External Filter Installation

[chipstick]

Hi

I have just purchased a Fluval 205 external filter for my 3ft tank. I have just tried to fit it and have discovered a problem

My tank sits in a clearseal cabinet. The tank has a lip sealed all the way around it on which a sliding door goes across. There is a small square in one corner which my light cables go through, but the hole is not large enough for the two pipes, and pipe holders to go into. Therefore its useless for my tank!

I have an internal pump/heater currently, and bought this external ones as the internal one is an eye saw!

My only thought so far is to break the silicon thats holding these glass lips on the top of my tank off and removing the sliding cover. But with the wodden cabinet around it I still dont think the supplied 'hanging over' bits will fit due to the thickness of this.

Anyone have any ideas what I can do to use this filter with my tank?

Thanks

 

[onebto]

Hi

I have just purchased a Fluval 205 external filter for my 3ft tank. I have just tried to fit it and have discovered a problem

My tank sits in a clearseal cabinet. The tank has a lip sealed all the way around it on which a sliding door goes across. There is a small square in one corner which my light cables go through, but the hole is not large enough for the two pipes, and pipe holders to go into. Therefore its useless for my tank!

I have an internal pump/heater currently, and bought this external ones as the internal one is an eye saw!

My only thought so far is to break the silicon thats holding these glass lips on the top of my tank off and removing the sliding cover. But with the wodden cabinet around it I still dont think the supplied 'hanging over' bits will fit due to the thickness of this.

Anyone have any ideas what I can do to use this filter with my tank?

Thanks

A picture would be helpfull

 

[chipstick]

This tank on ebay is simular to mine.

Ebay Tank

You can see the sills at the top that a glass sliding lid would sit on.

My only other thought is to buy a new tank with just the 4 sides. But my lights are fixed to the top of my cabinet:

So if I didnt have the glass top on it, then the fish could soak the electrics.

Will try and get some pics of my actual tank soon.

 

[onebto]

Hmm this sounds like an interesting challenge

You mentioned the top has a sliding door, How does that work is it half the size of the entire top? and what is it made of? is it all plastic all glass or wood or a mixture?

does it slide over a frame or lift up?

I know these are silly questions but it will give us an idea of the set up so we can give you usable solutions

About half dozen pictures looking down on the top from different angles will definitely help

 

[chipstick]

I took some pictures of the top from various angles, need to send them over to my PC and upload. Will do that tonight.

There is a strip of glass along the front, and back of the tank. With larger squares of glass bonded on the sides. On this ledge there are two a4 sort of size glass sheets that slide over each other on a plastic runner.

Is this ledge that is preventing me from hanging the pipe brackets over the edge of the tank.

Pics to follow this evening.

 

[chipstick]

I took some pictures of the top from various angles, need to send them over to my PC and upload. Will do that tonight.

There is a strip of glass along the front, and back of the tank. With larger squares of glass bonded on the sides. On this ledge there are two a4 sort of size glass sheets that slide over each other on a plastic runner.

Is this ledge that is preventing me from hanging the pipe brackets over the edge of the tank.

Pics to follow this evening.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with onebto, a challenge!

It sounds like the lid is glass, sliding on glass frame pieces (perhaps captured in position?) Is is possible one of sliding lids could be replaced with a plastic one?

Another thought is that some filter manufacturers make optional intake/outlet devices that are more adjustable than the standard ones. There's also the possibility of finding none brand specific pieces like this or making them.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[chipstick]

Agree with onebto, a challenge!

It sounds like the lid is glass, sliding on glass frame pieces (perhaps captured in position?) Is is possible one of sliding lids could be replaced with a plastic one?

Another thought is that some filter manufacturers make optional intake/outlet devices that are more adjustable than the standard ones. There's also the possibility of finding none brand specific pieces like this or making them.

~~waterdrop~~

Yeah they are siliconed to the sides of the tank. Which is why I was thinking about cutting the seal and taking them off perhaps.

I could probably get some perspex sheet and make two sliding sections and replace the glass ones, but the pipe and brackets where they hang over would not get past the glass frame pieces.

Realistically, I could probably get some different sort of tubing, and get some different bends and things to go into the tank. Its just finding a shop that sells these bits.

 

[waterdrop]

I was picturing you replacing one of the glass sliders with a perspex sheet with a corner rectangle or such cut-out to accomodate the tubing. The wider elbow to get across the thick slider tracking area might be a challange to find. There's a picture of the type thing I was thinking of on this Eheim parts page:

Click here and then click Equipment and Accessories on left of the web page.

Look for the three "Universal Installation Kit" pictures once you get to the Equipment and Accessories page within the parts site.

I'm not sure of the size tubing these particular ones take or what tank wall width the gray crossover piece could handle but the Eheim parts people are usually pretty quick with answers to emailed questions. Other manufacturers might have similar optional equipment. Hope this helps with your deliberations!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[chipstick]

Could I just buy a new tank and then get a plastic cover on the tank to prevent the fish splashing my electrics and lights in the top?

Its just an option incase I cant find any adapters

 

[chipstick]

Here is a tank that is like mine

But I have the same glass ledges on the ends aswell.

 

[chipstick]

Right I finally managed to get some pics of the problem.

This is the hole at the top left of the tank

Here is a better angle. At the top there is a large square of glass that acts as a bit of a lid, and has a lip on it to stop the glass cover from sliding over too far.

You should be able to see the problem i'm having trying to figure out how to get the pipes over there.

I have these brackets (bottom left of pic) to get over the lip:

Someone must have a simular tank and had the same problems.

Don't tell me i've got a vivarium

 

[boost]

same problem i had with mine, with mine i drilled the top glass, 2 holes with a 32mm diamond edge drill bit (£15 odds) the drilled the middle of the 2 holes to make a slot big enuff for the 2 pipes, drilling glass is real easy just need a jig to get ya started and plenty of water to keep the bit cool

 

[chipstick]

same problem i had with mine, with mine i drilled the top glass, 2 holes with a 32mm diamond edge drill bit (£15 odds) the drilled the middle of the 2 holes to make a slot big enuff for the 2 pipes, drilling glass is real easy just need a jig to get ya started and plenty of water to keep the bit cool

That sounds like it would end in tears!

Do you have a pic of it?

 

[OohFeeshy]

What about removing it completely and replacing it either with a new, non-siliconed in cover glass or a plastic condensation cover?