bookholder planted waterfall

[cam191919]

i took one of these, put a 16 gph filter with a 1/4 in tube and tried to make a planted waterfall, but the filter isnt strong enough to pull the water through the tube. is ther any way that i could make it work without changing the filter? the tube is 22 in long (thats as short as i could get it)
http://content.officemax.com/catalog/images/397x353/20334719i_01.jpg

[jmhart]

I think this is a case where more detail could help us solve your problem...go a little more in depth about what you are trying to do and how.


You are trying to suck the water from the bottom, through a filter(what kind of filter) and then route it to the top?

If that's what you are trying to do, you might just need a more powerful filter/pump.

[Notophthalmus]

I would put a little powerhead in the bottom and an outlet tube going to the top; remember, pumps don't pull, they push. A chunk of filter sponge as a prefilter in front of the powerhead intake should do the trick as far as filtration.

[THE V]

A 16 GPH filter pump just doesn't have enough power to lift the water up the 22 inches to the top of the literature holder.

You will have to invest in a more powerful filter or a small fountain pump/powerhead to handle the job.

[cam191919]

the tube goes from the filter, down 3 inches, across 3 in, up 5.5 in, over a half inch, the down ten in

[Sploke]

Yep, sounds like you just need a more powerful pump/powerhead. Also, 1/4" tube is really tiny for anything trying to move water. The friction of just trying to push water through a tube that small is probably more than the few inches of lift its trying to accomplish. I'd go with something at least 1/2" ID.

[cam191919]

i wasnt sure if bigger or smaller tubeing would work. i have 1/2 in. the water almost reaches the top of the "hill" so a small change would probably do it

[Sploke]

If I were to do that I would put bulkhead fittings in the back of the top and bottom compartments so you could run some 1/2" or 3/4" pvc, or a straight run of hose, up the back, out and in, so you couldn't see any of the plumbing.

[DooSPX]

well, any updates on this... sounds like a cool idea. Pics would be great

[wataugachicken]

the more "corners" your tubing has, the harder the pump has to work to push water. make the line as direct as possible for the highest flow.

[cam191919]

im still trying. i resorted to drilling holes in it for the tube but im having filter problems now. as for pics i wish i knew how. i think my computer hates me

[DooSPX]

a few options for pics... if you click Go Advanced when you reply, scroll down, you will see Manage Attachments, click that, and you can browse for your pics....
or you can get a photobucket upload the pics there, and copy the IMG link and paste it in your reply....