We had to get a new filter for the turtle tank because the H.O.B. Whisper filters were not cutting it. They would sludge up and stop working every few days, and wouldn't clean the water even when they WERE working. The water was filthy, and so was the turtle.
New filter! However, the Magnum H.O.T. clearly is not designed for low-level applications. The outlet only reaches a few inches into the tank, and there is not another type available from the manufacturer. (there is an INTAKE extension, go figure).
OH NOES!
Less dramatic, but it still won't cut the mustard.
(edit: I realize it looks like the electrical outlets are RIGHT behind the aquarium...they're not. They're about 6" back)
So I went to Lowes and picked up some CPVC and spray paint, problem solved for about $6.
The filter outlet fits 3/4" CPVC fittings very tightly, no glue is required. I used a coupling ($0.80) connected to a length of pipe ($2.07 for 5ft) with some holes drilled near the bottom (free!) to make a spray bar. The end of the pipe is capped ($0.80).
I then painted it black with Krylon Fusion. I think it's aquarium safe, but I'm not worried with a reptile because they have greater resistance to toxins than anything else.
You can make any shape you want, I chose to keep it simple.
NOTE: You MUST use 3/4 or larger! 1/2 is too small and water blows out from the elbow joint...I learned the hard way :-(
Drilling holes without a bench vice.
The new filter stirring up all the poo left by the old filters, nice current!
The tanks is 20L...I wish we could get a larger tank, no money though.
Last edited by Tavel; October 11th, 2009 at 12:25 AM.
Male Painted Turtle. The filters stay fairly clean if you don't feed the turtle in the tank...but a separate feeding tank is a lot of work and mess, we had to give it up.
Hello Tavel. Great DIY project! Thanks for sharing. I have a HOT that I use with the micron filter from time to time. I really like it.
Let us know how things are going.
Ken
Thanks Ken! There is a little blowout from that collet once i raised the water level back to max...I might have to put some more holes in the spraybar.
EDIT: Added two more holes and the blowout stopped.
(the Pics yesterday showed the water at almost minimum...it loses that much in a week!)
FINISHED!
I wanted to let the paint cure for 24 hours before I put it in the tank. The paint instructions say "dry to touch in 1 hour"...but does that also mean "dry to get wet in 1 hour?"
The turtle sticks his head into the output...maybe it feels good? hahaha
Last edited by Tavel; October 11th, 2009 at 10:54 PM.
I have an aquaclear 50 HOB filter in my 30 gallon red eared slider tank. It keep it crystal clear, no problem. I only do any kind of major work on it maybe one every two months. I run it with a sponge, filter floss, and bio rings. The only problem with it is that the waterfall effect is a little noisy. I would love to do something like this to eliminate it, but I dont see how yo could on an AC.
As for evaporation, yes mine evaporates a ton too. I rigged up a plexi lid (at least the best I could with all the lighting, filter, etc going on) and it has drasticaly improved the situation.
the filters clogged with food particles, so it really depends on how messy the turtles are. My turtle is ferocious and makes huge clouds of dust as he tears the pellets apart with his claws.
Here's my solution to the waterfall problem. It will actually look nicer on the aqua clear because they have a nice flat surface for mounting the plastic. I used plexiglass.
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