[AquaticLife] Water Bridge Tank Connector Question
Were you planning on having the tanks far apart or right next to each other?
If right next to each other and you just wanted to take advantage of the added water volume without creating the actual bridge that the fish could swim through, then you could use a couple of U-tubes (at least two for redundancy) http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/2618/product.web with filter intake screens or a large pore intake sponge cover on them which would provide the water flow between the two tanks with the filter intake on one tank and the return in the other tank. You could also make these out of simple 3/4″ to 1″ PVC pipe and fittings but the above U-tubes will probably fit over two thinner framed tanks. Then you could turn the one tank into a nicely planted tank and have the goldfish in the other tank so the water and fish will still benefit from the plants without the goldfish constantly remodeling the plants for you.
This following article about a DIY overflow box will give you ideas on bending plexiglass if you still want to make the bridge like the one on eBay but having it go deeper into your tanks. You could start off with a 1/4″ sheet of plexiglass. Cut a 4″ wide strip a couple of feet long and heating up the areas where you want to bend the strip until you have the shape you want with the two down sections going into each tank and the length you want between the tanks. Then measure the top piece so it’s 4″ above the bottom and where the bends should be and then you cut two side pieces in the inverted U shape, use acrylic epoxy (the same kind used on acrylic aquariums) to glue the two inverted U sides to the top and bottom shaped pieces, cut/sand off any rough edges.. especially the ends that go in the tank and viola… your own DIY bridge with a single sheet of plexiglass. Turn it upside down, fill it with water to test your seams, wiggle or bump it a little to test it’s resiliency and if it doesn’t leak, then you are good to go. If it leaks, at least with the 4″ square openings, you should be able to work on any leaks in the seams from the inside and also from the outside of your bridge.
This page on the USPlastics site has clear 90o PVC elbows or 45o bends.. but none of these pipe options are very cost friendly… to go with the pipes if you wanted to go with the pipe and have it all clear. Clear acrylic epoxy would probably work as a glue but check this out more or ask USPlastic’s for a clear alternative glue. The only PVC glue that I use is purple. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&categ ory%5Fname=54&Page=1
I’d go with the least expensive option you can… saving any money for the larger tank that would be the best option for all involved.
Lenny Vasbinder Fish Blog - http://GoldLenny.blogspot.com (Links to any articles referenced in above reply are listed on the right side, alphabetically under Labels and also under Archives by Year, Month)
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
