, and marineland all say it is impossible. I then talked with current who makes the chiller, which says it is possible but I have to take into account the loss of head because even though the chiller is 1/15th HP I need to maintain at least around 300GPH or the chiller may not function correctly it could freeze up or not chill correctly, which means that the flow is too much for the horses.Head loss for the chiller is 3 feet.

I have no idea what to do, who to believe or how to take care of the situation. I am heartbroke after all the research I did and bargain hunting I went through.

All I want to do is upgrade from a 25 g to a 38 g, add a canister filter and a chiller. I dont want a sump or a refugium as I got a CPR Aquafuge PS as a present for the new tank.

If any of this is possible what canister filter would you recommend I really need the help on this one what size etc...... I also don't know how to figure head loss which is also important otherwise nothing will get filtered well leading to poor water quality. I do know that the chiller will give me 3 foot of head loss as the man from Currrent was nice enough to tell me that. I now have no idea which canister filter to buy or what size.

On top of it I feel like a stupid idiot, I didnt think it would be this hard perhaps I am making it harder than what it really is.

If anyone can please help, honest to god I feel so dumb right now and sad

bertoni · 03/19/2007, 06:34 PM

1. It might work, but I would buy a good pressure-rated pump of the proper flow rate.

2. The pump should be easy enough to connect to the chiller with the proper adapters. I don't use canister filters, so I can't help more there.

BadOleRoss · 03/19/2007, 07:25 PM

I would remove any filter media from the canister so it does not become dirty and reduce flow.....

marek_miro · 03/19/2007, 08:10 PM

I guess I am still not understanding what you are saying. There must be some way to get the chiller connected to a canister filter and get the water in and out of the tank with just the pumping pressure from the canister filter.

bertoni · 03/19/2007, 11:32 PM

The canister might not last long or have enough power to push much flow with that much back pressure (load). I wouldn't try it. I don't know enough about canister filters to know what kind of adapters would be needed.

reefmatenate · 03/20/2007, 08:39 AM

I would say no... I used to use a canister filter 24/7 on my 65 sps reef until I noticed a severe nitrate buildup because of detritus inside the filter since then I only use it to do water changes its a great vaccuum and I can suck all the settled stuff outa my sump. I have a fluval 305 also. I would say It would be very very very simple to hook up to your chiller just splice the line and connect the chiller to it. but here is where I see your problem the fluval only produces around 300 gph which is EXACTLY the least amount of flow your chiller needs. It is rare that the fluval will ever produce that much even running perfectly and definetely not after collecting some dirty stuff as this will restrict the flow. If I was you I wouldnt try it because your chiller will freeze up and not work properly. save your pennies and buy a good pump like a quietone or something of that nature. I mean come on its only 40$$ (saving money in this hobby usually costs more in the long run) just my two cents...

Cheers mate

03/19/2007, 06:30 PM	#1
marek_miro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NY Posts: 12	HELP HELP!!! Canister filter connection chiller NEED HELP REALLY REALLY BAD Hello all this is only my second time posting on RC, but I have a BIG PROBLEM! Okay here is the story we are in the process of setting up a new tank, and had the wonderful idea of adding a chiller to this one and using a canister filter this time instead of the crappy Eclispe filtration we have had, and not having to use A/C all the time during summer to keep the tanks cool. This tank is for seahorses, Northern Erectus to be exact. I thought at one time I had read and or seen that it is possible to run a canister filter and the the chiller off of the canister filter back to the tank. We are now being told that this is not possible do to back pressure and that it would ruin the canister filter and perhaps the chiller. We finally settled on a Fluval 305 and a Current 1/15th chiller. Today while talking with Hagen they said that is not to be done and it will void the warrranty. I really need some help on this one I thought I had researched enough to know, now I am just sitting here like a blubbering idiot 1). Is it possible to run a chiller off of a canister filter, in other words water from tank to filter then via the output on the canister filter to the chiller intake then from the chiller output back to the tank. 2). If this is possible how do I do it? I have talked with eheim, rena, fluval, and marineland all say it is impossible. I then talked with current who makes the chiller, which says it is possible but I have to take into account the loss of head because even though the chiller is 1/15th HP I need to maintain at least around 300GPH or the chiller may not function correctly it could freeze up or not chill correctly, which means that the flow is too much for the horses.Head loss for the chiller is 3 feet. I have no idea what to do, who to believe or how to take care of the situation. I am heartbroke after all the research I did and bargain hunting I went through. All I want to do is upgrade from a 25 g to a 38 g, add a canister filter and a chiller. I dont want a sump or a refugium as I got a CPR Aquafuge PS as a present for the new tank. If any of this is possible what canister filter would you recommend I really need the help on this one what size etc...... I also don't know how to figure head loss which is also important otherwise nothing will get filtered well leading to poor water quality. I do know that the chiller will give me 3 foot of head loss as the man from Currrent was nice enough to tell me that. I now have no idea which canister filter to buy or what size. On top of it I feel like a stupid idiot, I didnt think it would be this hard perhaps I am making it harder than what it really is. If anyone can please help, honest to god I feel so dumb right now and sad

03/19/2007, 06:34 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	1. It might work, but I would buy a good pressure-rated pump of the proper flow rate. 2. The pump should be easy enough to connect to the chiller with the proper adapters. I don't use canister filters, so I can't help more there. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/19/2007, 11:32 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The canister might not last long or have enough power to push much flow with that much back pressure (load). I wouldn't try it. I don't know enough about canister filters to know what kind of adapters would be needed. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/20/2007, 08:39 AM	#6
reefmatenate Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Queensland AU Posts: 158	I would say no... I used to use a canister filter 24/7 on my 65 sps reef until I noticed a severe nitrate buildup because of detritus inside the filter since then I only use it to do water changes its a great vaccuum and I can suck all the settled stuff outa my sump. I have a fluval 305 also. I would say It would be very very very simple to hook up to your chiller just splice the line and connect the chiller to it. but here is where I see your problem the fluval only produces around 300 gph which is EXACTLY the least amount of flow your chiller needs. It is rare that the fluval will ever produce that much even running perfectly and definetely not after collecting some dirty stuff as this will restrict the flow. If I was you I wouldnt try it because your chiller will freeze up and not work properly. save your pennies and buy a good pump like a quietone or something of that nature. I mean come on its only 40$$ (saving money in this hobby usually costs more in the long run) just my two cents... Cheers mate __________________ oceans are dying people why arent we helping WILDLIFE WARRIORS RULE! Current Tank Info: 75/65 combined system setup for 6 years

03/19/2007, 07:25 PM	#3
BadOleRoss Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynchburg VA Posts: 381	I would remove any filter media from the canister so it does not become dirty and reduce flow.....

03/19/2007, 08:10 PM	#4
marek_miro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NY Posts: 12	I guess I am still not understanding what you are saying. There must be some way to get the chiller connected to a canister filter and get the water in and out of the tank with just the pumping pressure from the canister filter.