Ok so I got my filter all plumbed and ready to go...gonna test everything out tomorrow (well today technically I guess since its 1:30am and i'm on here! haha!)

Decided to fill it about 3/4 of the way...mainly because i'm impatient and wanted to see water in it! haha! Still waiting on the rest of the sand as you all know!:angry: haha!

Had to modify my canopy and notch out the wood so the intake would fit under it...the cleanout valve was hitting...so after two runs to Home Depot today to get random little things I needed it mostly done! Just waiting for my airpump to get here also since I ordered the wrong one and it was way underpowered. Still waiting to hear from that guy who has the light for sale also since he seems to have disappeared on me...if I don't hear from him this weekend i'm just gonna go to Home Depot again and make my own light!

And before I keep rambling on...here is a pic for everyone! Looking a little better I think!

Oh and before I forget to ask...does it matter what side the heater goes on? Or should it be closer to either the intake or the spray bar? Just curious...once I get the Rena filter it won't matter cuz I got a Rena heater and it replaces the intake pipe but i'll be using just the eheim for now and didn't know if it made any difference where the heater gets located...thanks!

dunno about the exact placement but i know it's best to keep it diagonal or horizontal or best use of the element.
But i'm sure you knew that.
Just told you cuz i didn't when i started out.
I placed it vertical in a corner then....
Mine is in between the in and outlet, thought that was best cuz heat will rise and get pushed through the tank by the spraybar.

Thanks Noddy...that makes sense since the spray bar would circulate the heated water anyway. Gonna get the heater put in tomorrow and finish up the other small stuff as well...then crossin my fingers for the filter test! haha! Hope everything works!

Haha! Nice one Noddy!


On a bad note...just figured I'd run downstairs and test the filter out and the damn thing leaks!!! :angry: The outlet barb on the eheim detachable nozzle unit has a crack in it so I'm gonna have to replace that now...and there is a very slow leak from where the two pieces of the top unit go together so i'm hoping thats just a gasket or something...still not what I wanted to have happen...so now its gonna be a longer wait to get everything running...and hopefully the filter parts won't cost a lot of money because my wallet is pretty much drained right now! :angry: :angry: :angry:

Think its time for sleep...hopefully i'll be able to figure things out in the morning.

very nice soo close now man

Win wrote:


Thanks ...if it weren't for the damn filter!!! Now the parts I need for it are out of stock so who knows when i'll be able to get it fixed :angry: Oh well...should only be about $30 and hopefully that will do it...still its frustrating!

lol i just reread that, i missed the post about your leak there... shitty deal, hope you get that worked out man.

I think he must have Ich by now ))))
place the heater any end you like or even on back. best to have it low down. at least below the line you drain to do you water change. if it ends up above water when you change water it will break.

Win wrote:


Thanks...so do I...well, at least it takes my mind off the sand!

lol! your a cup half full kind of guy arent you?