Xp3 diy

[small_ranchu]

Hi all,
I just bought XP3 from craiglists for really cheap price. It doesn't has pipe, intake, spray bar or media.
First I would like to know what should I do for DIY input/output pipe line?

and what should I use for internal media?

Thank you.

[Ajno]

You might be able to find some pipe at a hardware store like Lowe's or Home Depot to make intakes and spray bar. I use 2 pieces of foam on the bottom and the rest ceramic media like biomax.

[thomasn]

how much do you want to spend? what do you want the result to look like?

you can make the intake and output pipes from PVC pipe or clear acrylic if you wanted. PVC is easiest but ugly. I have seen people make nice looking intake/spray bar out of clear acrylic tubes.
I believe the hoses are 5/8 inside diameter.

[small_ranchu]

You might be able to find some pipe at a hardware store like Lowe's or Home Depot to make intakes and spray bar. I use 2 pieces of foam on the bottom and the rest ceramic media like biomax.
Thanks Angie.
Where can I get the foam?

[small_ranchu]

how much do you want to spend? what do you want the result to look like?

you can make the intake and output pipes from PVC pipe or clear acrylic if you wanted. PVC is easiest but ugly. I have seen people make nice looking intake/spray bar out of clear acrylic tubes.
I believe the hoses are 5/8 inside diameter.

The cheaper will be the better :) I am not worrying about the look. I just don't want to slow down the flow.

Please help me.

[thomasn]

would something like this work? I'm sure you can find the stuff in hardware stores in NY for 10-15 but I haven't done it sooo...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/the_jive_turkey/renadiy.jpg



here are links for reference and to give you an idea on the cost
http://www.aquacave.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=443
http://www.clearpvcpipe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=46
http://www.plumbingstore.com/pvc.html#hose

[thomasn]

this one has all parts labeled. there's a time limit on editing so I put this in new post, feel free to combine because I am deleting the pic in the previous post
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/the_jive_turkey/renadiy-1.jpg

[Ajno]

I got the foam off ebay. Same crap that goes in the filter. Some people spray their pvc with krylon fusion paint and its supposed to be ok for aquariums, but don't quote me on it to make it look better.

[Fishguy2727]

For media I would do course mechanical (course foam), fine mechanical (I cram polyester pillow stuffing into the compartment after the course mechanical) and fill the rest with biological media. I would use Seachem's Matrix because it has a higher bioavailable surface area and allows for denitrification.

[small_ranchu]

Thanks all, I will see what I can do at hardware store.