Pvc Intake Painting And A Few Other Random Questions

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Big_Z

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 13, 2008
117
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16
South Central PA
Alright so yesterday I decided that HOB filters just were not cutting it for me visually anymore. I happened to have A Tidepool2 Sump and a 950GPH pump laying around so I decided it was time to put them to good use. At first I wanted to hook it all up to one of my bigger tanks but I decided that since they are all running fine not to mess with them for now. I had an empty 55 setting in the kitchen that she wanted moved so I chose to try and mess with that one. After a little searching around on here I got a parts list to make my intake (used 1 1/4" PVC) and my output (the PVC setting on top of the tank in the picture). I must have had luck on my side because within a few minutes it was up and running without many issues. The only thing that I call and issue is a gurgling noise coming from the open piece of PVC pipe on the outside of the tank. I have tried messing with it but no matter what I do I cant seem to get it to quiet down. Any Ideas? I also decided that the two big pieces of PVC in the tank are quite ugly ( I am painting the back black so I don't care how ugly the pieces behind it are). At first I wanted to just paint them black using krylon fusion paint but then she came up with an idea I am becoming fond of. She suggested getting a decent size terra cotta pot and setting it under the intake (so the bottom of the intake is in the pot) then filling it with eco-complete and planting so that all you can see it about 8-10 inches of straight up and down pipe surrounded by plants. I would then paint the pipe to look like bamboo but I am unsure of what paint I could use to do this safely. Any Suggestions on that?

Thanks for any suggestions or help-
BIG_Z

GetInline.jpg
 
Change of plans instead of using 1-1/4 PVC on the intakes and painting them to look like bamboo, I have found real bamboo tubes online that I think I might be able to use.

http://www.deerso.net/Waddell-Mfg-C...froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

My question about that is: Is there anyone else out there who has used bamboo in any long term water application? I am a little worried about the possibility of it rotting / degrading in time?
 
ive seen people use real bamboo for fish tunnels, etc. im sure theyll eventually rot out, but they should last a long time
 
My luck it will rot out at the bottom near the elbow and it will drain my tank. I guess I should search for non-toxic sealants and hope that a good water tight seal should prolong its life considerably.
 
oh you wanted to use bamboo for the actual plumbing? i wouldnt do that! id stick with PVC and find a way to 'skin' it with the bamboo
 
I guess I was overthinking the bamboo thing I could just buy a little larger bamboo and insert the PVC inside of that. That you for stopping me before I did something horrible :P
 
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