River tank Manifold

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:03 pm

I'm in the process of converting my 4ft by 1ft by 1 1/2 ft tank into a river style tank as I'm moving my hillstream fish from a smaller tank and the mainfold design on there is not very good.

Can I use this for a glue for the PVC tubes?
http://www.pipestock.com/Accessories_22 ... l_Tin_238/

I am also planning to order the PVC tubes from here as well.

I'm hoping to use 2 AquaClear 50 (402) powerheads, can anyone suggest a suitable adapter I can use to fit it onto the PVC tubes? (3/4 inch tubes).

Sorry if none of this makes sense!

Cheers,
Mike

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:45 pm

Hi Mike,

We used a solvent weld glue by Tangit for the pipework on our manifolds. This is a product that is used in a lot of marine systems, so we were confident that it would be safe.

To be 100% on this particular product you are thinking of using, you'd be best to ask the manufacturers what they think, just to be sure.

You should be able to obtain the Tangit stuff from any aquatics store that orders from Aquamedic or Tunze (they may have to place an order for it though as not everyone will carry it in stock). Some plumbing merchants will have it too.

Emma

Mark in Vancouver · Post by **Mark in Vancouver** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:47 pm

When I built my manifold, the lfs had an aquarium safe sealant in stock. I think the secret is to let it set for a few days before adding any water.

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:55 pm

Thanks Emma and Mark,

I have just e-mailed the company, so will just be waiting a reply.

Would a normal silicone sealant from most aquarium stores work as well?

Cheers...

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:01 pm

Using silicon sealant would be very tricky as it doesn't set particularly quickly (so you'd have to wait for one joint to dry before starting the next, otherwise it would all start moving out of place). The Tangit stuff works by melting the pipe and socket together and it sets solid within about 20 seconds. If using this, it is important to firstly fit all your pipework together without glue and get it just how you want it before marking each adjoining piece with a marker pen. That way, when you take it apart to start applying the solvent weld glue, you can match each piece together very quickly where you have applied the small marks, and hold it in place for a few seconds until it has bonded solidly.

Emma

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:10 pm

Oh right,

I think I'll wait until I get an e-mail back and then decide what to do, if it is OK to use then I'll get it.

Thanks for all of your help

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:19 pm

No problem.

If you haven't yet got your powerheads, I would recommend the Maxijets simply because they are so easy to adapt to fit the manifold pipework. They come with a staggered downpipe that slots straight into most typically sized manifold pipework T-pieces. It makes things so much easier. I used to have Aquaclears on my old river tank, and it really needed quite a bit of improvisation (and trial and error) to get them to fit into the pipework. Obviously they can't just be glued into position as you need to be able to lift them out for maintenance now and again. I wouldn't hesitate in using more Maxijets if I was to set up another. I think they are slightly noisier, but the ease of fitting sold it to me!

Emma

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:22 pm

P.S. Here is a picture showing how well the Maxijets fit in:

All the pipework is solvent welded together except for the top egde of the staggered pipe that fits into the powerheads. This is actually a snug fit on its own, and means that I can get in and clean them easily when need be.

Emma

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:48 am

PVC solvent actually liquifies the PVC where it is applied, then you stick the two parts together and it re-solidifies.
Silicone does not do this. Use real PVC solvent for PVC work.

I know that I am not in the UK, but here, PVC pipe, fittings and solvent is available in hardware stores; it is a stock item, I do not have to order anything.

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:25 pm

Emma, I've already ordered 2 Aquaclear 802's, perhaps I should of ordered the maxijets to save the hassle. Maybe I'll use them next time I set up a river tank. It would be a lot easier I guess but then again setting up a manifold is complicated, so I may as well make it even more so!

I got a reply and I was told that it doesn't have any effect on the water quality in any way, so long you leave it for atleast 2 days it should be fine. I think I'm going to go ahead and order.

Cheers,
Mike

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:51 pm

I've decided to cancel the order with the powerheads as their were a few complications. This time round I'm going to get 2 Maxijet MP 1200's. The PVC pipe I'm getting will be 3/4" , is this the same as yours Emma?

Cheers,
Mike

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:14 pm

We used PVC pipework from Aquamedic which is 20mm diameter, so it's of a similar measurement to yours. The Maxijets (ours are also the 1200 models) come with the stepped plastic uptake pipe which then just slots into the T-pieces. We solvent welded all pipework together, including the narrow end of the stepped pipework which fits into the T. The top is a tight fit into the powerhead so doesn't need gluing and then enables you to remove the powerheads for maintenence when needed.

Good luck, post some pics as you go along for us all to see.

Emma

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:24 pm

Thanks for your help Emma,

I will try and get some Pictures of my progress. The tank at the moment holds a Mudskipper, so basically I'm swapping the tanks around so it may take a while. I should be doing it in a week or 2 when I get everything I need, but I'll do a little journal.

Cheers,
Mike

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:03 pm

The website I've found sells 20mm PVC pipes too, so I'll order them instead.

Cheers,
Mike

Martin Thoene · Post by **Martin Thoene** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:43 am

The regular PVC cement is ok once it has set and been given 24 hours or so to gas off its fumes. I generally flush out the pipework then and scrub the exterior before placing into a tank. Never had a problem.
Silicone will do the job but in time the bonds will break and then the structural integrity goes out the window.

Remember that these PVC solvent glues are used domestically in "Potable" water systems (i.e.drinking water) so they're safe.

Martin.

Loaches Online Forum

River tank Manifold

River tank Manifold

Who is online

Go to page

About us