Another one bites the dust

[Fishmanic46 162]

I had a catastrophe in my 29 gallon tank. Occupying this tank are 4 fully grown BN Plecos, several juvenile Plecos, 1 Peppered Cory, 4 Black Skirt Tetras and one Bolivian Ram. Yesterday, I could hear that the flow of the HOB filter seemed weak. Upon checking the filter, I discovered that the intake tube had fallen off the filter and a fish tail was sticking out of the end of the tube. I removed the still alive Pleco, removed the HOB filter, and gave it a thorough cleaning and put in New filter floss after squeezing out the sponge. I reassembled the filter and installed it back on the tank. I restarted the filter. The flow was still weak. I took off the intake tube and blew through the u-shaped section to see if there was a blockage. Sure enough a large BN Pleco dropped out of it. Unfortunately, it wasn't alive. I reassembled the tube onto the filter and restarted the tank. It was now operating correctly with a strong flow.
May we now have a moment of silence and then listen to this song which should stand as a reminder to keep an eye on the intake tube on your HOB filter and to check tightness after every cleaning. .

 

[Back in the fold3]

Wow ! That is a cats ass trophy .

 

[Fishmanic46 162]

This has happened before where the strainer end of the intake tube fell off. I need to remedy this situation by adding something like a drop or two of super glue to make a raised bump on the upper section of the tube so the strainer end will have a tighter friction fit. This will still allow removal for cleaning but should prevent another catastrophic event.
Live and learn

 

[gwand46 162]

Isn’t your intake tube slotted at the end? Slotted intake tubes prevent sucking up pleco-size fish.

 

[Fishmanic46 162]

Yes the end has a strainer--no other slots in the tube except just above the impeller. But this piece fell off the longer part of the tube. I will use the method stated in the previous message to increase friction between the two parts to prevent another catastrophe.

 

[jaylach46 162]

If you find later that you need to remove the super glue rubbing alcohol makes super glue disappear.

 

[GaryE7 5]

I have a big FX canister that came second hand with a damaged intake. I fixed it, and it ran wonderfully for several years with the intake out of sight in the plants. We had a short power cut, and with the loss of suction combined with my not checking after cleanings and such, the strainer fell off before it restarted on its own. I lost a lot of small tetras before I spotted it.

I'm a lot more careful now, and check it several times a week. A powerful filter giveth, and taketh away.

 

[Back in the fold3]

If it was me I’d use a little dab of silicone aquarium sealant to make the bump . It’s stickier .

 

[Back in the fold3]

Wait ! Hold the phone ! I just had a brainstorm . Put the strainer and tube together and drill a toothpick diameter sized hole through both sides and then insert the aforementioned toothpick through it to hold it on . Sometimes my intellect amazes even me .

 

[Fishmanic46 162]

Or I could use a tiny brass screw to join them. I have many sizes of tiny screws. I only fully clean the filter housing and tube maybe every 4 or 5 months. I clean the media about once a month.

 

[Back in the fold3]

Or I could use a tiny brass screw to join them. I have many sizes of tiny screws.

Sure , you could do that or you could half ass it like I would and have to redo it later .

 

[jaylach46 162]

Or I could use a tiny brass screw to join them. I have many sizes of tiny screws. I only fully clean the filter housing and tube maybe every 4 or 5 months. I clean the media about once a month.

Just make sure they are brass. Brass and bronze often look alike but many forms of bronze are oil impregnated for self lubrication. This is why bronze is often used as bearing material.

 

[Back in the fold3]

Just make sure they are brass. Brass and bronze often look alike but many forms of bronze are oil impregnated for self lubrication. This is why bronze is often used as bearing material.

Very good to know . I did not know this .

 

[Fishmanic46 162]

I ended up using a layer of 3/4 inch self fusing silicone tape on the outside of the male end of the tube to make it a tiny bit thicker. Silicone tape is not like electrical tape. It has no sticky adhesive on it. It stays on if you stretch it as you put it on. The stretchiness causes it to stick to itself. I've used it to repair frayed wires and also used it on a weak point in a garden hose (before a leak developed).
I can now disassemble the tube easily as it now has a high friction fit and can reassemble it easily after cleaning. No need to deal with a screw or a toothpick.

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Fusing-Silicone-Tape-20mil-Chemical-Resistant/dp/B0FKMWSD21/?tag=fishforums-20

 

[jaylach46 162]

I ended up using a layer of 3/4 inch self fusing silicone tape on the outside of the male end of the tube to make it a tiny bit thicker. Silicone tape is not like electrical tape. It has no sticky adhesive on it. It stays on if you stretch it as you put it on. The stretchiness causes it to stick to itself. I've used it to repair frayed wires and also used it on a weak point in a garden hose (before a leak developed).
I can now disassemble the tube easily as it now has a high friction fit and can reassemble it easily after cleaning. No need to deal with a screw or a toothpick.

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Fusing-Silicone-Tape-20mil-Chemical-Resistant/dp/B0FKMWSD21/?tag=fishforums-20

Sounds like Teflon tape that you would use for plumbing fixtures.