55 Gallon Tank Elevating an undergravel filter

I'm getting ready to tear down my 55 gallon, move it to another room.

I'm planning to set up a plenum using a Lee's undergravel filter plate.

I'd like to elevate the filter plate a little higher and would like to know what I can use for spacers that are cheap and won't require me to use power tools.

 

Stainless-steel nuts or washers seem like an option.

 

I'm looking at ½" nylon spacers.

 

I'm looking at ½" nylon spacers.

Nylon was my other thought. Either one should be fairly cheap at a hardware store.

 

My other thought was to buy a piece of PVC pipe and cut small ¾" pieces from it. But getting all the pieces exactly the same height is going to be tough.

 

My other thought was to buy a piece of PVC pipe and cut small ¾" pieces from it. But getting all the pieces exactly the same height is going to be tough.

Maybe could work if you got some smaller diameter pvc or pex pipe and cut in half length-wise. But that would be pretty tough too if you don't have a table saw.

 

This might be too tall (@1-19/32") for what you're looking for, but it's already cut to size.

429-005 - Spears 429-005 - 1/2" PVC Schedule 40 Coupling (supplyhouse.com)

Schedule 40 White (spearsmfg.com)

You might check if there are other (pre-cut) Schedule 40 items that could work.

 

This might be too tall (@1-19/32") for what you're looking for, but it's already cut to size.

429-005 - Spears 429-005 - 1/2" PVC Schedule 40 Coupling (supplyhouse.com)

Schedule 40 White (spearsmfg.com)

You might check if there are other (pre-cut) Schedule 40 items that could work.

It appears a trip to Home Depot may be in order.

 

It appears a trip to Home Depot may be in order.

If you ask me, a trip to any hardware store is always in order!

 

My other thought was to buy a piece of PVC pipe and cut small ¾" pieces from it. But getting all the pieces exactly the same height is going to be tough.

You might solve the height issue by using identical PVC pipe fittings. For example, 1/2 " PCV caps might be suitable. You could also cut lengths of PVC pipe and lay it under the filter trays. The OD of 1/2" PCV pipe will be close to 3/4". If you want greater elevation, use larger diameter pipe.