[MeCasa]

I know a lot of folks have worked at hiding intakes. I agree that a tall plant will work wonders but I still want to do away with black tubes.

Originally I planned on wrapping the tubes with cheesecloth soaked in a light fert, wrapped with a course foam and then seeded with moss but one of my tubes wouldn't look good like this so has anybody tried using these?

 

[buckwheet]

yup!

that looks a little thick, I used 16th wall 3/4" I.D.
drill some holes along the length to equal at least whatever tube size
you have now, cap the bottom. good to go!

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/plastic_rods_tubes_shapes/clear_acrylic_tubes/141

you can bend it to, fill the tube with fine sand.
and use a heat gun (or just a hair dryer) so it don't fold


oh, makes a nice spray bar also roud:

it's not like you can't see it anymore, but your eye is less drawn to it.

 

[MeCasa]

It's heavy because that's all I could find on ebay more than 12" long, not a problem anymore because you're link is just what the doctor ordered.

I also never thought about drilling holes, I started using the stock intake bottom (with added cover) and it fits inside the 1" coupling, transitioning to the new pipe. I can see both good and bad traits of both methods. Drilling is definitely more cosmetic and gives serious draw. While using the stock end helps me keep the intake low in the tank and allows me to build a designated 'clean up area.

Using the left over material and drilling it to build a spray bar is a very good idea, I may even double down and make a bar that attaches to one of my 1140's which I use to move water. I know just the place....

Thanks

PS: I like the moss centerpiece. What moss is it and do you have problems with spreading. I don't want a planted bottom, I have quartz sand so spreading is going to be a concern if I use the wrong moss.

 

[buckwheet]

glad that link helped!


Christmas moss.
I keep it trimmed tight, I use a small gravel cleaner to siphon as I clip.
so not too many strays.

trying to find pic of the spray bar I made with that tubing.
if I do i'll post it.
oh, and if you make a spray bar. start with smaller holes at the hose input.
and move up in drill size as you go along for a more uniform flow.
trust me on this one...........lol
two 40 inch pieces to figure that one out.

 

[lauraleellbp]

There's some old threads in the DIY forum on how to make acrylic lily pipes, may be some helpful info in them.