Filter Placement Question

**Trillianne** · 05-06-2010, 09:18 PM

This is part of my "future research project" that I'm hoping you guys can help me out on.

I've been looking at suitable filters for a ~45 US gallon tank, and am thinking the most suitable would be either a Eheim 2215 or a Fluval 405 for the size.

When reading through the Fluval instruction book, it specified that the filter should not be more than 4 1/2 ft below the water level. The Eheim just mentioned "below the water level"

The storage cabinet that would house my filter is already 3 ft tall from floor to base, without having a tank on top. I was thinking floor level would be most suitable since a floor tends to not vibrate as much as a shelf, but I'm concerned about the warning on water level.

Have any of you had your filters lower than that?
What dangers or hazards would come from having the filter lower?

I'm curious if this is more of a "guideline" or a "this filter won't work for the set up"

**rich311k** · 05-06-2010, 09:28 PM

I keep my cannisters on the floor. You will be just fine like that.

**korith** · 05-06-2010, 09:49 PM

Should be fine under the stand. If your stand is abnormally tall or something, may have an issue of having less water pressure and making the filter work harder. Sometimes people take things to the extreme, like running their hoses through a hole in the wall or floor and into another room. In your case I really wouldn't worry about it.

**fish00053** · 05-06-2010, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Trillianne

This is part of my "future research project" that I'm hoping you guys can help me out on.

I've been looking at suitable filters for a ~45 US gallon tank, and am thinking the most suitable would be either a Eheim 2215 or a Fluval 405 for the size.

When reading through the Fluval instruction book, it specified that the filter should not be more than 4 1/2 ft below the water level. The Eheim just mentioned "below the water level"

The storage cabinet that would house my filter is already 3 ft tall from floor to base, without having a tank on top. I was thinking floor level would be most suitable since a floor tends to not vibrate as much as a shelf, but I'm concerned about the warning on water level.

Have any of you had your filters lower than that?
What dangers or hazards would come from having the filter lower?

I'm curious if this is more of a "guideline" or a "this filter won't work for the set up"

I suggest the Fluval 405. Definitely will do the job. Placement in center of tank. It will draw equally from both ends. I have 4 fluvals and flawless performance 3 1/2 years.

**Dave66** · 05-06-2010, 10:37 PM

Depends on the 'head' of the pump in the filter, that is, how high it can push water. I use exclusively Fluval canisters, and they have no difficulty pushing water back up to my tanks, nor have they ever.

Dave

**terrapin24h** · 05-07-2010, 05:09 PM

The manual says one thing, but check the head height of the 405("max water column height") you'll see it's close to 7ft. FWIW, i run a 405 on my 65gal and i run it at about 5 ft. Primes and runs fine. I run a 305 at about the same level, again no issue.

--chris