Loaches Online Forum

I stopped at Home Depot today on my way home from work, I found everything I needed to plumb the rivertank for the vannies. I came away under 40 bucks so far, I need to back and get a few more elbows but I got substrate and all the pipe I need, now on to the aquaclear powerheads.

I'll post pictures as I start to put all the pieces together.

Hooray - another convert. Building the manifold is rather fun. And they work - they really work! I look forward to the photos.

Sounds good! Looking forward to the pictures.

Now for some pictures!

This is the pre-filter I chose at Home Depot.


This is the structure under the foam.


This is the intake end.


This is where the powerheads will get attached


This is a top view.


More photos to come as this project progresses.

Any questions or comments appreciated.
Tom

I would only make one comment but to be honest it doesnt really make a difference to your setup as it wouldnt fit, but when I first set up my manifold I had the pipe spanning the main pipes from front to back like yours but I found when I changed it to run from end to end in the middle it added to the stability of the manifold and I found a slight increase in flow from the powerhead.

Otherwise looking good

My original design, had a pipe going up the middle with a 3rd pre-filter, like you said, it wont fit in that tank. So far, I have a total of $20 invested in this including gravel, tank, plumbing, and pre-filters. All I need now is 2 AC powerheads. I'm so excited, I've got the hillstream bug bad

Just wondering, but why are you getting aquaclear powerheads? SEIO is much better longterm and they put out much more flow than ACs. Maybe you don't want too much flow though?
This is what I'm talking about.

Also, it may not connect to the pipes as well...
I just thought I'd say it lasts better and puts out more flow.
Oh, and theseare good too.

n3ont3tra wrote:Just wondering, but why are you getting aquaclear powerheads? SEIO is much better longterm and they put out much more flow than ACs. Maybe you don't want too much flow though?
This is what I'm talking about.

Well the SEIO will not hook up to the manifold first off, secondly I have great luck with Aquaclear/Hagen filters. The are also easily obtainable from my LFS and I like to be able to look at something before I buy it.

I will keep an eye on this thread, looks very interesting

Whatever floats your boat. It'll still be awesome, though, can't wait to see it finished.

tglassburner wrote:

n3ont3tra wrote:Just wondering, but why are you getting aquaclear powerheads? SEIO is much better longterm and they put out much more flow than ACs. Maybe you don't want too much flow though?
This is what I'm talking about.

Well the SEIO will not hook up to the manifold first off, secondly I have great luck with Aquaclear/Hagen filters. The are also easily obtainable from my LFS and I like to be able to look at something before I buy it.

I always used the Aquaclear tube filters over the manifold intakes in my tank and there is no reduction in flow. If the intake pipe within the filter has adequate "holes" I don't believe that a different sponge brand or density would make a lot of difference. The powerheads set the speed of flow. Other aspects don't really affect the flow by contributing drag or resistance, IMO.

Soon as I looked at this I thought "No room for a third longitudal bar". This does give more potential for decor pinning the structure down, but with a narrow tank there's only so much room.

n3ont3tra, I have a Seio 1500 gph pump in my Clown tank. They are wonderfully powerful pumps that distribute their outflow very evenly which reduces buffeting compared with a conventional powerhead. However, their design completely precludes their use on this type of setup.
Aquaclears are highly effective, reliable and easy to hook up to the manifold. I have 2 802s that have been running continuously in my River-Tank, with almost no maintenance since 2001.

Martin.

Looking Good!

This is how the AC will be fitted to the 3/4" piping.


This is after the AC part was screwed onto the PVC 3/4x1/2 adapter.


This is both AC50s (formerly 402) Installed and manifold covered with pea gravel and some small river pebbles.


I think it's looking good. Thanks for an easy to follow plan Martin.

I'll post more pics soon.
Tom

looking good. what size tank is that?