Water Bridge

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

Hello Everyone!

In the traumatic aftermath of final exams, I got creative (green is not a creative color), and connected my 20 long to a new used 10 gallon tank. Unfortunately, because the tanks are at different heights, I can't fill the 10 gallon completely. Still the fish, particularly the female betta have been zooming back and forth as they please.

I'm sharing this with you all for your opinion as to what I should do

1. Purchase a 29 gallon via Petco's $/gal sale, and keep the tanks connected (this will allow me to fill the 10 gallon almost completely, to use the same stand for the 20 long, and to shorten a little the pipe length.

2. Turn the 10 gallon into a shallow riparium.

3. Disconnect the tanks.

4. Something else?

Here is a silly link of one of my fish exploring the bridge, and also showcases this impromptu situation:

DoubleDutch · May 4, 2016

One word : AWESOME !!!!

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

Thank you!!! Do you have any thoughts one what I should do?

el337 · May 4, 2016

OMG, this is the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time! What a show!

Edit: I vote to keep the water bridge!

DoubleDutch · May 4, 2016

I'd make it a shallow riparium. She is loving it !

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

OMG, this is the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time! What a show!

Edit: I vote to keep the water bridge!

Thank you!! I literally danced aroud the room after she swam through the first time (first part of vid).

And thank you for your vote!

I'd make it a shallow riparium. She is loving it !

Thank you for the vote! She does seem to be relishing the new area.

trigon33 · May 4, 2016

That is definitely an awesome idea. I may need to try something like that one day. (Also love your reference)

Aquaphobia · May 4, 2016

That was fantastic! Pity that the epic music ended just before she emerged back into the home tank, like the soundtrack to a triumphant homecoming

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

That is definitely an awesome idea. I may need to try something like that one day. (Also love your reference)

Thank you! It is definitely interesting to try and set-up -- more of a two person job (or in my case a one person job with a lot of plastic wrap). (thank you hehehe that video scarred me).

That was fantastic! Pity that the epic music ended just before she emerged back into the home tank, like the soundtrack to a triumphant homecoming

Hooray! I'm glad you liked it!

I knooow. My video editing skills are very, VeRy limited. I was going for epic timing, and it just didn't . . . quite . . . make it.

Aquaphobia · May 4, 2016

That's ok, the epicness of the setup makes up for it and then some!

Aquarium Newb · May 4, 2016

Wow this is a super awesome idea! If I get a second tank a water bridge would be a cool addition!

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

That's ok, the epicness of the setup makes up for it and then some!

Thanks! You all are perpetually inspiring and informative -- I definitely did some problem solving regarding water bridges in this forum's archives, and I've been following yor betta adventures.

Wow this is a super awesome idea! If I get a second tank a water bridge would be a cool addition!

Thank you! It's pretty cool to watch. So far:

Pros:

- Awesome to see fish swim through it
- Cool to see where fish are hanging out
- Fish like bettas seem to understand the idea of "go through pipe - get to other tank," but

Cons:
- some fish (ie. the female guppies heading to the office tank tomorrow) swim through the tube and then get scared/stressed/lose color, and they haven't yet figured out how to go back. I've been periodically putting them back in the 20 long.

Greenplant · May 4, 2016

If I didn't see it I wouldn't have believed it. There aren't any other words to say! Awesome idea!

Kalyn · May 4, 2016

Thank you!

Do y'all have any votes as to my course of action?

I added a poll to make it easier!

Aquaphobia · May 4, 2016

Ack! I couldn't decide between the first 2 options so I didn't vote! All I could say for sure was definitely NOT option #3

I really enjoyed seeing your betta go through the bridge. Hesitant on the way out, checking out the new landscape, then zooming back! Looked like she was having fun and very comfortable with the adventure If I were to make a bridge for my fishies I know for sure that my sorority girls would have fun exploring it, and so would Eddy the Angel, but my tetras would be scared and confused.

Damien808 · May 4, 2016

this was the coolest thing ever lol. the riparium sounds like a cool idea.

cichlidman · May 5, 2016

nice! I considered making one out of glass in between 2 20 longs but I got busy and forgot all about it

scottishduck · May 5, 2016

I voted for Something Else.

Whether you go with option 1 or option 2, my Something Else would be to get something bigger to connect the tanks.

My coworker last week told me a story about a guy that had a saltwater tank in his living room and another one in his bedroom and a few others around the house. He connected them ALL by (clear, maybe) 6" tubing and the fish would follow him around the house. I'm not saying do that.

What I am suggesting is to get a bigger diameter to connect the tanks, or build your own, so that the fish can turn around, so the guppies aren't stressed, and so there are no problems with head on collisions.

Kalyn · May 5, 2016

Ack! I couldn't decide between the first 2 options so I didn't vote! All I could say for sure was definitely NOT option #3

I really enjoyed seeing your betta go through the bridge. Hesitant on the way out, checking out the new landscape, then zooming back! Looked like she was having fun and very comfortable with the adventure If I were to make a bridge for my fishies I know for sure that my sorority girls would have fun exploring it, and so would Eddy the Angel, but my tetras would be scared and confused.

Hehe, yeah! Thank goodness the guppies were already heading to work. I would have had to disconnect the tanks. Ending up in the unfamiliar 10 gallon was way too scary for them, and they couldn't seem to find their way back....

this was the coolest thing ever lol. the riparium sounds like a cool idea.

Thank you!

I voted for Something Else.

Whether you go with option 1 or option 2, my Something Else would be to get something bigger to connect the tanks.

My coworker last week told me a story about a guy that had a saltwater tank in his living room and another one in his bedroom and a few others around the house. He connected them ALL by (clear, maybe) 6" tubing and the fish would follow him around the house. I'm not saying do that.

What I am suggesting is to get a bigger diameter to connect the tanks, or build your own, so that the fish can turn around, so the guppies aren't stressed, and so there are no problems with head on collisions.

Thank you for the input!

These are my current thoughts:
So, at the moment the pipe itself is elliptical -- 2inches by 1 inch. I actually have seen them swim by each other in opposite directions (the betta cruising past the seriously confused guppies), as well as turn around. In fact, when the guppies were in that tank yesterday, that was almost a problem.

They would get turned around. They would swim part way one direction, then turn around and go the other way and just kind of hang out partway through, they also get stuck in the 10 gallon -- unable to make the cognitive leap that would suggest they could get back to the other tank through the pipe. The betta, comparatively, uses it as a causeway. . . .Now that the guppies are no longer in the tank, and I have no similarly confused tank dwellers, I think the stressful passage and stressful destination is somewhat remedied.

As a matter of safety, thus far it is functioning effectively.

Still I would love to have a larger pipe diameter! It would make the other tank more accessible. Do you know where I can find clear piping of a larger diameter? I attempted to find 2-3" circular pipes, but found none at my local hardware store.

Edit: < I'm looking for semI flexible tubing as the tanks are not side-by-side, or something that can be built into an extended u-shape. I haven't watched your video yet; I didn't have time on my lunch break! >

I'm leaning towards upgrading the 20ling, but still waffling.

scottishduck · May 5, 2016

Another suggestion... maybe put the tanks closer together, otherwise make sure the tube is very secure... I would hate for it to come lose and drain your tank from the resulting siphon or dump your fish on the ground.

You can find clear acrylic tubing, but it gets very expensive very fast. If you had the tanks together, you could probably get away with just a few feet and some appropriate PVC elbows.

Kalyn · May 5, 2016

I was thinking about your suggestions, and have some other fish projects in mind .

So to conclude the creative experiment, effectively use aquarium space, be fiscally conservative, be considerate of fish stress, and to make water changes less of a headache, I've temporarily deconstructed the water bridge (but kept the part! .

I'm going to keep shopping around for different styles of pipes in an effort to find the most effective, and stress free (for fish and me) method to perpetuate this concept. I may take a leaf out of Mr. Saltwater Aquarist's book even, and connect a bunch of tanks with 6 inch piping when I have my own living space;D hahahaha!

Thank you for the feedback, and happy fish adventures to all of you :3 Now you know water bridges are a thing ;D And that adventuruous bettas are ultimately unbothered by long passageways to new territories.

Aquaphobia · May 5, 2016

Don't know how well this would stand up to long-term usage but maybe this?

https://www.oneida-air.com/clear-dust-collection-flex-hose-w-wire-helix

Or this one:

Kalyn · May 5, 2016

An excellent idea! The only downside being they're originally crafted for dust collection. I don't know that thyey'd be able to support the weight of water! They're made to avoid collapsing, but I don't know how they'd be at avoiding expansion. . . .

Aquaphobia · May 5, 2016

Hmm...good point. Didn't think of that! I'll keep looking. Something gotta be out there!

shadowfish · May 5, 2016

wow,tight rope walking fish!!!
loved it!!
great idea!!

Kalyn · May 5, 2016

wow,tight rope walking fish!!!
loved it!!
great idea!!

Thank you!

Hmm...good point. Didn't think of that! I'll keep looking. Something gotta be out there!

This could work!:

The only bummer is its muuuuch more flexible than mine. Mine currently takes a lot of ooomph to bend -- that's why I could pretty much just leave it in place. This one would require some additional construction: some kind of support structure to keep it in place/ attatched to the tank.

scottishduck · May 6, 2016

You can always practice your popsicle stick bridge construction from high school physics class.

Who said that those skills would never come in handy? ha

Edit:
Actually, it might be really cool to build an external bridge support structure for a fish tube. A replica of the Brooklyn or Golden Gate Bridge. Or that modern looking one in Boston... I guess I like suspension bridges.

Kalyn · May 6, 2016

You can always practice your popsicle stick bridge construction from high school physics class.

Who said that those skills would never come in handy? ha

Edit:
Actually, it might be really cool to build an external bridge support structure for a fish tube. A replica of the Brooklyn or Golden Gate Bridge. Or that modern looking one in Boston... I guess I like suspension bridges.

Hahahahahahaha, this is an excellent idea! I will update you all once I piece my life back together. Post final exams = messy messy everywhre

ryry785 · May 18, 2017

looking for ideas and insight on them

Kennypoo · May 19, 2017

I know this may be no help but Joey over on YouTube had a pretty insightful video on them. (Is it taboo to reference youtube? New to this community)

They basically utilize the differential pressure between the water and atmospheric pressure to keep the water above the tank line.

Saw one setup that took water from one tank and cycled back to the other using a canister filter, though I'm not sure how the water conditions were between the two.

There's even a setup where you just take a smaller tank in a bigger one and invert it to make a sort of water tower lookout. Though doesn't seem super practical.

FinFanatic · May 19, 2017

I second looking at that video. Its awesome

ryry785 · May 19, 2017

Will do and when I start my project I will be sure to take pictures

Kennypoo · May 19, 2017

Will do and when I start my project I will be sure to take pictures

I'd like to see that

ryry785 · May 19, 2017

I'd like to see that

prolly gonna build my stand this weekend

Julia Darcy · May 20, 2017

I bridged 3 ten-gallons. I didn't want to work with glass or opaque pvc like the bridges I saw in two youtube videos.

My first idea was to seal up some habitrail tubes. That proved impossible using aquarium sealant. And I wasn't going to test out gorilla glue on something in my aquarium.

Then, I coincidentally saw a replacement Aquaclear replacement intake tube on amazon. They are clear like I wanted. I put the 10 gallon tanks very close together and the u-tubes fit quite well, the vacuum worked great (of course it did, since it needs a vacuum when used in a filter).

The water was not cycling between the tanks on its own - evidenced by one being a bit cloudy and two were clear. So I got a small pump and ran a flexible hose from the third tank to the first tank. This gives the water a full cycle. Can use less plugs by using one large filter and one heater. The biggest benefit is the water quality is better.

One issue: there is now a strong-ish water current thru the u-tubes. My baby mollies and cories get sucked into another tank than the one I put them in! Food will get sucked in too. A solution will be to attach netting to all tube entrances -- if I get too bothered by it. Otherwise the babies can go on a roller coaster ride.

Of course, if your main goal is to watch fish swimming in your bridge, none of this is your solution. My goal was water quality and less electrical outlets (I'm paranoid of electrical arcs, and more plugs mean more chance of arcing.)

Important: I found myself in a crazy Lucy Ricardo farce when I pulled up one of the u-tubes while the water pump was running. The u-tube lost its vacuum while the pump kept sending water to the tank. Water started overflowing onto the floor (not carpet thankfully). Then, in an attempt to solve it quickly, I pulled out the pump's flexible tube which started fountaining water everywhere! It was a crazy adventure. Lessons learned: Put the water pump close to the top of the tank! Some water may overflow but your fish won't be flopping around in an empty tank. I don't think I need to say this, but just in case, the tanks have to be at the same level since the nature of water is to automatically level out.

Kennypoo · May 20, 2017

I bridged 3 ten-gallons. I didn't want to work with glass or opaque pvc like the bridges I saw in two youtube videos.

My first idea was to seal up some habitrail tubes. That proved impossible using aquarium sealant. And I wasn't going to test out gorilla glue on something in my aquarium.

Then, I coincidentally saw a replacement Aquaclear replacement intake tube on amazon. They are clear like I wanted. I put the 10 gallon tanks very close together and the u-tubes fit quite well, the vacuum worked great (of course it did, since it needs a vacuum when used in a filter).

The water was not cycling between the tanks on its own - evidenced by one being a bit cloudy and two were clear. So I got a small pump and ran a flexible hose from the third tank to the first tank. This gives the water a full cycle. Can use less plugs by using one large filter and one heater. The biggest benefit is the water quality is better.

One issue: there is now a strong-ish water current thru the u-tubes. My baby mollies and cories get sucked into another tank than the one I put them in! Food will get sucked in too. A solution will be to attach netting to all tube entrances -- if I get too bothered by it. Otherwise the babies can go on a roller coaster ride.

Of course, if your main goal is to watch fish swimming in your bridge, none of this is your solution. My goal was water quality and less electrical outlets (I'm paranoid of electrical arcs, and more plugs mean more chance of arcing.)

Important: I found myself in a crazy Lucy Ricardo farce when I pulled up one of the u-tubes while the water pump was running. The u-tube lost its vacuum while the pump kept sending water to the tank. Water started overflowing onto the floor (not carpet thankfully). Then, in an attempt to solve it quickly, I pulled out the pump's flexible tube which started fountaining water everywhere! It was a crazy adventure. Lessons learned: Put the water pump close to the top of the tank! Some water may overflow but your fish won't be flopping around in an empty tank. I don't think I need to say this, but just in case, the tanks have to be at the same level since the nature of water is to automatically level out.

I love the end story

Pictures don't show up to me sadly but I bet it looks cool.

Julia Darcy · May 20, 2017

uploaded an album for you