Raising the HOB

[Aquatic Delight]

Kinda an odd question.

i keep my water level a little low to allow a better downward flow, but i really hate seeing the water line. so what i was thinking was raising the filter a couple inches so i can increase water level and not see the water line.

i don't want to just raise the water line because i need the downward current for my reticulated hillstream loaches, and filter feeding shrimp. is there a product out there that will accomplish this or this a DIY project? (down the line i am planning to get a canister but right now its not in the budget)

[HD Blazingwolf]

cut some wood. styrofoam. acrylic blocks... etc

[Aquatic Delight]

but how is that safe? the bit that drops over the sides of the tank is only like a half inch long, just shoving a cut peice of wood or acrylic in between the filter and side of the tank is asking for disaster.

[Akwar-e'um]

I don't know about other brands of HOBs but I modded a AC Mini a few years back just for that purpose. I used a dremel to remove the curve in the lip. That sent the water in a more downward direction regardless of water level. A little bit of trial and error might be needed if you want an exact angle. Take it slow and don't get too greedy. Once the curve is gone.....
Keep in mind that you won't be able to get the water more vertical than the angle of your HOB's chute but anything between that and what you have now, is possible.

Good Luck.

[moonshinetheslacker]

I had a similar problem with a 6 gallon bookshelf petco/petsmart aquarium. I wrapped a piece of black electrical tape around the top of the tank to blend in with the rim. Worked perfectly.

With my 75 gallon tank I put a piece of crown moulding around the rim of the tank. Basically making the rim go down about 1 inch lower. A larger piece of trim/moulding, and the rim would have gone down further still. You can try something that. By making the rim bigger, it gives the aquarium more of a boxed-in picture frame look (some people like it, some don't) I love the way my 75 gallon turned out. You can see it in my signature. Just check out the asian themed aquarium stand.

If you are dead set on raising the hob, then yes, this is a DIY project as far as I know. I've never seen anything that is designed for raising a HOB. But honestly, like blazingwolf said earlier, grab some acrylic/plexi/wood/foam, and some silicone. My caveat to that is this: get some graphed paper, pencil, eraser, and ruler/measuring tape. Draw an idea. Not to scale or anything, just something you think will support your HOB the way you want your HOB supported. Once you have the basic idea, plan it out on the graph paper. To scale, preferably. Once it's on the graph paper, imagine tipping the hob with your hand in every direction. What do you have in place to keep it from tipping? Figure out where you'll add a little bit of support. Once the plan is finished, start cutting and gluing.

Or just deal with the lower water level until you've saved up enough for your canister filter.

Or add an extra powerhead...

[HD Blazingwolf]

HOW about a picture of the HOB that way we can see ur specific needs

[Aquatic Delight]

[Aquatic Delight]

Originally Posted by moonshinetheslacker

I had a similar problem with a 6 gallon bookshelf petco/petsmart aquarium. I wrapped a piece of black electrical tape around the top of the tank to blend in with the rim. Worked perfectly.

With my 75 gallon tank I put a piece of crown moulding around the rim of the tank. Basically making the rim go down about 1 inch lower. A larger piece of trim/moulding, and the rim would have gone down further still. You can try something that. By making the rim bigger, it gives the aquarium more of a boxed-in picture frame look (some people like it, some don't) I love the way my 75 gallon turned out. You can see it in my signature. Just check out the asian themed aquarium stand.

If you are dead set on raising the hob, then yes, this is a DIY project as far as I know. I've never seen anything that is designed for raising a HOB. But honestly, like blazingwolf said earlier, grab some acrylic/plexi/wood/foam, and some silicone. My caveat to that is this: get some graphed paper, pencil, eraser, and ruler/measuring tape. Draw an idea. Not to scale or anything, just something you think will support your HOB the way you want your HOB supported. Once you have the basic idea, plan it out on the graph paper. To scale, preferably. Once it's on the graph paper, imagine tipping the hob with your hand in every direction. What do you have in place to keep it from tipping? Figure out where you'll add a little bit of support. Once the plan is finished, start cutting and gluing.

Or just deal with the lower water level until you've saved up enough for your canister filter.

Or add an extra powerhead...

i'm not skilled like that. lol i wish i was.

[Bluek24a4]

Im pretty sure thats a Fluval filter, what I did to raise my Fluval C2 was I used two bottle caps off a Poland Spring bottle, one on each side. I wedged them into that crevice between the outflow and the media compartment. That way they rest on the rim instead of the filter itself.

[Aquatic Delight]

Originally Posted by Bluek24a4

Im pretty sure thats a Fluval filter, what I did to raise my Fluval C2 was I used two bottle caps off a Poland Spring bottle, one on each side. I wedged them into that crevice between the outflow and the media compartment. That way they rest on the rim instead of the filter itself.

you are correct it sure is. I though i had mentioned that in the first post lol, but i didn't. is it pretty sturdy like that?

[HD Blazingwolf]

those type filtes usually have a leveling device on the bottom. that keeps pressure on the rim. i'd say u can raise that 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch easily and everything still be fine.
i raised my aquaclear on my 10 when i had it merely by setting the bottom edge of the outflow on the rim. never so much as budged

rim was like the one in ur tank, a two level i just set it on the first lower level. stayed right where i wanted it to

[Aquatic Delight]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

those type filtes usually have a leveling device on the bottom. that keeps pressure on the rim. i'd say u can raise that 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch easily and everything still be fine.
i raised my aquaclear on my 10 when i had it merely by setting the bottom edge of the outflow on the rim. never so much as budged

rim was like the one in ur tank, a two level i just set it on the first lower level. stayed right where i wanted it to

lol i can't believe i never thought to try that lol. it works good for now. i'll have to pick up some water tonight and see if i can raise the water enough.

[Diana]

Put a strip of acrylic over the outlet so that the water is directed down. This keeps the HOB in place. One way of holding the acrylic in place is with zip ties. Drill small holes in parts of the filter above the water.

[TwoTacoCombo]

Powerhead + downward-facing spraybar + ??? = Profit!

[Aquatic Delight]

Originally Posted by TwoTacoCombo

Powerhead + downward-facing spraybar + ??? = Profit!

was trying to avoid spending a bunch of money since i am going to be buying a canister filter in a month or so.