inlet/outlet question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cdc

Candiru
MFK Member
Jun 11, 2008
291
1
48
Menifee, socal
In the bottom of my tank I have a drilled outlet that I use to drain my tank. I am getting a fx5 in a few days and was wondering what you guys thought about using this as the inlet to the fx5.

The only problem I can think of at the moment is the pipe is only 1/2" and I believe the fx5 pipe is 1".

Do you think the pipe is to small to use?

100_3256.jpg
 
Yes it looks too small.

But why would you want a huge intake sticking out right from the middle of your tank? When you can stick it to the back of the tank all nice and neat.....
 
It will work and you already have the hole there so use it. You don't want to take the whole tank down to drill another hole for the FX5 but that 1/2 inch line isn't going to maximize the FX5's potential…..
This is what I would do: Y the intake going to the FX5, use two ½ inch lines from the tank to a 1” line to the FX5. Attach one of the Y legs coming from the ½” fitting under the tank and the other run to the top of the tank and take water just below the surface. The return of the FX5 can be dropped in the tank at the furthest point away from the intake. This set up will maximize the FX5’s potential keeping 1” intake and 1” return at the full flow. You will have a little head loss at the Y but you maximize the FX5 without having to drill more holes and completely drain the tank.
 
Mathematically, you will lose 75% of your fx5's potential if you use that 0.5" intake. Reason for that being the surface area is (pie)(radius)^2 <--- square relationship. I would just use the 1" hose that came with the FX5 (BTW, congrats on getting the FX5, I know you've been doing a lot of research the past couple of weeks). As for your little 0.5" I would plug it up (makes your tank neater) for the time being or get another filter (ie. eheim 2234/2236 used, 2217 outlet is also 0.5").
 
It was there when I got the tank, I originally had it at the return from my sump and I teed it off so I could drain the tank if needed (although it it was an emergency it would not drain fast enough) which is the reason its still there.

I will just use the FX5 hose's like you guys say and get the most flow I can.
 
cdc;5095108; said:
It was there when I got the tank, I originally had it at the return from my sump and I teed it off so I could drain the tank if needed (although it it was an emergency it would not drain fast enough) which is the reason its still there.

I will just use the FX5 hose's like you guys say and get the most flow I can.
Click to expand...

Yeah good plan on the FX5.

Another question, what are you feeding your bala's it looks like they love what ever it is? I feed mine frozen/thawed Brussels sprouts. Cool thing about Brussels sprouts is they sink on their own. No need to tie them down. Also when they are almost gone and just the stub is left that part floats so it's easy to remove from the tank. My Bala's and Silver dollars love them!
 
Egon;5095202; said:
Yeah good plan on the FX5.

Another question, what are you feeding your bala's it looks like they love what ever it is? I feed mine frozen/thawed Brussels sprouts. Cool thing about Brussels sprouts is they sink on their own. No need to tie them down. Also when they are almost gone and just the stub is left that part floats so it's easy to remove from the tank. My Bala's and Silver dollars love them!
Click to expand...

Never tried sprouts, I had an accident with some cabbage last year so I have only been using what I know. Lost story short the cabbage must have had some pesticide or something on it and it turned my tank very milky to the point I could only see 4 inches into the tank. Killed my prized fish.

The bala's are eating cucumber they love the soft inside of it. I peeled the skin off it.
 
Ahhh cucumber. Does it float? do they eat it all or just the inside?
 
From what I remember just the inside, the outside was to hard for them. It does float so I used a stainless steel bolt and zip tied the cucumber to it. I have a extendable magnet that I use to retrieve it when they are done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom