DIY: re-plumbing ac50 HOB

[Maxxxboost]

Looks great. And great idea.

 

[RobotDeathSquad]

genius

 

[Ricochet]

...does it have any impact on water flow/pressure/turn over, due to such a small impeller having to pull water a greater distance??

It would take a significant drop in pipe diameter and an incredible increase in pipe length before that little impeller would be laboured in drawing water; there should be no real concerning pressure increase and/or difference for this DIY extension.

Now if the holes were drilled too few or small and/or were plugged up due to careless maintenance that would be a different story.

The plumbing as bitteraspects stated is just an extension to draw water from a different location... the water level point from which the HOB draws remains the same and can be viewed as if it is pulling from the exact same point but now from inside a pipe...

Neat project bitter!

 

[wizardslovak]

nice DIY
although i kinda changed it for my tank
its on 10 gall saltwater tank and pipes are painted black

suction cup is there to hold pipe , cause pipe on right is longer and heavier and you need to keep it balance otherwise you will hear weird noice from filter.
just my .02 cents
wizzy

 

[Ricochet]

Wizard:
Interesting design; thanks for posting the diagram.
I'm curious about why holes on both ends? To help target debris collecting areas in your tank? Or just for improved cycling/circulation?
I like suction cups too... use them to hang plants, driftwood, etc.

 

[wizardslovak]

exactly what you said , those holes are cleaning both sites at the same time instead of only one side. of course i got power head on other side to help circulation

 

[nolapete]

With the current out of the filter, it's doubtful that as much "clean" water is being sucked right back in. I've used Aquaclear filters for at least 20 years and can assure you that it's nowhere near 50% that's being sucked back in.

An easier mod, if you're insistent on this, would be to install a piece of plastic that diverts the water flow away from the intake.

This is an interesting idea. It could be used to plumb the aquaclear into an undergravel filter. Which may be a bad idea though because we all know that sand/grit and Aquaclear impellers don't mix.

WARNING: I'd be very cautious about getting close to any substrate with the intake. You'll be replacing your impeller and/or motor if any does.

 

[bitteraspects]

With the current out of the filter, it's doubtful that as much "clean" water is being sucked right back in. I've used Aquaclear filters for at least 20 years and can assure you that it's nowhere near 50% that's being sucked back in.

and how exatly can you "assure" me of exactly what amount is being recycled. Do you have some kind of documented testing in regard to this? Because that could definitely be helpful information. Short of an inline flow meter, I could not think of many other tests to run on the design myself.

An easier mod, if you're insistent on this, would be to install a piece of plastic that diverts the water flow away from the intake.

this is another common mod for these filters. Though it can serve to diffuse the return from the filter it does not serve the same purpose.
The modification detailed in this thread not only serves to increase circulation by relocating the intake, but by lowering the placement of the intake, you also increase the effectiveness of the mechanical filtration by putting it closer to the floor of the tank where the detritus settles. This can not be accomplished by simply deflecting the return.

This is an interesting idea. It could be used to plumb the aquaclear into an undergravel filter. Which may be a bad idea though because we all know that sand/grit and Aquaclear impellers don't mix.


that would not work. The gravel would reduce the flow of the intake too much and put unnecessary strain in the impeller. This will lead to premature equipment failure.

WARNING: I'd be very cautious about getting close to any substrate with the intake. You'll be replacing your impeller and/or motor if any does.

if proper precautions are taken (as have been discussed earlier in the thread) there is no risk of impeller damage. This includes making sure the holes or slits are smaller than your gravel, it using a foam prefilter over the intake if you have a sand substrate. I have done this on tanks with both gravel and sand, and never once had a problem with anything getting in the impeller housing.
As with any other piece of equipment, proper set up and maintenence is key to function and reliability.

as seen in the pictures included in the initial post, this was built for a bare bottom tank. (as that is my personal preference). However with a simple adjustment, this system can be used in tanks with any substrate of your choice I just happen to have mostly bare bottom tanks, so that's what the design was drawn up for.

I'm glad so many people have been able to make use of this DIY. It has served me well, and I can only hope it would do the same for others.

Long live DIY!
Lol

 

[lukester825]

Its a good idea, and well crafted, but i agree with nolapete that the clean water recylced is well lower than 50%. Its a good way to increase circulation though.

 

[yayfish24]

I think I might give this a try but im gonna setup a small 10 gallon salt tank and have the pvc go to both sides for a little better circulation.