i am really just brainstorming here...

would it be possible to add a powerhead/pump to the inlet of a canister filter to increase the filter's flowrate? could i potentially damage the filter doing this?

ideas?

I do not specifically see a problem with doing this - as far as "damage" to the filter. The main problem I see is that the filter is designed with large enough hoses and outlets and inlets that it handles the gph that it was designed to do. Forcing more water through the same system may not work very well or efficiantly - and may not be particularly good for the additional pump .

I have added water pumps to supplement HOB filters with no problem.

thanks daryl.

do you simply mount the powerhead's output nozzle directly to the input of the filter?

i think unplugging the filter would be best to avoid any impeller damage. the hoses should be fine since all the fluval filters have the same hose size.

When I added an extra water pump to the HOB filter, I just ran a hose from the water pump up into the filter box. There was simply extra overflow into the tank upping the gph.