What's a good filter output that would fit my filter?

852 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by cooledwhip, Feb 24, 2017

cooledwhip

Discussion Starter · Feb 17, 2017

I have a "national geographic" filter which is basically a rebrand of the Eheim ecco. I scored it for $33 on sale, down from $110. It's good for up to like 70 gallons I think and I'm using it on my 10 gallon aquascape so it's very rough on my plants and really swirls up the tank. It doesn't hinder growth but the plants kinda don't grow straight up. What are good filter outputs I can get? I'm thinking a spray bar since any single nozzle would be too much. What's a good, cheap spray bar? I think the tubing is the same width and length as the eheim series... half an inch.

I had an old eheim spray bar from an eheim 2213 and I stuck that on the tubing and it fit, there was just no way to mount it to the tank. Thanks

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Dman911

· #2 · Feb 17, 2017

You can buy suction cups for a couple bucks and just drill out the holes on the spray bar until you get the desired flow.

Dan

Bump: If that's not your thing I am a fan of the Aqua Clear HoB's and they are easy to maintain and replacement parts are easy to get.

Dan

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cooledwhip

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 17, 2017

Dman911 said:
You can buy suction cups for a couple bucks and just drill out the holes on the spray bar until you get the desired flow.

Dan

Bump: If that's not your thing I am a fan of the Aqua Clear HoB's and they are easy to maintain and replacement parts are easy to get.

Dan

I'll probably modify something or DIY rig something up. I have the spray bar, I just gotta figure out how to get the flow from the tube coming off the filter to hook up to the hard plastic on the spray bar.

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PlantedRich

· #4 · Feb 17, 2017

Does your filter have a valve, etc. that could be closed [part way to reduce the flow? I find spray bars can be a bit on nuisance and don't really like the result as they can work against what I'm wanting. The water from a large hole will come out at a slower velocity that it does when squeezed through lots of smaller holes.
When faced with the choices and the flow is messing with my plants, I lean toward reducing flow or diverters.
On the question of what might fit, you might take a look at changing the in/out pipes to Sunsun pipes. I find they are very cheap and fit fine on my Ehiem tubing. I am finding the intake with skimmer to be a far better choice for me to get a skimmer.

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MtAnimals

· #5 · Feb 18, 2017

cooledwhip said:
I'll probably modify something or DIY rig something up. I have the spray bar, I just gotta figure out how to get the flow from the tube coming off the filter to hook up to the hard plastic on the spray bar.

I've used plastic tubing from the hardware store...that stuff will usually stretch quite a bit when you use the hot water trick.To reduce flow,I've drilled the holes out larger with the next size larger drill bit,and continue that way a size at a time until you get it slowed to what you want.

also,spraybar kits are sold on ebay pretty reasonable,I have one I hooked up to a rena filter in place of the nozzle,plus drilled the holes on a short section to reduce the flow.

I think the one I bought was called like a "rainbar kit" or something in broken english,works well.

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MChambers

· #6 · Feb 19, 2017

Be careful on this. I think the instructions on the Eccos caution you about filter output choices, because the filters aren't built to handle a lot of pressure. I think you'd be better off turning down the output valve.

Bump: Be careful on this. I think the instructions on the Eccos caution you about filter output choices, because the filters aren't built to handle a lot of pressure. I think you'd be better off turning down the output valve.

Bump: Inadvertent bump! Sorry about that.

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cooledwhip

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 19, 2017

MChambers said:
Be careful on this. I think the instructions on the Eccos caution you about filter output choices, because the filters aren't built to handle a lot of pressure. I think you'd be better off turning down the output valve.

Bump: Be careful on this. I think the instructions on the Eccos caution you about filter output choices, because the filters aren't built to handle a lot of pressure. I think you'd be better off turning down the output valve.

Bump: Inadvertent bump! Sorry about that.

Uh oh really?

I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00025675K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and turned down flow. It has been going for about 12 hours right now with this reduced flow.

Turning down the output valve? What?

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MChambers

· #8 · Feb 20, 2017

On the Eccos, you can reduce the output flow by turning the lever on the quick release part of the filter (where the tubing and canister connect).

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cooledwhip

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 22, 2017

MChambers said:
On the Eccos, you can reduce the output flow by turning the lever on the quick release part of the filter (where the tubing and canister connect).

Didn't even think of that. Thanks. I had purchased an actual ball valve to control it.. I feel really stupid now.

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MChambers

· #10 · Feb 23, 2017

You'll find a use of the valve, sooner or later!

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cooledwhip

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 24, 2017

MChambers said:
You'll find a use of the valve, sooner or later!

Ok Now I have everything set up and I need to know how to actually run the co2. How much should I have the valves be open? Should I have the tank valve be open fully and the others just slighter and slighter? Or should I have them all be about opened up the same? How many bubbles per second should I have? or how many bubbles every # of seconds? I can leave this on overnight and stuff right? I have the solenoid and timer. I have it go on an hour before lights come on and hour before lights go off. I just need to know how many bubbles I should have going and how much I should keep the different valves open. Thanks

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