Help with temporary fix to my Eheim 2217 inlet/outlet while I paint the pipes.

[JerSaint]

Hi All,
I am hoping to keep my Eheim 2217 up and running while I paint the pipes and let them dry(approx. 2 days). The filter was added by me way to hastily (so excited to install my first Eheim), and I would like the seeding of the bio-media to stay working. I am also running a Bio-wheel 200 that the tank started on(it will be removed once the painting is completed).
I think I might be able to add a sponge to the end of the actual tubing for the inlet and use one or two of the suction cups to keep it in place. Has anyone tried this? I am also trying to figure out what to do about the outlet and flow? Please help any suggestions are appreciated!

[JerSaint]

Anybody?

[alkatraz]

Not sure if I understand what you're doing exactly but it sounds risky putting wet paint near the water. if the question is, will a single suction cup keep thing in place, more than likely it will. Ive had 1 suction cup fail on my 2211 and the outlet tipped over a bit put didnt fall off and spray water everywhere. My question to you is if it fails, will wet paint come in contact with tank water? If so, that doesn't sound like an acceptable risk.

Have you considered buying a separate set of intake/outlet pipes and painting the new ones? Or buying a glass/acrylic set and upgrading? Always good to have a second set on hand.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[mo2vation]

Pull it off, run it in a bucket with a heater. Or just pull out the media, and let the media cook in a bucket with an airstone and heater... no filter required.

Feed it a half-a-teaspoon of ammonia every few days (test it) to keep it working and building and you'll be fine.

You'll continue to build your bacto without ever having it on your tank.

I cycle filters like this all the time.

-Ken

[JerSaint]

Alkatraz: No paint near the aquarium until it is fully cured ( 1-2 days after spray painting with Krylon Fusion). I am hoping to remove the hard pipes totally for painting, and in the interm use the tubing without the pipes as my inlet/outlet(I have enough excess tubing to have it reach into the tank on both inlet and return). I was wondering if the suction cups would hold the tubing in place? I would LOVE to go the glass lilly pipe route but budget prevents me from even ordering replacement plastic ones!

mo2vation: I like that idea, but if possible I would like to keep all the filtration on the main tank for flow and for my fairly heavily stocked tank. I really like this idea and may use it in advance of setting up my next tank!

Does anyone know of a way to slightly diffuse flow (or direct it) on the return hose and wether the suction cups will hold the tubing in place without the pipes?

[alkatraz]

Ahhh. In my opinion, (not experience) the suctions cup clips will be too small for the tubing. You could probably force it in but they may break or expand to the point where they no longer secure the pipes.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[deeda]

You can slide the ends of the Eheim hoses in some short lengths of scrap PVC pipe, if you have any, for the short term until the paint is cured on the Eheim parts. Or you can tie a heavy rock securely to the ends of the hoses to keep them submerged properly.

I do recommend putting a coarse sponge or the strainer over the end of the intake hose to prevent sucking up any fish, plants or shrimp.

You can adjust the output valve to slow the flow down a bit.

[JerSaint]

Thanks everyone!

[JerSaint]

Hi All,
I picked up som pex(spelling?) semi rigid tubing. I drilled the smaller of the two pipes as a spraybar and added a sponge to the end of the larger pipe as my intake. I will be painting the main pipes black. I will post pics soon to show my novice handy work and the finished product.

[Diana]

Clean the media and toss it in the tank. Let it drift. The other filter or power head or even a bubbler can replace the water movement that the Ehiem provided.

[JerSaint]

I finished the paint job on the pipes and thought I would show the temporary pipes and the finished product.

Temporary:



Painted and Finished:

[deeda]

Looks good, nice job!

[JerSaint]

Thanks Dee!