Spray Bar Problem

[JSmails]

The end of the my spray bar (Tetratec External Filter) keeps flying off. Has anyone else had this and do you have any tips for fixing it (or can I get a replacement easily)?

 

[thefubar]

I had exactly the same thing happen on my Ex700.

For 6 months i used tape to hold it in place, but since my spray bar kept getting clogged by small snails i have removed the bar completely.

 

[Idlemind]

not sure but maybe some aquarium silicone might hold it on? Make sure its cured as I think the fumes might be toxic to the fish while its un cured, I know it sure gives off a smell while curing

 

[raptorrex]

not sure but maybe some aquarium silicone might hold it on? Make sure its cured as I think the fumes might be toxic to the fish while its un cured, I know it sure gives off a smell while curing

lol, its important to let it cure. but not because of "poisons". simple fact is, it wont cure under water.

 

[thefubar]

Don't use silicone to seal the end in...

it'll be a nightmare to try and clean if you can't pull a cloth thru or get a brush all the way thru.

You need a more on/off solution.

 

[raptorrex]

Don't use silicone to seal the end in...

it'll be a nightmare to try and clean if you can't pull a cloth thru or get a brush all the way thru.

You need a more on/off solution.

but, if you use a thin coating of silicone, just enough to increase friction, it will work fine.(and still come to bits for cleaning) but as you say, "going over the top", will only cause problems.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Why not just get a cork and put it in the end? lol Just a thought.

That way you would be able to take it out when you want to clean it, and just push it back when when you ware done.

-FHM

 

[thefubar]

Why not just get a cork and put it in the end? lol Just a thought.

That way you would be able to take it out when you want to clean it, and just push it back when when you ware done.

-FHM

That sounds like a good practical solution. The silicone sounds reasonable with the thin coating, but i think you'd clean it off each time.

 

[raptorrex]

Why not just get a cork and put it in the end?  lol Just a thought.

That way you would be able to take it out when you want to clean it, and just push it back when when you ware done.

-FHM

The silicone sounds reasonable with the thin coating, but i think you'd clean it off each time.

if its cured, it will be hard to get off. you need vinegar of acetone for that. but a slim elastic band may do as well. don't use anything organic. it only gives somewhere for "bad" things to hide.

 

[alchemist]

I used a fantastic modern plastic called polymorph to solve this problem.
Polymorph

Polymorph is malleable at temperatures above 62oC and then turns solid at lower temperatures - you can basically mould it into any shape that you like and let it cool down - so I stuck some to the end of the spray bar and let it cool down - it is then moulded to the exact shape required and can be taken on and off as required.

 

[raptorrex]

I used a fantastic modern plastic called polymorph to solve this problem.
Polymorph

Polymorph is malleable at temperatures above 62oC and then turns solid at lower temperatures - you can basically mould it into any shape that you like and let it cool down - so I stuck some to the end of the spray bar and let it cool down - it is then moulded to the exact shape required and can be taken on and off as required.

sounds like good stuff. the only problem i can see is, tropical tanks, have temperatures well above the "solid set" temperature of the product. indeed many Temperate tanks would have too.

 

[OldMan47]

I just read through the specs on that stuff and they never said what the solid set temperature was. They did suggest that it be molded at 60 to 65C so that is much warmer than any of my tanks would run. They also went on to say that it stayed moldable at quite a bit cooler temperature, I just never caught the solid set point, if they gave it. Another thing I noticed is that they said it was biodegradable. To me that would mean it is not going into my tank. I would not look forward to having a degrading thermoplastic in with my fish.

 

[raptorrex]

I just read through the specs on that stuff and they never said what the solid set temperature was. They did suggest that it be molded at 60 to 65C so that is much warmer than any of my tanks would run. They also went on to say that it stayed moldable at quite a bit cooler temperature, I just never caught the solid set point, if they gave it. Another thing I noticed is that they said it was biodegradable. To me that would mean it is not going into my tank. I would not look forward to having a degrading thermoplastic in with my fish.

yep, possibly not the best stuff to use.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD POLYMORPH BE
HEATED ABOVE THE RANGE 60°-65° MAX. ABOVE THIS
TEMPERATURE IT WILL BECOME A STICKY ADHERENT
MASS AND PRESENT THE SAME HAZARD AS HOT-MELT
GLUE

taken from polymorph instructions

 

[thefubar]

so anyone who rushed out and bought it will be returning it for a refund this weekend

out of interest do other brands just make better fitting plugs or do they suffer too?

 

[raptorrex]

so anyone who rushed out and bought it will be returning it for a refund this weekend

out of interest do other brands just make better fitting plugs or do they suffer too?

for my part, both Hydor and Eheim have showed no problems like this. the Hydor is over 5 years old and the Eheim is 3.