I need to find a vent/strainer

[Kathy]

I'm installing one of those 3D backgrounds in my 125 gal. tank and I'm looking for a vent/strainer thingy that I can install to allow waterflow behind the background. Does anybody know where I can find something like the ones pictured here, or have any other ideas?

I've taken a picture into Home Depot and Lowes and they couldn't come up with anything like this.

[greeneyed]

What diameter do you need?
I will look around and see what I can find?
How much are you looking to spend?

[Kathy]

What diameter do you need?
I will look around and see what I can find?
How much are you looking to spend?

Since I haven't drilled any holes yet, diameter is flexible. I'd prefer something that is fairly small (1.5 to 2") but I'm not picky. I'm also open on the price.

[xtc]

would a small powerhead not work?

Pull water from the body of the tank and push it into the space behind the background and back out to the front by water pressure? Even pull the water out of the tank via small tube and into the back via another small tube- completely enclosed.

[greeneyed]

What about a pc fan grill plastic of course?
May not be round, but might work.

This one is a little over 1.57 inches:

Or maybe try a pool supply store?

[Kathy]

would a small powerhead not work?

Pull water from the body of the tank and push it into the space behind the background and back out to the front by water pressure? Even pull the water out of the tank via small tube and into the back via another small tube- completely enclosed.

I'm planning on using 2 canister filters and the intake tubes will be behind the background so I don't know that the powerhead would help? I really only need something that will let water through, but not fish.

[Kathy]

What about a pc fan grill plastic of course?
May not be round, but might work.

This one is a little over 1.57 inches:

Or maybe try a pool supply store?

Well now that's an interesting idea...and might just work. Me and my trusty dremmel can cut square just as easily as round.

Where can I find one of those?

[greeneyed]

I just went to the first one listed by google. Sorry I thought I posted a link HERE (http://shop.willyselectronics.com/browse.cfm/4,8463.htm)
But you can get them anywhere. Radio Shack might have plastic ones or a computer store??

[rolloffhill]

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/30455-01-500.jpg

Isn't quite the same but similar...http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1177&filter=vent

[greeneyed]

HD has these: http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/0df9ae3f-f878-4f80-80fe-070494c82f31_300.jpg

Smaller is 2".

[Kathy]

I ordered some of these yesterday. (http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=3271)

[AndrewH]

Nice. Definitely let us know how they work out for ya.

I was thinking just put some window screen behind the hole. But I guess that might be too fine and get clogged easily.

[Kathy]

Yeah, I thought about using window screen but came to the same conclusion that you did, that it would be too fine. I also looked at some bird netting but the grid was too large and I couldn't find anything inbetween.

[Kathy]

Greeneyed...You are Da Man!

I got a little carried away with the silicone.

[Kathy]

Here's the end result. I ended up putting 4 drain vents in the background. I need to replace the bulb on the right...it's one of those 50/50 bulbs that makes everything blue. I also don't care for the seam down the middle, but oh well.

Note: The heaters will be behind the background and fish are going in tomorrow.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l204/kjmillerfw/IMG_1343.jpg

[Kathy]

I'm really gonna be hard to live with when I get those discus in there. :brandy:

P.S. Blake, the buff GM Quarz was an excellent suggestion!

[biggin]

Is that what you used? White Color Quartz?

[rolloffhill]

Looks good!!

[Kathy]

P.S. Blake, the buff GM Quarz was an excellent suggestion!

Maybe this is a better picture.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l204/kjmillerfw/IMG_1350.jpg

[Kathy]

I decided not to fool with adding any black.

[biggin]

Can not tell you how much of this I have laying around now....

[xtc]

looks excellent!! and with a strategically placed plant- you'll never know that seem is there.

[fatfutures]

Kathy, it looks awesome!

I think going with a lighter substrate is a wise choice. I think it helps offset the darker background and keep the Discus from displaying darkers. Can't WAIT to see the fishies in there!

[greeneyed]

Looks nice!! Glad the fan guards worked out for ya.
Can't wait to see it with the discus in there.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Kathy, you have done a remarkable job on that tank! Good choice of substrate color!

[Kathy]

Thanks everyone.

I'm waiting on my second XP3 to arrive so for now I have an AC 500 hanging on the side of the tank. I also had to have the glass top cut smaller to accommodate the XP3 outflow pipe. I'll probably move the taller planted driftwood over in the middle to cover the splice as Chris suggested.

I added the discus today and they don't know what to think about all of this stuff surrounding them. I'll get a better picture once they get acclimated and I get the plants and filters all sorted out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l204/kjmillerfw/IMG_1402.jpg

[DiscusD]

Kathy

Looks great you have some very nice specimens of Discus.
D'Wyatt

[supersmirky]

DANG....what a change! I love it, you did a great job on putting that together. I agree....the lighter color on the bottom was probably a wise choice! Keep us updated. I know you are proud of that tank!!!

:shocked:

[kewlkatdady]

dude...
Kathy, beautiful tank and discus.

[Kathy]

Kathy

Looks great you have some very nice specimens of Discus.
D'Wyatt

I definitely take that as a compliment from you Bud...Thanks!

I'm just not sure that I can hang with the extra work that this will take to keep clean but we'll see how it goes. I still say that bare-bottom is the way to go but then again...I've always been one that likes a challenge! :brandy:

Thanks Smirk and Kewl too.

[bra8ndy8]

wow it looks beautiful!!!!!

[AndrewH]

Wow very nice install!

One thing I've really noticed it the fact that I can't see the fan grills. I know where they are and still can't see 'em. Excellent job!

The tank looks awesome and the fish simply amazing!

[Kathy]

Wow very nice install!

One thing I've really noticed it the fact that I can't see the fan grills. I know where they are and still can't see 'em. Excellent job!

The tank looks awesome and the fish simply amazing!

That's cuz the camera's too far away. :D

They are visible but not too distracting and they are really doing their job. Again...thanks Greeneyed for the great solution!

[AndrewH]

Well I say if you can see the entire tank in the picture (and I have a wide screen monitor so the pictures even bigger for me at home than at work) and they're still not that noticable with an empty tank, it's a very nice install.

Plus with the fish and decor in you can't see 'em at all, that's just down right impressive!!!