For those with closed loops, what do you use as a strainer?

[bleedingthought]

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best thing to use as a strainer on a closed loop intake. Take into consideration anemones and small snails. If at all possible, I'd like to use something that's doesn't stick out too much into the tank. What do ya'll have?

 

[Anonymous]

you can put a 90degree elbow/strainer on it if you worried about it sticking out from the wall.

 

[Anonymous]

We have used a long piece of pvc with a zillion small holes drilled in it, this does stand out quite a bit but it was hidden behind the rockwork.

 

[bleedingthought]

I have considered both. The elbow would still probably be too much velocity in. The long piece of PVC would probably work, but it's harder to hide.

I was thinking about a large PVC cap (maybe a 4" or a 6" cap) that I could cut the stop out like a slice, drill a bunch of holes in it, glue a small section of PVC on the center on the inside and stick that in the bulkhead. Sort of like a large mushroom cap drain. I figured that would stick out far from the glass but instead kind of spread it.

Does that make sense? Still trying to find other routes, though.

 

[MajorJoey]

maybe this would work http://spapartsnet.com/Plumbing-Parts/Suction-Fittings/640-3280_1524_4_1.html

 

[bleedingthought]

That's a really cool website. I have never run across it before. They have a lot of neat looking drains. I'm going to ask them about dimensions and such. Hopefully they're not too big!

Thanks!

Keep the ideas coming, guys!!! 8)

 

[pwj1286]

thats my strainer. I cut some off. 8 inches or so. I dont have a cap on it in this image.
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[trido]

thats my strainer. I cut some off. 8 inches or so. I dont have a cap on it in this image.

I use the same thing over the back

 

[bleedingthought]

How's it working out for you? Does it require a lot of cleaning? I bet it spreads out the suction force pretty well, though. Was it hard to hide 8 inches of pipe?

 

[trido]

I have never cleaned my CL intakes. Dont hide it, embrace it. I have two CL intakes and on my AGA 120, they blend into the back corners between the overflows and the back corner of the tank.

 

[bleedingthought]

Embrace it?! :lol:

 

[IslandCrow]

I went with the PVC with a bunch of holes drilled in it for my closed loop, but if you go to Aquatic Ecosystems (can't remember the web address, so you'll have to google it), they sell a mesh type thing that is the perfect diameter to fit over 1" PVC. Could be useful.

 

[bleedingthought]

I've seen the mesh stuff. It's expensive and I think it'd be the same as just drilling holes into a piece of pipe.

 

[Anonymous]

I use two of these buggers:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... uct=FT8577

The work pretty well. Lots of slits instead of holes. They take a while to really clog up.

Also, they screw directly into the bulkheads, so they don't take up too much room.

 

[spaulr]

I used what John Henry used. They were black, which matched the the background of the tank, and easy to remove and clean.