Complete Beginner! - Where To Put My Pipes?!

[Tangerine]

Hi All,

I'm completely new to keeping fish but have plunged in feet first and purchased a Duo Deep 1200. I've studied these pages thoroughly so I knew to upgrade to an external filter and I have the gravel, etc standing by.

Well before I can even start the fishless cycle (never mind the fish) I have to assemble it all...

I've managed to assemble the stand and the tank is in place above it but I have now hit a logistical problem!

I've a "back to nature" (but cheaper!) type fibre glass background and I am struggling to work where I would put the filter inlet/ outlet pipes when it's in? Do I have to put them on the side of the tank or is there some clever way of incorporating them with the background?

There's plenty of room behind the background and I was wondering whether I could place them there? I assume I would need to extend the inlet and cut a hole in the background to make sure it was sucking in water from the front of the tank rather than just the back? And where would be the best place for the outlet?

Apologies if it's a stupid question and thanks in advance for any suggestions you have - it's driving me mad! I just want to get things set up and start cycling. Every day I delay is another day without fish...

Cheers,

Paul

 

[themissingelf]

If you're not planning to plant the tank then I'd be tempted to explore using an undergravel filter for the return flow. Basically you'd be pumping filtered water DOWN the uplift tube and up through the gravel - you'll have a massive bio filter! The only thing to remember is that you'll not have any real water movement in the tank.

 

[demonmagus]

under gravels are a thing of the past, sooo hard to clean, you have to strip the tank down!

I don't understand the question Tangerine.

 

[Tangerine]

Hmmm,how to explain a bit clearer...

I would assume people generally hook the filter pipes over the back of the tank. The 'trouble' with the background is that it's the fibreglass 3d type so leaves a gap from the glass ranging from 2" to 5". I could hook them over the sides of the tank but that would look bad from one side. I was hoping there was some clever way I could fit the pipes behind the background...

Hope that's a little clearer!

Cheers,

Paul

 

[demonmagus]

can't you just put them behind the backround, with that much space it makes sense. I don't understand why you can't just do that

 

[voo]

Why is there going to be a 2-5" gap behind the background? Doesnt the background fit against the back of the tank?

 

[Tangerine]

Thanks for the replies.

The background doesn't fit flush against the back of the tank because it is 3D "hollow" fibreglass.

As for whether I can put them behind the background - that's what I'm asking (I really am completely new to all this and didn't know whether you could do this or not!)

I've managed to find a couple of websites that suggest you put the in and out flow behind the background on one side with a hole into the main part of the tank for the outflow. You then make a hole (covered with mesh on the opposite side of the background so the water is drawn behind the background from the far end.

It also suggests that I could fill behind the background with bio foam and use the whole background as an addditional bio filter!

Does this seem like a good idea and do you think I can put the heater behind as well?

I'll try a get some pictures together once I've got it worked out.

Cheers!