Equipment Review and Discussion :: Changed up my canister filter.

[Rubicon]

So the pump that came with decided to crap out. Picked up a 395GPH submersible pump off amazon for $15 bucks and some new 1/2" ID tubing. Gotta say I'm loving the results. Flow is obviously better but not over the top.

[steve]

So you're running the pump externally to the same canister? Pretty creative thinking.

[litefoot]

I have done this on a shrimp tank I had. It does work great! To help me with cleaning the pump due to it catching some dead plant material I got a sponge filter for a pre filter. It also gave the tank more media for the biological side. Making cleaning the pump itself only once in a while job.

https://www.amazon.com/PondMaster-12600 ... dp_product


Or if you want make your own. Think you may like doing this. As a pre filter my after market pump lasted for years, just an idea , may work for you if you like.

I also do this for two bird baths I have and save me on buying a new pump every other year.

[Rubicon]

It had an external pump to start with. Just a week little 290GPH one that didn't last long.

[litefoot]

What you have now look's ok and doing the job. Just make sure if it goes out one year that you find one that can handle the rise , looks like it travels around four foot up. To me , I think that's what kills some aftermarket pumps. We sometimes forget about how far the water has to rise. In my beginning I went through some impeller's.

[Rubicon]

Most definitely. At $15 a pump I can live with buying a new one every year. My biggest concern with the higher flow rate was possible leaks at the filter. But a week in and still no leaks!

[litefoot]

That is great! Had my share of leaks over the years.