help with input (lift) tube for new pump

[DallasFish]

Hi All -

I have an Eheim 1260 pump that I plan to use to with my chiller in my 55g fw tank. My problem is that the input on the 1260 is 1", and the tubing into and out of the tank is all 1/2", and using eheim 1/2" input and output kits (input tube and spraybar).

I know I can reduce the output side of the pump from 5/8 to 1/2", but I've been advised not to restrict the input. So, do I need to build my own input tube to go in the tank that connects to the 1" tubing? Any tips on this? I don't want to end up sucking up the residents and shooting them through the pump...

Thank you in advance!!

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

I'm currently working on changing my linlet/outlet hoses on my Fluval so I have been reading up on things and looking around. Mine came with ribbed 14mm hose(inlet/outlet) and I plan on swapping it for 3/4 or 5/8 inlet and 5/8 or 1/2 outlet. Its hard finding the exact parts I want. So I'm still looking around.

It seems most Eheim cannisters come with larger inlets than outlets, which makes sense b/c it mainly a syphon/gravity feed.

It kinda depends on what exact parts your looking for. They make large straight hard tubes, but if you need one that is curved to go over the tank edge then its harder to find.

I'll just list a couple links of stuff that you maybe could use:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/hydrolifts.html
http://www.aquariumguys.com/thinwall-rigid-tubing.html
not sure on the size of this one?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/intaketube9.html

 

[DallasFish]

Speed thanks for the tips! I suppose I could just rig up a screen of some sort at the bottom of the tube to keep the fish in the thank.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, they are a couple of intake strainers for 1" pipes, Eheim makes some and that other has some also I think.

This is what I will be using since I have shrimp, it comes with 3 adapters to fit most tubing although I have not called to find out exactly what size they are for yet(calling now).
http://www.aquariumguys.com/lupr.html

You can piggy back them together also like this:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...nvertebrates/53876-xp3-sponge-pre-filter.html

You could also possibly use a Hydro sponge as an inlet/prefilter?

 

[DallasFish]

Speed I've got some stuff to start:

For the intake:

I found 1" PVC at Lowes (the schedule 80 is dark gray which goes ok with my black background). It is water pipe, not electrical conduit. I got a 12" length threaded at both ends. I'll make a U from elbows and put the 1" slip-on connector on the other end of the U, to connect to 1" tubing with a hose clamp. The other end connects to the eheim pump input. I'm going to cover the bottom of the 12" length with that black needlework mesh from Michael's.

For the output:

Found a 3/4" MPT to 1/2" hose connector, will put that into the Eheim pump output, run 1/2" vinyl tubing from it into the chiller, and then from the chiller up to the 1/2" ehiem spraybar kit.

Wish me luck!

 

[DallasFish]

Update: It works!

I have the pump working circulating water through the chiller, and the temps are down where I expect. The Eheim 1260 is VERY quiet running externally. I ended up running 1" tubing from the input tube to the pump, 5/8" from the pump to the chiller, and 1/2 from the chiller to the spraybar.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

Nice Work!

Now we need a pic, lol

 

[DallasFish]

Updated pics here. Thanks y'all for your help!

 

[DallasFish]

DEAD FISH - back to drawing board...

Unfortunately tonight I found my BN pleco had gotten stuck up against the screen of the 1" input and died. I HATE that - I love plecos

So I have to rethink the intake.

 

[DallasFish]

All -

Neilan has already solved this problem in a cheap, easy, and effective way, check out http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showpost.php?p=775043&postcount=16

I'm going to build one as soon as I can.

Thanks Neilan!

 

[DallasFish]

Just another update - the Neilan solution worked great, but I decided to put a sponge on the intake instead as a prefilter to stop crud from getting up into the chiller loop.