Converting Canister Filter into sump pump

[jmike50]

Okay all my smart peeps,
Can a canister filter be modify to use has a sump pump? Like everyone one else tough budget can not afford a reg. pump. But someone on here suggested to get rid of my canister filter it causes a lot of problems. I have to use it because my tank is not drilled. Still in the stone age.LOL...Thanks Mike

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Can be done to a degree. Just fill it with live rock instead of what is normally in the canister filter.

Best of Luck!!!

Edit: Oh yeah. Live rock or Seachem Matrix.

 

[jmike50]

Cedz, I have bio-maz and active charcoal in it now. Thanks

 

[ripped tide]

Canister filters are terrible pumps. They pretty much rely on there being 0 head height.


A canister filter doesn't allow any exchange or any of the advantages that come with a sump.

 

[jmike50]

I don't have a lot of room and a small budget. All the pumps I have been looking at are out of my range. I just need one on a 40gal dt which is not drilled. I was thinking about one of the pre-made sumps that I could possibly afford. I would even tank a used one...I am not picky. When I go to a sump I guess I will kick this canister to the curb. LOL

 

[ripped tide]

Maybe I'm not understanding what you are asking-

Are you wanting to know about the effectiveness of a canister filter being used as a pump to pump water from a sump to the tank? Or are you curious if canister filters are accepted means for saltwater filtration?

 

[KrisDeitz]

I have a huge canister on my 60 cube. While it helps filter some it's more of a pita then anything.

 

[jmike50]

Dylan, I want to take it and modify it into a sump pump....sorry for the confusion.

Kris, I know about the PITA. I just hate cleaning it and putting in new media. How you doing?

 

[ripped tide]

If you are trying to use it as a pump, and pump alone(not filtration) then it would not be a good choice. They aren't designed to push water up, they are more or less built for recirculation with little resistance from gravity.

 

[jmike50]

Thanks Dylan

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Well, that pretty much blows that theory out the window. LOL..

Mabye I misunderstood the question. I've seen some people that were in a similar situation and couldn't do a sump for one reason or another, and ended up re-using a fluval canister stuffed with LR or something like that instead of the normal filtration inside the canister. I assume it helped, to a degree for the filtration, but, was not a replacement for a sump. Agree with the others, the motor in the canister filter probably wouldn't be strong enough. It is required to push quite a bit, even if there aren't any 90 degree angles, or anything like that...

jmike50: You can always add a sump later. After running with HOB equipment, I finally got my sump built, and haven't looked back since...

Best of luck!!!

 

[tbryan]

It would be slow flow for sure, 100-200gph range i would guess, but Id say it could work in a pinch. I'd say keep a lookout for a used mag pump for cheap and sell the canister to offset the cost.

 

[jmike50]

Thanks guys....I got a feeling this is going to be a long process for me, but trying to come up into the real world.

Cedz..I use HOB equipment plus the cnister filter and a protein skimmer.