• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

awkward and small pipework problem

jameson_uk

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2016
Messages
879
Location
Birmingham
I ordered an Oase FiltoSmart 60 and a 10mm spin pipe some time ago with the intention of seeing what it was like in my 30cm cube Betta tank. Now I have actually got some time on my hands I managed to get hold of a 10mm glass inflow and today I started looking at how I might actually configure it.

Problem is I can't figure out the best way to sort out the pipework. The bottom on the glassware is just about level with the top of the pipework connectors on the filter (at least when it is stood on the table). I really wanted to put the filter behind the tank as this will hide it out of sight and I don't think the FiltoSmart 60 has enough power to pump up from the floor.

It is almost like I want two 90 degree connectors with the hose running horizontally but being 9/12mm pipework there are limited items available. The hose just kinks when trying to make a kind of S shape and it looks like the minimum curve to get an S shape without causing the hose to buckle would probably make it too wide for the tank anyway.

Other than putting the filter under the tank, any ideas on how I could plumb this in nicely?

MVIMG_20200430_140751.jpg


MVIMG_20200430_140757.jpg


MVIMG_20200430_140757.jpg
 
Will have a look at both. Using a big loop would actually work and I guess would be better than using elbows (it is only a really small run and the whole point of the spin pipe is to slow the flow anyway)
f0f4897fe525b58902c271d6028ea63f.jpg
 
Hi @jameson_uk do you mind telling me where you got your lily pipes from? Need some small ones for a scapers tank I'm setting up.

Sam.
 
Hi @jameson_uk do you mind telling me where you got your lily pipes from? Need some small ones for a scapers tank I'm setting up.

Sam.
The spin pipe was a cheap generic Chinese import from eBay. (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233095757584)

The inflow was harder to source as everywhere that does seem to list 10mm inflows was out of stock. Ended up paying more than I wanted to (~£25) to get a Blau one from Amazon (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VLMCGJW/) which was shipped from Spain but I got the last one.

There are plenty of similar sized options for 12/16mm pipework on eBay the main issue has been the small pipework with the FiltoSmart 60.
 
The spin pipe was a cheap generic Chinese import from eBay. (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233095757584)

The inflow was harder to source as everywhere that does seem to list 10mm inflows was out of stock. Ended up paying more than I wanted to (~£25) to get a Blau one from Amazon (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VLMCGJW/) which was shipped from Spain but I got the last one.

There are plenty of similar sized options for 12/16mm pipework on eBay the main issue has been the small pipework with the FiltoSmart 60.
Thanks, I'm always a little cautious buying Chinese imports off ebay for returns purposes so it's good to hear that yours are what you expected. I'll check them out and see what happens
 
Thanks, I'm always a little cautious buying Chinese imports off ebay for returns purposes so it's good to hear that yours are what you expected. I'll check them out and see what happens
Yeah I know what you mean. For £8 though if it was rubbish I wouldn't have lost much if you do it via eBay they are generally very good at ordering refunds etc.
Do you have 12/16 pipework? I actually ordered the wrong thing (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium...-Tube-13mm-17mm-for-Fish-Tank-UK/164136777279) which I don't actually need...
 
I'd go for the loop. If you used something like the corrugated hose, as a sleeve over the loop of the filter hose, it would stop it kinking.
Turns out Eheim do two different elbow connectors. One is the barbed 90 degree connector but there is another which isn't quite 90 degrees but is actually something that clips around the pipe to hold it in place without kinking. That said I think only one Eheim filter has (had?) 9/12mm pipework and they appear to be like rocking horse poo.

I am going to try out the loop method (just seemed to have a mental block that the best way of pointing the pipework might be away from the tank :oops:) First step is to just see the difference in flow (and noise) to the current internal pseudo Hamburg Matten filter so not going to loose anything playing around.
 
Yeah I know what you mean. For £8 though if it was rubbish I wouldn't have lost much if you do it via eBay they are generally very good at ordering refunds etc.
Do you have 12/16 pipework? I actually ordered the wrong thing (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium...-Tube-13mm-17mm-for-Fish-Tank-UK/164136777279) which I don't actually need...
Yea ebay are pretty good with things like that, and. I suppose 8 quid wouldn't have bankrupted either...
Yea 12/16mm pipework, off a fluval 306 reduced down slightly.
 
It's a small tank so the other way would be to raise the tank up instead. Polystyrene sheet or similar. That way you'd make it more of a straight run from filter to pipe.

However, I think the loops are a good idea as there will probably be less stress on the ends of the glass work than with short runs at tighter angles. Maintenance will be easier too, you'll be able to rest the pump head on the cabinet when you're cleaning it, and rotate the pump head to get the impellor out. Both of which will be a PITA with short runs of pipe/connectors. Especially when the filter is tucked behind the tank.
 
Back
Top