Set-up for easier tank maintenance with backflush valve/gravel vac combo

[spoxick]

i had a rena xp3 on a 60 gal and on my intake ball valve then i put in a TEE and attached it to intake again
off the tee i put in a ball valve and attached my gravel cleaner then all i did was fill the cleaner and hose with water flip the 2 valves and used the suction from my canister for the gravel cleaner
filter caught all the debris and just kept cycling the water


i did this whenever i felt it needed it and did it really good right before a real good filter clean.

worked like a charm

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I backflush maybe twice per year, i.e. once in between filter cleanings.

HarleyK

 

[ecoli73]

It's so hard to find this thread!

 

[mrwinkle]

subscribe to it then, I did

 

[Squirtle919]

We do this at work, have for 6 years. U will still need to open the canister at one stage.

Ours has never been opened over that period and is pushing about 100L-200L PH. lol.

Its great for most cleans but I would highly recommend still opening it up once every 2-3 months.

 

[Chicxulub]

Subbed

 

[hulk181]

Great guide and pictures. I'm going to try this, thank you.

 

[Sanman]

Found it ....thanks Harley ehiem king

 

[HarleyK]

Always happy to help!

A brief learning from the past few years:
I noticed that crabs don't flush out as easily as they apparently crawl in. Other critters, like fry and shrimp, I catch with a net at the end of the hose.

 

[Salguod]

The filter must be off to backflush.

I understand that the canister pump must be off to backflush. Has anyone tried a second pump forcing water through the canister intake (forcing water past the canister pump that is off)? I was thinking that this might result in a "power backwash"?