my ugj... i will update regularly

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4193.jpg
this right here is a picture of the pump, a 3/4" clear plastic tube, an a-590 nylon barb to mip adapter (3/4"x3/4"), an sch 40 female adapter (3/4"), about 2 inches of pvc pipe, and a 3/4" elbow.

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4192.jpg
this is a picture of just the adapters and the packaging that they came in at lowes

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4190.jpg
the beginning of a long project... all of the materials (except for the pumps and the prefilters) were puirchased at lowes last night for just about 25 bucks, including the amazing (and completely necessary) pipe cutter that is going to save me hours of sawing and filing!!!!!

[kewlkatdady]

That sure seems high for a UGJ...
Mine only went into a 36x18 tank but I spent $12 including the spray paint to paint it black.


oh nevermind...I just noticed you bought a tool....

in that case it looks good...updates man...

It doesn't take long to put these together.

[biggin]

Cool, you better keep the pics coming.

Otherwise....:npics:

Good luck, I just wish I really felt the need for it, it seems like a fun project.

[budwick weiser]

Good luck, I just wish I really felt the need for it, it seems like a fun project.

the need? i hate vacuuming my aquariums... this 136 would be a nightmare... hopefully it will virtually eliminate the need to do so

[biggin]

:confuzeld:
.... I do not really think so, especially with the fish you are looking for. I could be wrong.

Also I think you were looking for Blue Jack Dempesys right? I hate to send people there but Dallas North Aquarium had some really nice looking ones.... about 1-1.5" $40 each.

the need? i hate vacuuming my aquariums... this 136 would be a nightmare... hopefully it will virtually eliminate the need to do so

[AndrewH]

Sweet!!!

Did you ever find those flow control valves in the box?

Didn't you do a layout plan?

[AndrewH]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/budwickUGJs.jpg

Red = potential dead spots
Purple = I would suggest making the runs as straight as possible
1. easier to build.
2. the more bends, the more you restrict the flow.

[budwick weiser]

good call andrew, that was a really shystee stetch i did with my laptop in ms paint so i'm sure i'll have something in the end that looks completely different. oh, and i think i did find the restrictor stuff, just haven't decided if i'm going to use it yet though.

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4195.jpg
here is some interesting pvc that i found at the hardware store... as cheap as the shizzle is, i thought i'd cut them in half and see if i could make some unique nozzles out of them

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4197.jpg

so... i put all of my 'nozzles' into a pot with some water and boiled it up for 2 minutes. after that, i grabed my tongs and pulled them out one by one. i used a combination of pliers and channel locks to push down on the pvc and get it to form the shape that i thought would create an optimal current in my tank.

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4199.jpg

here is a picture of the finished nozzles... i made plenty extra just in case i decided i wanted to add more jets.

[ElijahTurtle]

Cool! :clap:

[FishGurl721]

holy moly that looks like alot of work. what is this gonna be for?

[budwick weiser]

holy moly that looks like alot of work. what is this gonna be for?

oh, hey gorgeous!

it's supposed to create a strong enough current on the bottom of my aquarium that the fish poop doesn't gather in the gravel, but instead, stick to the filters in the back. we'll see how well it works, but at the very least it'll give the fish a fun ride.

[rolloffhill]

oh, hey gorgeous!




:hehe: subtle...

[biggin]

oh, hey gorgeous!

I mentioned acting like a 12 year old somewhere didn't I?

[budwick weiser]

I mentioned acting like a 12 year old somewhere didn't I?
so you're saying that by me saying something nice to a girl i'm acting like a 12 year old? sure you're married and your young and promiscuous life is over, but mine's not (not to say that i'm a slut, just not tied down at the moment).

[kewlkatdady]

just not tied down at the moment.


Surprise Surprise...:flipa:

[kewlkatdady]

it's supposed to create a strong enough current on the bottom of my aquarium that the fish poop doesn't gather in the GRAVEL, but instead, stick to the filters in the back. we'll see how well it works, but at the very least it'll give the fish a fun ride.

The UGJ are NOT as effective with gravel as they are with sand or any other fine substrate...

But it should still help. You WILL have to gravel vac just the same though.

[budwick weiser]

Surprise Surprise...:flipa:

you jackasses should stop cock blocking

[FishGurl721]

lol I appreciate the compliment budwick! :) But I am spoken for..sorry

[budwick weiser]

lol I appreciate the compliment budwick! :) But I am spoken for..sorry

i've already been told that you are in a relationship... i just think it's stupid that these guys are calling me a 12 year old for paying you a compliment.

[FishGurl721]

well i appreciated it! dont let them discourage you! ;)

[bra8ndy8]

... i just think it's stupid that these guys are calling me a 12 year old for paying you a compliment.


I think it's FREAKING hilarious!! Suck it up Sean....or go sit in the corner!:p:

[biggin]

Just giving you a little crap bud man. Kinda like joking with you not being old enough to drink.

i've already been told that you are in a relationship... i just think it's stupid that these guys are calling me a 12 year old for paying you a compliment.

[budwick weiser]

as a matter of fact that was kind of funny cause i'm 24 and my buddy that came with me is 19 and noone said anything to him.

[poel_19]

you gotta get ribbed every now and then....shows love!

[biggin]

We didn't know him.... trying to make a good impression.

as a matter of fact that was kind of funny cause i'm 24 and my buddy that came with me is 19 and noone said anything to him.

[budwick weiser]

We didn't know him.... trying to make a good impression.

lol, that's nice!

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4200.jpg

here is my arrangement, i fiddle-farted around with it for about 5 minutes until i got a good idea of where i wanted everything to go. then came the hard part (measuring and cutting!).........

[rolloffhill]

Maybe try a dry run before you glue...;)

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4201.jpg
here is how far i've gotten tonight (still day 1 of the ugj build). i would have finished it if i hadn't run short by just one effing pvc elbow!!! twill be done tomorrow, then i can start on the styrofoam background!

[budwick weiser]

Maybe try a dry run before you glue...;)


i'm not going to glue it...i've read around and they say that it's not necessary

if it leaks a little, it's not gonna get the water wet lol

[rolloffhill]

:hehe: didn't even think of that...:special:

[kewlkatdady]

I didn't mine...but I'm a little skittish about putting things in my aquariums...

I haven't seen any sign of not glueing being a problem. I also like the fact that I can change it without having to buy all new pvc fittings.
Looks good. What color will your substrate be? The reason I ask is if its going to be black or brown, you can rattle can the jets to get a close match to hide them even better. Thoughts?

[budwick weiser]

i'm doing the 3m substrate like biggin used. it's going to be black, so yah, i was planning on spraying it with black krylon fusion (i think that's the stuff that's supposed to be safe)

[budwick weiser]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/dbuffguy/CIMG4202.jpg
here's what it looks like in the tank... all that's left to do is spray paint it and then start on the background.

[poel_19]

looks good buddy

[budwick weiser]

looks good buddy


thank you, thank you.... can't wait till the tank gets finished... but i'm still trying to take my time and make sure this all gets done correctly (and so that i'm not pissed off at the end result)

[AndrewH]

Dang Sean, that's some nice progress!

Looks really good with clean cuts and jets, etc. Definitely let us see how it come after the paint (which the paint will help "seal" it and hold it together).


P.S. Here's your stand design... I'll work on getting you a BOM and estimated cost
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/07-12-07%20stand%20pics/BudwickStand.png

[budwick weiser]

sweet, thanks andrew... i think that's going to be next sunday's project

[poel_19]

BOM????

[budwick weiser]

BOM????

bill of materials

bank of montreal

bureau of meteorology

etc.... but i'm pretty sure he means the first one! lol

[poel_19]

i'm dumb today

[EAST_TX_RN]

Wow Andrew! You are so talented! Are you an architect?

[AndrewH]

BOM????

Yeah sorry, Bill of Materials. Basically, I'll detail out (when I post the BOM, it'll be a drawing with a color code for easy reference, no offence Chris) each piece of wood incase you want the store to cut them for you (I have to do it anyway to get the estimated cost).

Wow Andrew! You are so talented! Are you an architect?

Thank you very much. This was done with a very high powered computer program BTW, don't think I did this by hand :D.

Electrical Systems Designer (electrical engineer without a degree, but hope to change that soon), but I've worked for architects, interior designers, and manufacturing companies in the past (last 10 years to be exact).

[AndrewH]

Oh and if you'd like a copy of that file send me a PM and I'll send you the image file and the actual drawing file and tell you where you can download a free program to view and print (as well as other things, like take measurement, etc.) that file.

[poel_19]

Andrew, your so dreamy!!!:cheers::rofl::rofl:

[AndrewH]

I try, poel_19 :D

Here you go Sean:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/07-12-07%20stand%20pics/BudwickStand-Color2.png

[budwick weiser]

tits! i can't wait to build it!

[rolloffhill]

tits where???!?!?!

[kewlkatdady]

<homer voice on:>MMMMMMMMMMMM tits!!!! <homer voice off:>

<drool>

[FishGurl721]

lol yall are gross and silly :smack::seehearsay:

[biggin]

And you have not meet them.... give them time.... you will be really scared.

lol yall are gross and silly :smack::seehearsay:

[kewlkatdady]

you don't know the half of it...
we are pretty tame online...

you should see us when we play poker and drink a beer or two...or a case...

<insert Mr Burns' evil laugh here>

[AndrewH]

Yeah, she'll see on Saturday.

Be prepared to have some fun & laugh your butt off!

[biggin]

Except I think Bud is backing out, he is going on some silly date thing....

[kewlkatdady]

i wonder what his names is?:tease:

[AndrewH]

:rofl:

[rolloffhill]

:owned: roflmao

[budwick weiser]

i wonder what his names is?:tease:


my name is sean!?! can't believe you didn't remember that! and my date's name is ashley btw (jackass):D

[bra8ndy8]

LOL I never saw a blow up doll with the name of Ashley!!!

[kewlkatdady]

lol...
I'm just messing with you Sean...Good luck with your date.

[budwick weiser]

lol...
I'm just messing with you Sean...Good luck with your date.
oh i know... have a good pokeher night with the guys.

[AndrewH]

budwick, you ever get the UGJ system finished?

[budwick weiser]

ya i just have to spray paint it, stick it in the aquarium, and then get to work on the background.

[poel_19]

His name is Ashley??

[mike]

looks great ,, but i got a ? yes a newbie ? ,, are your pumps pulling water or pushing water in to your set up ?

[xtc]

what a great thread- I haven't been following til now. some funny stuff!

she :hehe:

color deficient!! :flipa:

[biggin]

The pumps push water through the jets.

looks great ,, but i got a ? yes a newbie ? ,, are your pumps pulling water or pushing water in to your set up ?

[mike]

ok so your getting the push from your return line from your sump , or just a power head ?

[biggin]

I think Sean and KewlKat used power heads, that is how I would do it.

[kewlkatdady]

you "could" use the sump pump, but I'd do it again like a did...
a powerhead.

[AndrewH]

Yeah, it comes down to number of jets used divided by power of the source (be it sump pump or powerhead).

If you have to low of a flow outta the jets they really don't do what they're supposed to do (keep the waste off the bottom so it can be picked up by the mechanical filtration system). The pump's output is effected by the distance it's flowing the water (effected more by vertical movement than horizontal) and also the number of jets used. If you can achieve the correct flow outta the jets using the sump pump, then there's no need to have extra powerheads. If the sump pump isn't enough, you can use powerhead mounted directly in the tank (meaning they're not pumping water up vertically like the sump pump would) which would allow them to be smaller.

If I remember correctly, kewlkatdady said 150-200 gph (gallons per hour, which is how pumps are rated) was pretty ideal for the flow at the jets. I would recommend that or higher as a target as it's easier to slow down the flow than speed it up, but it also depends on how far you're needing them to flow (as in 2-3 feet to the next jet, or 6 feet with no jets in between).

[kewlkatdady]

I've always heard around 100-150 gph's per jet...but I'm sure more is better...

[AndrewH]

I was thinking the more the worst at least with bottom dwellers and sand substrate. Plus I didn't think about only turning the system on as needed instead of having it running 24/7.

Running it as needed I bet higher would be fine.

[poel_19]

Where the hell is Weiser at????

[biggin]

I was thinking the same thing....

Where the hell is Weiser at????

[fishyjoe24]

what are you building with that stuff?

[budwick weiser]

sorry guys, i took a long nap. i'm back though.

[bra8ndy8]

you haven't updated REGULARLY!!

[budwick weiser]

you haven't updated REGULARLY!!
ya but i haven't done anything either, lol

[rolloffhill]

Were you in a coma?

[xtc]

hot date kept him tied up.

[bra8ndy8]

hot date kept him tied up.


Ummm...I'm not thinking so!!;)

[poel_19]

probably, what was his name again??

[AndrewH]

I think his name was Ashley, I'm not sure. Someone should ask Sean the next time they see him. :D

[ambitionz]

i want to do one of this in my 55 can someone help me on how to place the jets, size pump i need... and how many jets should i put? :)

[biggin]

I just read somewhere someone built one for a 55g.....

[kewlkatdady]

the jet design is established by rock location and filter intake location...
or at least that is what I used.
Really there is no set design...make it work for your tank.

You'll want a pump that is around 100 gph per jet.

Here is the thread on mine...
http://75.127.87.142/forums/production/showthread.php?t=263

i want to do one of this in my 55 can someone help me on how to place the jets, size pump i need... and how many jets should i put? :)

[AndrewH]

Basically, it starts with the aquascape of your tank. Meaning where you're going to place all the rocks, plants (real or fake), and other decorations.

Once you have a basic idea, you can then plan out the jet locations to keep waste from collecting on them.

I would highly recommend you check out KKD's UGJ design as Budwick seems to have disappeared.

[kewlkatdady]

now that I go back and look for the pictures that I had in my thread...

they are gone.

[AndrewH]

We wouldn't have done anything with them, did you move/delete them from your photobucket account or where ever they were?

[kewlkatdady]

oh yeah, that what I meant...

I guess I got rid of some old pics...


not saying yall did it...:drinking4:

[AndrewH]

:D, was just making sure you didn't think they got lost in the server move or something like that.

Take some new pic :p:

[kewlkatdady]

this is about the only pic I have that you can see the UGJ in...
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i134/kewlkatdady/58%20stand%20and%20canopy/58WITHSAND.jpg

I just have 3 jets...
1 in the back that blows across the back of the sand, one in the front that blows from the dead corner over...
then one front to back to aim it at the filter intake.

[greeneyed]

I just have 3 jets...
1 in the back that blows across the back of the sand, one in the front that blows from the dead corner over...
then one front to back to aim it at the filter intake.

Did you just paint PVC black or is that some other sort of piping?
If painted what kind of paint is safe to use that will adhere to the pipe?

[kewlkatdady]

i rattle canned it...

krylon fusion...

i think any spray paint will be fine AS LONG AS YOU LET IT CURE.

I'd say minimum of 24 hours...I let mine sit in the hot garage for about 36 hours.

[budwick weiser]

i'm here i'm here... i have been obsessed with my new snakes... i'm still planning on building up the tank, i've just found other ways lately to spend my money (like titty bars and alcohol). who wants to donate some driftwood, rocks, gravel, plants... etc etc etc??

[ElijahTurtle]

If painted what kind of paint is safe to use that will adhere to the pipe?

Krylon Fusion is tank safe. Alot of fish nerds are using in thier tanks on pvc returns & durso pipes, etc...withl no ill effects.

[ElijahTurtle]

who wants to donate some driftwood, rocks, gravel, plants... etc etc etc??
What's a titty bar gonna do with with that stuff? :confuzeld:
Thanks for the lap dance miss, here's a hand full of gravel...don't worry there's more where that came from :hehe::hehe::hehe:

[rolloffhill]

roflmao

[kewlkatdady]

:hehe:

[kewlkatdady]

I wish....

What's a titty bar gonna do with with that stuff? :confuzeld:
Thanks for the lap dance miss, here's a hand full of gravel...don't worry there's more where that came from :hehe::hehe::hehe:

[budwick weiser]

i forgot that you guys over-analyze things like whoa. you know what i meant!!!

[kewlkatdady]

"like whoa"
:hehe: