Reducing hose size for size 13mm lily pipes

[Country joe]

I sent away for 17mm glass lily pipes to remove horrible Fluval tubing, I wanted them on my 70 litre tank, but when they arrived the outflow looked far to big for the tank, so returned and bought the smaller 13mm which are perfect.
My filter is a Fluval 107, and I will be using 16/22 pipes on to 12/16 pipe using a reducer, I know this will reduce the flow, but hopefully will itbe okay for the size of the tank, and the fish are small Celestial pearl danios, and Ember tetras,
I did Google it but it's all doom, saying a big reduction on flow, and can cause the filter to burn out, but I've bought the hoses and the lily pipes so I'm going ahead, what do you think.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

If one wants to reduce the flow rate on any pump or filters this should always be don on the output and never the input size. I learned this about 23 years ago when I used to be on a now defunct fish site with a chat room as well. One of the members there worked in the industry dealing with massive pumps like the ones on dams making electricity etc. He explained that the input was the key to not burning out a pump and one should only reduce the outflow. This insures that there is adequate liquid inside the pump at all times.

The problem with using the smaller size hose on the output is that while the rate of floe is slowed, what does emerges will be moving harder. Consider when you use a hos with a nozzle. The flow rate in that hose is determine by how hard you turn on the output tap, But what comes out if you want the water tot ravel further, you narrow the output. This increases the pressure coming out of the nozzle and thus the distance t water travels.

I have canister with flow controls which all me to reduce the flow. They do so on both the in and outputs side. This means the reductions of what is coming is is not enough allow for the to be open spaces inside of it. But they use spray-bars which act to reduce the strength of the output but not the flow rate.

I have CPDs but the tanks I have kept them in use Aquaclear hang-ons which have flow controls.

So, you can put the 12/16 hose on the output but leave the 16/22 on the intake side. I only use Eheim canister and do not know if Fluvals canisters have flow controls. The flow controls allow me to shut off the flow totally in both directions. This means when I return the foiters after a cleaning I can fill them with water, reattach the hoses and the filter never needs priming.

 

[Country joe]

If one wants to reduce the flow rate on any pump or filters this should always be don on the output and never the input size. I learned this about 23 years ago when I used to be on a now defunct fish site with a chat room as well. One of the members there worked in the industry dealing with massive pumps like the ones on dams making electricity etc. He explained that the input was the key to not burning out a pump and one should only reduce the outflow. This insures that there is adequate liquid inside the pump at all times.

The problem with using the smaller size hose on the output is that while the rate of floe is slowed, what does emerges will be moving harder. Consider when you use a hos with a nozzle. The flow rate in that hose is determine by how hard you turn on the output tap, But what comes out if you want the water tot ravel further, you narrow the output. This increases the pressure coming out of the nozzle and thus the distance t water travels.

I have canister with flow controls which all me to reduce the flow. They do so on both the in and outputs side. This means the reductions of what is coming is is not enough allow for the to be open spaces inside of it. But they use spray-bars which act to reduce the strength of the output but not the flow rate.

I have CPDs but the tanks I have kept them in use Aquaclear hang-ons which have flow controls.

So, you can put the 12/16 hose on the output but leave the 16/22 on the intake side. I only use Eheim canister and do not know if Fluvals canisters have flow controls. The flow controls allow me to shut off the flow totally in both directions. This means when I return the foiters after a cleaning I can fill them with water, reattach the hoses and the filter never needs priming.

To leave the 16/22 on the inlet you would need to purchase a 17mm, and you would only use one, don't know if the sell them single, or have I picked you up wrong.

 

[Country joe]

It says on the net if you use smaller diameter lily pipes connect the 16/22mm hose close to the filter with a reducer and only run the smaller 12/16 tubing for the last section to the lily pipes.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Now I am a bit confused. There are the flexible vinyl hoses and then there are the solid intake and output spray bars to which they are connected. Eheims use 16/22 and 12/16 hoses and pipes which fit them. One can buy any of these parts on their own. As you will see below

https://kensfish.com/products/eheim-outlet-pipe-for-494-hose?_pos=4&_sid=e79918e1f&_ss=r
https://kensfish.com/products/eheim...17-2250-2222-2228?_pos=1&_sid=9f659d2f7&_ss=r
You need to get the spraybar plug for the above: https://kensfish.com/products/eheim...9-2026-2028-2080?_pos=20&_sid=3ba23d494&_ss=r

https://kensfish.com/products/eheim-spray-bar-installation-set-494?_pos=1&_sid=9ccf2c634&_ss=r
This spray bar is pricey. It is called either set 2 or set 494 so you search for it cheaper elsewhere. The first one is the older model

The Eheim 2215 uses 12/16mm tubing for both its inlet and outlet. This is the standard size for this filter model and is also used by other Eheim filters, such as the 2211, 2213, and 2217.

A spraybar diffuses the output. I have actually drilled extra holes in my Eheim spraybars to direct some of the output downward, i.e. a 90 angle from the standard hose it comes with. I drill a smaller size hole than the main ones. This diffuses and spreads out the return even more.

The older spray bars use a two piece system where you connect th hose the the outlet pipe which curves over the top of the tank and the points across the tank. You get a second piece- the spraybar- and connect the two pieces together using a small piece of 12/16 hose.

To use the Eheim output spraybar set-ups above, you need to reduce the hose from the bigger size to 12/16 just befor the first piece which will go up and over the tank.

 

[Country joe]

I got about lost with your mentioning of spray bars, I have tried them and I don't like them, it was simple I don't know if glass lily pipes is a UK thing, but I have bought the pipes and the tubes so I'm going to go ahead, I know I will reduce the flow,but my tank is 70 litres, and the 107 is for up to 130 litres, and yes I know these companies like to add more litres.
I know they say you can also burn out the motor, but also some say they have never had a problem, I don't want to seem like Mr money bags but 107 is not too expensive and if that happens maybe fluval would sell me a new lid, and I would go back to the original hoses.

 

[Country joe]

 

[Country joe]

Well it's ip and running and as its glass you can hardly see it. I'm a bit surprised as the flow is okay and the fluval 107 is purring away making no funny noises
Let's hope it lasts

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I love spray bars. never had any issues and I believe they are one of the better outputs out there.

However, this is the best part of our hobby. There aare options and we get to choose what works best for us. I feel I can have better control over canisters and even othe equipment outputs with the spray bars. I have used them with H.O.T. Magnums (no longer made) and powerheads.

Glad you got it worked out to your satisfaction. But I think you should read the below which is from SeriouslyFish.com, bold added by me.

Maintenance​

This timid species should ideally be kept in a heavily-planted set-up, preferably with a dark substrate.

The broken lines of sight that exist in such a display allow it to display natural behaviour as well as helping to reduce skittishness.

Floating plants are a useful addition but driftwood and oak/beech/almond leaf litter are best avoided as the tannins they release are not a feature of its natural waters.

Use gentle filtration; an air-powered sponge-style unit should prove adequate.