Let's see your plumbing!

ringram · 09-10-2007, 06:47 PM

Just wondering what everyone's "undercarriage" looks like. I currently have two filters on my 90g (Eheim 2026 and Rena XP3), with UV Sterilizer and inline heater hooked to Eheim output. I'm looking to simplify things and make it a little neater down there. I also have problems with kinks in the line and usually have to push the Eheim into the back corner in a weird position, with zipties on the hoses to keep them unkinked. It's not a mess down there, but it could be better.
I like the PVC solutions that some people have. I assume that you wouldn't be able to hook the heater or UV directly inline to PVC, but would need a piece with a nipple and a small section of hose.
I'm not really looking for the auto water changing systems that some people have, although those are nice. I use a python connected to my faucet and it works fine for me.
Well, post away!

-Ryan

kunerd · 09-10-2007, 07:58 PM

Here you go

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/eq...your-tank.html

ringram · 09-10-2007, 09:17 PM

Ahh. Very nice thread. I love the idea of lights turning on when the doors open. Much better than holding a mini flashlight with my teeth when I want to do something down there. Someone also had a paper towel roll down there -- are you kidding me? LOL. Good idea though.

tropicalfish · 10-07-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringram

Ahh. Very nice thread. I love the idea of lights turning on when the doors open. Much better than holding a mini flashlight with my teeth when I want to do something down there. Someone also had a paper towel roll down there -- are you kidding me? LOL. Good idea though.

A slight bump after scrolling through topics

Yes that is a paper towel roll holder I put there :P

Fish'InMN · 10-07-2007, 06:31 AM

I have 100% control of how much flow goes into the tank with this setup, from drop-wise to full-power. I had some leaking issues at first, so I switched out all the barbs shown above from CPVC to nylon. No other issues at all.

Cheers,
Marty

iointerrupt · 10-07-2007, 08:58 AM

Some UV sterilizers, Current-USA and Pentair, are built to accept standard NPT PVC parts, so they can be fully hard plumbed. But that is a rather pricey solution.

Although I love building things out of PVC, the idea of a fully hard-plumbed setup never appealed to me. Mainly because it really sets things in stone, if you want to make a big change you are going to need a hacksaw. Lots of unions can help this some, but some design choices really do become fixed.

That said, might I suggest some better vinyl tubing? Reinforced tubing is will have a bigger bend radius, but won't kink.

And finally, you can fit a lot of stuff into 16" if you work at it:

Left to right: DIY FBF, UV, Hydor L25, XP2, Heater thermostat, CO2 solenoid (not pictured)

**BiscuitSlayer** · 10-07-2007, 09:41 AM

Fish'InMN - How exactly do you use the "water change valve"? Do you have something that connects to that end?

FacePlanted · 10-07-2007, 08:28 PM

YES! A DIY FBF! That's cool! I had wanted to build one myself, but got one for christmas instead.

Does it work well? Can you keep the sand bed fluidized?

Fish'InMN · 10-07-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Fish'InMN - How exactly do you use the "water change valve"? Do you have something that connects to that end?

Yes, just a simple PVC L to drain into a bucket. I have not started using it yet as the tank is still easily siphoned, but once plants grow in everywhere I will begin using it for water changes. Or maybe not. Either way, it is the only way to get water out of the manifold without causing a huge mess.

**Tdon1md** · 10-07-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FacePlanted

YES! A DIY FBF! That's cool! I had wanted to build one myself, but got one for Christmas instead.

Does it work well? Can you keep the sand bed fluidized?

At the risk of being a total imbecile, what's a FBF?

**gsd78** · 10-07-2007, 10:38 PM

FBF = fluidized bed filter

iointerrupt · 10-08-2007, 02:33 AM

It fluidizes quite easily, the 1.5 lbs of sand I have in it only needs about half the flow of a 265gph pump. If you want more info on it, I'll start a new thread, as I did take construction pictures.

Fluidized Bed Filters are rare on planted tanks as they are kind of redundant, more common on high fish load tanks. But I wanted a 2nd filter for my tank and another canister filter just seemed...boring.

**Tdon1md** · 10-08-2007, 09:49 AM

Is it in any way akin to an UGF?

iointerrupt · 10-10-2007, 08:12 AM

A fluidized bed filter is only like an under gravel filter in the sense that they both do biological filtration. A single pound of sand can provide biological filtration for 100 gallons of water, they pack a lot of surface area into a small space.

FacePlanted · 10-10-2007, 09:51 AM

That IS really cool.

I was using the lifeguard FB300 FBF before I redid my 29gal. I took it out and only used the mechanical module b/c I think the sand media that they provided was messing with my KH, and maybe (if i can remember correctly) my GH. It also seemed like it just pumped out nitrates, but I can't really think why that would be. It seems like the plants would take care of any ammonia. Maybe I just had too many fish.

I dont really need it now, but I think a DIY FBF thread would be great to have for reference.

Does anyone else have the pentair/lifeguard modules they are using on their tanks? How did you plumb them?

09-10-2007, 06:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
ringram Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (64) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,531	Let's see your plumbing! Just wondering what everyone's "undercarriage" looks like. I currently have two filters on my 90g (Eheim 2026 and Rena XP3), with UV Sterilizer and inline heater hooked to Eheim output. I'm looking to simplify things and make it a little neater down there. I also have problems with kinks in the line and usually have to push the Eheim into the back corner in a weird position, with zipties on the hoses to keep them unkinked. It's not a mess down there, but it could be better. I like the PVC solutions that some people have. I assume that you wouldn't be able to hook the heater or UV directly inline to PVC, but would need a piece with a nipple and a small section of hose. I'm not really looking for the auto water changing systems that some people have, although those are nice. I use a python connected to my faucet and it works fine for me. Well, post away! -Ryan __________________ 90g journal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...rnal-pics.html --------------------------------------------------- SFBAAPS member - http://www.sfbaaps.com/ SAPS member - http://intplantscaping.meetup.com/11/

09-10-2007, 07:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
kunerd Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spring Lake Park, MN Posts: 682	Here you go http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/eq...your-tank.html __________________ Filstar Pimp #27 "Insert your own tag line here"

09-10-2007, 09:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
ringram Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (64) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,531	Ahh. Very nice thread. I love the idea of lights turning on when the doors open. Much better than holding a mini flashlight with my teeth when I want to do something down there. Someone also had a paper towel roll down there -- are you kidding me? LOL. Good idea though. __________________ 90g journal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...rnal-pics.html --------------------------------------------------- SFBAAPS member - http://www.sfbaaps.com/ SAPS member - http://intplantscaping.meetup.com/11/

10-07-2007, 06:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fish'InMN Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MN, USA Posts: 80	I have 100% control of how much flow goes into the tank with this setup, from drop-wise to full-power. I had some leaking issues at first, so I switched out all the barbs shown above from CPVC to nylon. No other issues at all. Cheers, Marty __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #245 Even he, to whom most things that most people would think were pretty smart were pretty dumb, thought it was pretty smart. Douglas Adams

10-07-2007, 08:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
FacePlanted Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 62	YES! A DIY FBF! That's cool! I had wanted to build one myself, but got one for christmas instead. Does it work well? Can you keep the sand bed fluidized? __________________ -Mike B-

10-07-2007, 08:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
iointerrupt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Down on the algae farm Posts: 14	Some UV sterilizers, Current-USA and Pentair, are built to accept standard NPT PVC parts, so they can be fully hard plumbed. But that is a rather pricey solution. Although I love building things out of PVC, the idea of a fully hard-plumbed setup never appealed to me. Mainly because it really sets things in stone, if you want to make a big change you are going to need a hacksaw. Lots of unions can help this some, but some design choices really do become fixed. That said, might I suggest some better vinyl tubing? Reinforced tubing is will have a bigger bend radius, but won't kink. And finally, you can fit a lot of stuff into 16" if you work at it: Left to right: DIY FBF, UV, Hydor L25, XP2, Heater thermostat, CO2 solenoid (not pictured)

10-07-2007, 09:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
BiscuitSlayer Eatus Morus Biscuitus (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 2,152	Fish'InMN - How exactly do you use the "water change valve"? Do you have something that connects to that end?

10-07-2007, 10:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
gsd78 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 235	FBF = fluidized bed filter __________________ My 240gal Square Tank Journal

10-08-2007, 02:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
iointerrupt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Down on the algae farm Posts: 14	It fluidizes quite easily, the 1.5 lbs of sand I have in it only needs about half the flow of a 265gph pump. If you want more info on it, I'll start a new thread, as I did take construction pictures. Fluidized Bed Filters are rare on planted tanks as they are kind of redundant, more common on high fish load tanks. But I wanted a 2nd filter for my tank and another canister filter just seemed...boring.

10-08-2007, 09:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tdon1md Planted Tank Anti-Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Salisbury, MD Posts: 430	Is it in any way akin to an UGF? __________________ Todd That's my 2 cents worth, and I may owe you change. Fluval Pimpmaster General! 30G broken down to make 75G 75Gallon Obsession

10-10-2007, 08:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
iointerrupt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Down on the algae farm Posts: 14	A fluidized bed filter is only like an under gravel filter in the sense that they both do biological filtration. A single pound of sand can provide biological filtration for 100 gallons of water, they pack a lot of surface area into a small space.

10-10-2007, 09:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
FacePlanted Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 62	That IS really cool. I was using the lifeguard FB300 FBF before I redid my 29gal. I took it out and only used the mechanical module b/c I think the sand media that they provided was messing with my KH, and maybe (if i can remember correctly) my GH. It also seemed like it just pumped out nitrates, but I can't really think why that would be. It seems like the plants would take care of any ammonia. Maybe I just had too many fish. I dont really need it now, but I think a DIY FBF thread would be great to have for reference. Does anyone else have the pentair/lifeguard modules they are using on their tanks? How did you plumb them? __________________ -Mike B-

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