water-bridge

[gaya]

As some of you know I wanted to build a water bridge between my two 30g tanks but one of the tank stands is much lower than the other so I gave up on it for now. Instead I’ve decided to do it with two 10g tanks. They were much easier to move.

Here are the two tanks, which are dwarf puffer tanks so I'm unsure what they’ll think of it but I plan to have a few ottos in there so maybe they’ll like the option of a bridge.

Here are some of the parts. I purchased the white pvc elbows at home depot and the clear tubing is from a large gravel vac. Will this work? I don’t know. But it is pvc. There is clear pvc and fittings I could have picked up locally but it was really expensive. What I have now cost maybe $15.

Here is the bridge somewhat assembled. One of the pieces is currently being used as a tunnel/cave for the puffers but I will drag it out tomorrow. I will use aqua sealant in the joints as well. Hopefully that will provide some extra protection.

I still need to build a base for the bridge. I intend to use clasps and brackets. I was hoping to get this done b4 classes start (Tuesday) but it seems unlikely. I’ll keep this journal updated and let you know what kind of mess I make.

 

[andyj]

Here's a link that a guy posted on here while ago, to a web-page he's put up, detailing his experiences making a 'water-bridge'

Hope it helps....

http/www.bio-elite.com/waterbridge.htm

 

[gaya]

thanks. I've had that page booked marked for sometime and that's exactly where I got the idea. Though there is this crazy link to a fish highway on the fourm somewhere.

 

[jflowers]

Though there is this crazy link to a fish highway on the fourm somewhere.

HAHA, I have seen that, runs all around the room, very cool.

I think your main problem is going to be getting the water into the tube initially. The guy on the other thread was thinking of using a pump, how are you going to get round it?

Great idea BTW.

Jon

 

[gaya]

Well the guy that built one in the link above had threaded fittings that allowed a cap to screw on. He filled the bridge with water (+conditioner) and capped the ends while trying to allow as little air to get in there as possible. Then put it in the tanks and unscrewed the caps and it worked. I'm thinking of using the attachment that came with the gravel vac as one of the caps and just plugging the whole with my finger on one of the ends and then trying to get my hands on another one w/out having to buy another gravel vac the same size. Maybe home depot will have someting. Though i'm sure I'm gonna get water everywhere. Luckily since this thing isn't too big it wont be that messy. The ends of my bridge will come lower into the tank as well so I'll be able to keep the water level in the tank lower so hopefully that will catch some of the water if it doesn't work. I'm gonna have to take my puffers out while doing this.

 

[jflowers]

Sounds ok. If you have trouble how about getting a syphon pipe and filling it with water. Then insert the tank end into the partly filled bridge, assuming a little air gets in, and then start the syphon. This will draw water into the bridge and get rid of any air in there I think.

Jon

 

[gaya]

that sounds like a good idea but i'm unsure of what a siphon pipe would be. What do you have in mind? thanks!

 

[gaya]

Oh maybe I could attached the peice that came with the gravel vac and make the bridge itself into a gravel vack type thing.

 

[jflowers]

A syphon pipe is simply a pipe or tube, I use ehiem tubing when I do a water change. Lower it into the water till its full, then bring one end out with your thumb over that end. When its lower than the other end insert the submerged end into the mostly filled bridge, then remove your thumb. You may need three hands for this

A gravel vac is a syphon, the one I use is anyway.

Jon

 

[gaya]

thanks Jflowers, I really have a much better clue of what to do now. Things were a bit fuzzy.