Challenge For Everyone Re External

[MermaidMel]

I have got a Tetratec 1200 winging its way to me
My 4ft long tank has got a 3D Juwel b/ground silicone in place to the back glass
So you can guess what I'm going to ask heh
Where on earth will be my suction caps go with my spray bar?!

 

[bleepy]

My friend had the same problem..

What he did is got some hooks big enough for the bar to sit in securely, and screwed them in to the background, the bar simply sits on them.

 

[adamgreen240]

cant u put the input and output at opposite ends of the tank sides (where there is no background)

My Bad illustration below lol

Hope this helps a bit.

Adam

 

[pauly]

Yeah just position it on the side rather than on the back.

 

[MermaidMel]

Thing is guys, depth of tank is front to back is 14" and I wasn't sure if my spray bar would be longer than 14"
PLUS in the cabinet there's a dividing wall between the cupboards and I would have to muck about drilling a dirty great hole through it to put the tube from the other side of the tank, I can't move it because it's full or water, so feeding the tube across down the back of the tank is going to be a nightmare

 

[scouse_andy]

I can help you on this Mel, it's simple.

I have a Rio 300 with said background and had the same concerns until the EX1200 turned up.

The loop at the top of the inlet and outlet pipes (it's actually not a loop but a right angled bend) is just long enough to be able to fit in the two holes at the back of the tank and hang over the 3D background.

I have the inlet pipe on one end of the tank (concealed within the Juwel internal filter column, which I kept in for added filtration). It would be even easier if you didn't have the filter column there but works fine either way.

I then have the outflow pipe at the other end of the tank, the spraybar is attached to the glass at the side of the tank firing a good old current the whole length of the tank (you can of course reduce this if need be). The suckers have quite long extensions allowing just enough for the spraybar to reach the side of the tank.

The spraybar length is adjustable as well. I think it comes in three bits - angled bit to attach to outflow pipe, middle and ednd with the stopper. I just took out the middle bit and it fits just fine.

I had exactly the same concerns as you but it fits fine. The backflap of the Juwel multilux light occasionally sits up literally a millimetre or two if it gets propped on the inlet and outlet pipes at the back but no big deal and if you just apply a little pressure to the top of the pipes you can get the flap flush.

 

[scouse_andy]

Oh and feeding the pipe up the back or down from the top is dead easy, I can't remember which way round I did it but it is not a problem.

The pipe is plenty long enough and you can push it to the sideof the tank on the floor, pull it up and then bring it back over the tank and slot in then tidy up your pipework to keep it all behind the tank (and out of the way of 2 year old boys - one of my biggest nightmares!)

 

[MermaidMel]

Andy I also possess said 2yr old boy and I feel your pain

You've been really helpful thank you, don't suppose you fancy supporting all of the above with idiot proof photo's for little Mel to get her stupid head round step-by-step by any possibly pretty please chance please?

 

[scouse_andy]

yep. I should have time to take them tomorrow eve and get them posted.

Pm me if I've not done it by Saturday as it probably means I forgot!

 

[T1KARMANN]

you dont need to use the suction clips on the intake pipe you just let it hang free

you can also take both hoses in the same hole in top corner of the tank its best to keep both hoses short and not run one to the far end of the tank

i also dont stick my spray bar to the side wall of the tank as shown in the set up guide but i stick the bar to the to stress bar of the tank that runs all around the top of the tank

setting up a external filter is very easy its best not to panic until you get the filter when you have all the bits in front of you if you get stuck then ask ? dont think about it until you get the filter or you will be pulling your hair out for nothing

what if but how can this work is like trying to do a jigsaw without the bits

their are lots of people hear who will help you but what ever you do dont make any holes in the cab

 

[Lateral Line]

Thing is guys, depth of tank is front to back is 14" and I wasn't sure if my spray bar would be longer than 14"

Cut it in half and "T" the hose? Trim it to length and drill a few more holes to keep the pressure the same? Don't use the spray bar? Lots of ways forward.

 

[smithrc]

Thing is guys, depth of tank is front to back is 14" and I wasn't sure if my spray bar would be longer than 14"

Cut it in half and "T" the hose? Trim it to length and drill a few more holes to keep the pressure the same? Don't use the spray bar? Lots of ways forward.

the spray bar for the tetratec comes in 5-6" sections - just fit them together

I then cut one section down to fit it across our rio 240

 

[MermaidMel]

Cool it's sound easier now thanks