My First DIY Attempt, Spraybar\Intake, tell me what you think?

OK well ive always been into mods of anykind so I figured I would try this first..... I figure I would include as many pics as possible because in my searching I wish I had more to reference. hope this helps out!

-Custom Spraybar & Intake Strainer Systems.
Ive been looking into getting a canister filter for some time but never with any real hurry due to my HOB filter and power head doing an ok job, I ran into a friend who was selling off equipment from his fish store and he offered me 2 Rena XP3's for $80!!! I had to get them, only problem was he couldnt find the accessory trays with intake, output parts.... so off to building I go!! I did a crapload of research, with both pro built and DIY stuff and took as much as possible from all I saw!!! so after weeks of forums and sites, and about $25-$30 in total here it is!

First thing I built was the spray bar because it would be sitting close to the back of the tank and I would build the intakes to rest on this.... I used 3\4" PVC and a 5\8" barbed fitting with a coupler to fit the PVC. I also decided to use a ball valve to be able to adjust the spray bar flow. the XP3 is a bit of overkill for my little 29gal! lol

I drilled the holes smallest near the valve end and went bigger every 5 or so toward the capped end, reason being is the water finds the path of least resistance so this should result in a fairly even spray, ill check it and update as need be, also I made sure to use another DIY idea I saw to use the PVC shape to be self supporting, I give no credit to anyone for this idea because I saw at least 3 people claim it was their idea...


Next I moved on to the intake strainer, this was a bit tricky, I had to build it around the spray bar, and still have them both be self supporting,


I added a T with a screw cap on top onto each side at the highest point, this way it would be easy to make sure there is no air in the line when I start up the filter.

the only pre made parts I bought for this was 2 Fluval 3\4" strainers with ball valves to prevent backflow... The strainers did not fit perfectly so I just used extra glue and let it sit for a day, also used the same size barbed fitting.... you can see here how I wanted both pieces to fit together, they don't move much, but I might zip tie the elbows together in the back to make it more sturdy after painting, and as for painting I'm going to use krylon fusion, and let it cure for 10-14 days, from what I hear it should be fine...

at first I was going to include measurements, but then decided not to due to the diff size tanks and so on, it should give you a general idea of what I did..... well that's it for this one,

I painted it and I'm waiting to cure! ill update after I have it installed and working!

ill also be doing a light mod thread as well, I have pics on my profile but I figured I should include a description of how it was wired since its covered in the pics!

well I'm glad I could add to the forum! I hope its appreciated, please tell me what you think!!!

 

looks really good. I may end up copying some of your designs, I have been thinking about building a DIY canister for my own 29 gallon and the spray bar was going to be a puzzler. my only concern with your design is all the 90* angles you have, I have heard that an angle that sharp greatly cuts down on your flow. probably wouldnt be an issue for you considering the filter your using tho.

looks good, keep up updated

 

yeah, I thought about the sharp elbows, but like you said my filter is overkill so I don't mind the drop in flow.... I am however going to be building one for my other XP3 and a 55gal, and thought about using 45deg elbows instead of 90deg?? don't know it that will make much of a diff though??? lol.... thanks for the comments!

 

if you could build a very similar setup using 45*'s instead of 90*'s then you could do a very similar side-by-side comparison to see if there is any difference.

 

Nice piece of work corycalogero! Looks great! Can't wait to see it working (get ready to upload a vid!)

You mention that you painted the PVC. What type and color of paint did you use?

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

You just gave me an idea to work with my Magnum 350.

 

Nice piece of work corycalogero! Looks great! Can't wait to see it working (get ready to upload a vid!)

You mention that you painted the PVC. What type and color of paint did you use?

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Yeah after looking into it the only paint that seemed safe to use in the water was "KRYLON FUSION" for plastics... it seems that instead of just a layer of paint it somehow bonds to the plastic itself..... read a few articles of how store keepers us it on their intakes and filters with no problems..... suggested that I wait 2 weeks to cure, then ill try it in one of my spare tanks just to make sure no chipping occurs.... I used black... I bit to glossy for me but its better than white!!!

 

if you could build a very similar setup using 45*'s instead of 90*'s then you could do a very similar side-by-side comparison to see if there is any difference.

ill actually do that a bit later on for my 55, but before I set that up, ill build a spare set for my other 29 with 45s for you guys (and myself out of curiousity!lol) so I can show an accurate side by side, same filters, media, empty tanks.....

 

awesome man! if you don't like how shiny the black is, maybe you could get away with a light sanding on it. if the paint does indeed bond to the pvc it shouldnt cause any issues and it will make it a little duller depending on how much you sand.

 

awesome man! if you don't like how shiny the black is, maybe you could get away with a light sanding on it. if the paint does indeed bond to the pvc it shouldnt cause any issues and it will make it a little duller depending on how much you sand.

yeah this thing has been driving me CRAZY!!!! it works put keeps pulling air in no matter how many times I prime or how well..... the sharp turns suck!!! lol DONT MAKE THIS!!! .... but seriously I'm going to downsize the pipe to 1\2" and use bent fittings instead of 90s..... I was so hopefull! live and learn eh?

 

HI corycalogero I just read your thread and if you still need the spray bar and in take tray for rena filstar filters here is a link for the parts for rene filters...
Hope this helps Rob

LINK

 

HI corycalogero I just read your thread and if you still need the spray bar and in take tray for rena filstar filters here is a link for the parts for rene filters...
Hope this helps Rob

LINK

thanks for the heads up.... I actually ordered 2 of the parts trays 2 days ago from pet blvd for almost half that price, just so I can use the filters! I guess its the principle now, I wanted a custom set for my set up, I have to figure out a way to make it work!!!!! lol can't let it beat me

 

I bet its pulling air in through a leak in your pipe-work. did you seal the pieces together?

 

I bet its pulling air in through a leak in your pipe-work. did you seal the pieces together?

yeah, I sealed it once and then again from the outside with a plastic bonding cement then painted it..... I honestly think its just bad flow sloshing the water around and air pockets in the "self supporting" bends.....