Simple Fluval 04 model output

mm12463 · 03-04-2004, 02:16 AM

The output nozzle for the Fluval 04s sucks. Too much surface disturbance. Just don't like it. So I picked up one of these T connectors at the hardware store. Fits right in the tubing. Sprays both ways and is about 2 inches below the surface. I have mine placed in the middle of my tank it seems to circulate the water better and doesn't blow the plants over.

Mini4x · 03-04-2004, 12:10 PM

Can you step up to the spraybar or make your own. Very even water flow across the entire tank.

cich · 03-04-2004, 07:59 PM

I'm going out today to get one of those! Funny how a ~50 cent item works SO much better than that terrible output! I can have my water level at the TOP of the tank and its still just below the water making the surface look like river rapids :P.

mm12463 · 03-04-2004, 08:19 PM

I was thinking of a way to do a spray bar. They do not include them anymore and not sure they even make it as an add on piece. The old 03 models did and I love it. For now I am happy with this do-dad, circulates the water great. But if I get to it I might make one.

And yes it is amazing what a 50 cent piece can do.

cich · 03-04-2004, 08:41 PM

Went out and got one, although it doesn't make a snug fit, so I just used a rubber band to hold it on. It's nice to see the surface calm again.

--cich

**GDominy** · 03-04-2004, 11:10 PM

heh.. The fluval output works great if you lower it 4" below the surface of the water... I still use mine.

I "HATE" the hoses and how they get into the tank though... I can't believe manufacturers still use suction cups instead of decent rim clamps.. Thats the one good thing about the Magnum 350 I have.. the Intake/output assembly is great.

cich · 03-04-2004, 11:17 PM

yeah... I don't even use the suction cups. They came off the third day.
I can't get my input 4" below the water, because as it lowers, it gets looser and looser until it just falls out.

--cich

cich · 03-05-2004, 12:58 AM

Just wanted to add one more thing. I rolled up about 2 squares of paper towel and wedged it between the hoses and the back glass of the tank, close to the top. This will snug the intake tube right against the glass in the tank without the need for suction cups. Hope I explained myself well enough...

**pineapple** · 03-05-2004, 02:20 PM

As the comment above says, "those hoses" are a pain.

The suction cups Fluval provides to hold the hoses to the back side of the aquarium are not a very good solution either. If you, as I do, paint the back of the aquarium with acrylic paint and a mini roller, the surface is not flat/slick enough to hold the suction cup. If Fluval provided some innovative clips of some type to hold the hoses to the top of the frame, it would be a great help.

Also, the colour of the input end of the filter and output end is not very good: grey. Either transparent (like the input tube) or some other subtle colour would be much better. Blue grey is useless.

It always amazes me that companies with success and money are simply unable to provide the useful common-sense innovations we all need.

Such is life.

Andrew

03-04-2004, 02:16 AM	#1
mm12463 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 111	The output nozzle for the Fluval 04s sucks. Too much surface disturbance. Just don't like it. So I picked up one of these T connectors at the hardware store. Fits right in the tubing. Sprays both ways and is about 2 inches below the surface. I have mine placed in the middle of my tank it seems to circulate the water better and doesn't blow the plants over. __________________ Mike http://fish.silver-fox.us

03-04-2004, 08:19 PM	#4
mm12463 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 111	I was thinking of a way to do a spray bar. They do not include them anymore and not sure they even make it as an add on piece. The old 03 models did and I love it. For now I am happy with this do-dad, circulates the water great. But if I get to it I might make one. And yes it is amazing what a 50 cent piece can do. __________________ Mike http://fish.silver-fox.us

03-04-2004, 11:10 PM	#6
GDominy Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Victoria,British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,276	heh.. The fluval output works great if you lower it 4" below the surface of the water... I still use mine. I "HATE" the hoses and how they get into the tank though... I can't believe manufacturers still use suction cups instead of decent rim clamps.. Thats the one good thing about the Magnum 350 I have.. the Intake/output assembly is great. __________________ Gareth

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03-04-2004, 12:10 PM	#2
Mini4x Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Watertown, MA Posts: 217	Can you step up to the spraybar or make your own. Very even water flow across the entire tank.

03-04-2004, 07:59 PM	#3
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	I'm going out today to get one of those! Funny how a ~50 cent item works SO much better than that terrible output! I can have my water level at the TOP of the tank and its still just below the water making the surface look like river rapids :P.

03-04-2004, 08:41 PM	#5
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	Went out and got one, although it doesn't make a snug fit, so I just used a rubber band to hold it on. It's nice to see the surface calm again. --cich

03-04-2004, 11:17 PM	#7
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	yeah... I don't even use the suction cups. They came off the third day. I can't get my input 4" below the water, because as it lowers, it gets looser and looser until it just falls out. --cich

03-05-2004, 12:58 AM	#8
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	Just wanted to add one more thing. I rolled up about 2 squares of paper towel and wedged it between the hoses and the back glass of the tank, close to the top. This will snug the intake tube right against the glass in the tank without the need for suction cups. Hope I explained myself well enough...

03-05-2004, 02:20 PM	#9
pineapple Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (40/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 328	As the comment above says, "those hoses" are a pain. The suction cups Fluval provides to hold the hoses to the back side of the aquarium are not a very good solution either. If you, as I do, paint the back of the aquarium with acrylic paint and a mini roller, the surface is not flat/slick enough to hold the suction cup. If Fluval provided some innovative clips of some type to hold the hoses to the top of the frame, it would be a great help. Also, the colour of the input end of the filter and output end is not very good: grey. Either transparent (like the input tube) or some other subtle colour would be much better. Blue grey is useless. It always amazes me that companies with success and money are simply unable to provide the useful common-sense innovations we all need. Such is life. Andrew