Equipment Review and Discussion :: Bottom current exhaust/intake idea for filter setups

[KevinG]

It seams that most of the waste my current filter setup does not get is the stuff that settles on the bottom. I have a typical setup with an intake strainer on a pipe about 2" from the bottom, and a vertical exhaust pipe with multiple holes.

I want to create a setup where the intake and exhaust pipes rest along the bottom of the tank, at each end. This will create a current along the bottom and keep the bottom of the tank clean. Has anyone else tried this setup?

Second, can abs or pvc pipe be used? Is one recommended over the other? I would use pvc, which is regularly available, but the white color will look horrible in the tank. I want to find pipe I can use that has a darker color that will be less obvious.

[mike hill]

K-nG You will need a larger pump to stir up the poop. Most of us clean the poo out when it gets too much. You will need at least a 10x volume exchange to get a decent swirl in the water for what you want. I have a 350 gph on a 29 gallon and it keeps the water stirred up for that, but you will have to be careful and keep your turtles from getting stuck to the suction side.

[KevinG]

Woo Hoo! It worked! The bottom current idea has kept the bottom of our tank nice and clean. It's been about a 4-5 weeks we've had our 5" RES in a 125 gallon tank with this setup and the bottom of the tank is nice and clean! You can see a gentle current from one side of the tank to the other. I'm using an XP3 filter.

I'm messing around now with some other features, but you can see the basic setup here. And yes, I did put the priming cap in the wrong place. All the parts to do this are available at any hardware store. I didn't glue any of the connections below the water line. I might do it later, but for the first run keeping them pressed together only is fine just in case I need to make any adjustments.





Make sure if you do this to put the removable cap on the other side. It needs to be on the back side of the tank so when you dump the water in to prime it, it goes down the hose to the filter.

[tammy2010]

what kind of filter do you have

[KevinG]

I'm running an xp3 now, but an xp4 is coming soon.

[papoopeepoo]

Nice idea. Remember that all those bends and small outtake holes will slow down output of the filter, and its impeller will be working harder to do the same amount of filtering.

[savage Rock]

KevinG,

Great work! That is such an awesome idea. I have been looking EVERYWHERE to find a cheap and efficient way to keep the waste settling in my turtle tank.

I too have a XP3 filter in a 75 gallon tank.

I soppose you just recreated the intake nozzle / spray bar so that it reached the bottom.

Could you by any chance give me measurements on your PVC pipe and any other materials you used to create that amazing work?

Thanks a million

Savvy

[KevinG]

Nice idea. Remember that all those bends and small outtake holes will slow down output of the filter, and its impeller will be working harder to do the same amount of filtering.

A standard Rena XP setup already has 2 bends in it. And the surface area of the holes in the pipe are larger than a typical strainer or output with holes in it. So I would have to dis-agree with your statement.

[KevinG]

KevinG,

Great work! That is such an awesome idea. I have been looking EVERYWHERE to find a cheap and efficient way to keep the waste settling in my turtle tank.

I too have a XP3 filter in a 75 gallon tank.

I soppose you just recreated the intake nozzle / spray bar so that it reached the bottom.

Could you by any chance give me measurements on your PVC pipe and any other materials you used to create that amazing work?

Thanks a million

Savvy

Hey Savvy, pretty much you have to make this to size for your tank. I doubt my dimensions will work for you. Go out and get schedule 40 pipe, I forget what the size it is, but there is only one size that will fit on the hose for the rena. Bring a small piece of hose with you to find the right size pipe. The pipe will be a little big, so I used a file to make a chamfer on the end of the pipe to help get the hose on. When you make the setup, don't glue anything until you've made sure everything is fitting properly. You'll use a hack saw to cut the pipe. Also, always cut the pipe a little long. If you need to make it shorter you can always cut more off, you can't add more on!

Just go to lowes and find someone there and they will help you get all the pieces you need including the glue. Take pictures with you, that will help them to identify all the parts you need.

The only item on this setup that is not store bought from Lowes or Home depot are the clamps on the bottom, they are fluval tubing holders like this:

http://www.fluvalparts.com/servlet/the-89/1216/Detail

This has been running for months now with no issues and it keeps the poo from building up on the bottom. It's been working like a charm!

[savage Rock]

thanks kevinG!

it should be done in a week so and im going to film a video..

i have one more question, what did you use for your priming cap?

[seano997]

Hmm, nice idea. I might look into doing something like this.