Need design ideas

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ThePBM

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2007
602
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Hawaii / Wisconsin
I have a powerhead that I want to use on a hydrosponge filter. My problem is, the intake of the powerhead is not a convenient tube that i can adapt to the sponge filter's lift tube. The intake is more like a flat face with a hole in it (after removing the grill).
I'm not sure how to go about connecting a tube to a flat face aside from siliconing it on. If anyone has any ideas that are less drastic, do let me know.
Here's a random image i found that shows a powerhead that looks similar to mine. The grill on the right is the intake side, and the tube on the top is output. I need to connect a 1" diameter tube somehow to the intake so all of the water that the powerhead pumps is pulled from that tube.

via-aqua-305.jpg
 
if you take the sponge part off often times there is a threaded part, but if there isnt uoi can take a barbed fitting and two part epoxy it on and this makes a freat seal..., what does yours look like exacly?
 
it would help to have a pic of the exact pump and a pic of the pump with the cover off.
 
I am aiming for this type of setup

Hydro-Flo-SpongeDouble300.JPG


I have a similar hydro sponge (different sponge size) and want to use my powerhead with it. here are some pics showing my powerhead, powerhead without the grill, and pics of where the tube needs to attach to.
if there is a way i can keep the grill on, that would be ideal since the "flow adjuster" is on the grill. that just lets less water into the pump.

PHSponge.jpg
 
idk if it would work, but could you use the pvc glue? that way it would physically bond the 2 plastics together. Like i said, im not sure if that works with the plastics that you have or if the glue would be toxic to your fish. Hope it works for you.
 
nukeman;1014138; said:
idk if it would work, but could you use the pvc glue? that way it would physically bond the 2 plastics together. Like i said, im not sure if that works with the plastics that you have or if the glue would be toxic to your fish. Hope it works for you.
Click to expand...

I've had mixed success with pvc solvent cement for pump mods, too many different plastic types to garantee anything.

I have actually used hot melt glue before on plastics not suitable for solvent bonding, get the glue and plastic surfaces very hot (carefull application of a butane torch flame) and it bonds quite well, results may vary.
 
I've modded several pumps for this.

Test the plastic on the pump face by putting some pvc solvent/cement on it and brush it around with a toothpick, if it melts great, then you can bond a pvc fitting (use a clamp or it may not bond well) of the size you need to the intake. If there is any gaps, use a little silicone to seal them up.

Dr Joe

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i do have a hot glue gun and was wondering if that glue was safe for aquarium usage.
i do have several of these powerheads so i guess i could spare one to surgery and risk bonding it and whatnot.
i saw AGA brand aquarium silicone for a whopping $7 at the pet shop, but i get the feeling like that is for glass-glass applications. will any other silicone work and be just as safe?
 
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