Hi all,
I have an idea to modify one of my XP3 intakes to make 50% and larger volume water changes (W/C) a breeze.
The plan is to make a new intake from 3/4" PVC. Outside of the tank the PVC will extend to the bottom of the tank glass (top of the stand). I'll use a reducer to step the PVC down to 5/8 so that I can run the OEM hose to the filter itself.
Before this reducer I'll have a T fitting. At both outflows from the T there will be ball valves. One outflow from the T continues to the reducer and then the filter, the other outflow will be to a hose that I can run to a drain or out to the garden when I drain the tank.
Anyhow, this side of it I know will work because I have basically copied the idea from other members who did similar on here...
What I have a question about is what I plan to do inside of the tank.
On the inside of the tank I want the PVC to extend down 60% to the bottom. The there will be a 90 slip elbow and a 90 street elbow followed by a short length of PVC that brings the intake up to the 50% mark. I won't glue these two elbows together so that they can rotate. That way I can turn the intake up to down.
The idea being that during normal filter operation the intake will be located at about 50%. This is keeps it far enough away from my sand substrate that the fish shouldn't be spitting sand into the filters all the time.
During a regular W/C I turn off the filter, close the ball valve that leads to the filter and open the ball valve that leads to the hose. Gravity will drain 50% of the water from the tank.
During a larger W/C, or if I ever need to drain the tank I can rotate the intake (via the un-glued elbows) and drain more of the tank.
I'm assuming that because this is on the intake side of things there shouldn't be an issue if I don't glue the two elbows.
I'm also assuming that having the intake/strainer oriented pointed up most of the time this won't inhibit the operation of the filter?
Will all of these elbows reduce flow and potentially burn out the motor? I am hoping that by having these fittings on the intake side to won't stress the pump - but I don't know.
Any input/advice?
I have an idea to modify one of my XP3 intakes to make 50% and larger volume water changes (W/C) a breeze.
The plan is to make a new intake from 3/4" PVC. Outside of the tank the PVC will extend to the bottom of the tank glass (top of the stand). I'll use a reducer to step the PVC down to 5/8 so that I can run the OEM hose to the filter itself.
Before this reducer I'll have a T fitting. At both outflows from the T there will be ball valves. One outflow from the T continues to the reducer and then the filter, the other outflow will be to a hose that I can run to a drain or out to the garden when I drain the tank.
Anyhow, this side of it I know will work because I have basically copied the idea from other members who did similar on here...
What I have a question about is what I plan to do inside of the tank.
On the inside of the tank I want the PVC to extend down 60% to the bottom. The there will be a 90 slip elbow and a 90 street elbow followed by a short length of PVC that brings the intake up to the 50% mark. I won't glue these two elbows together so that they can rotate. That way I can turn the intake up to down.
The idea being that during normal filter operation the intake will be located at about 50%. This is keeps it far enough away from my sand substrate that the fish shouldn't be spitting sand into the filters all the time.
During a regular W/C I turn off the filter, close the ball valve that leads to the filter and open the ball valve that leads to the hose. Gravity will drain 50% of the water from the tank.
During a larger W/C, or if I ever need to drain the tank I can rotate the intake (via the un-glued elbows) and drain more of the tank.
I'm assuming that because this is on the intake side of things there shouldn't be an issue if I don't glue the two elbows.
I'm also assuming that having the intake/strainer oriented pointed up most of the time this won't inhibit the operation of the filter?
Will all of these elbows reduce flow and potentially burn out the motor? I am hoping that by having these fittings on the intake side to won't stress the pump - but I don't know.
Any input/advice?
