Devins diy waterfall ATS

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ok ats are all the rage rn in the hobby. Ive been meaning to do this diy thread on ats.
I enjoy diy in the hobby and think its part of building my tanks. Especially custom displays ect.
I also believe if you want something done right. You have to do it yourself. Lol.

Heres a little write up on diy ats. This one is designed to be fed off of your return pump or be T'd of your main return line.

Things youll need and tools
-Pvc
-Dremel and cutter disc. I paid $30 or so on amazon...
-gate valve of approptiate size
-knitting mesh
-hole saw bit
-tubing
-pump
-zip ties
-small rectangle.plastic piece with two holes. *not required or needed but recommended*

Pretty.basic simple stuff.
Pics and details to follow

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Here is the frame work for the ats with thr gate valve and no knitting installed.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Here it is fully operational

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

4 months. Dont forget a light source! Like i forgot mention is needed.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Heres your pvc.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Gate valve

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Possible barb fitting if your.doing a free.standing unit with a seperate water feed pump.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Youll see.my unit 90s down. I do this to put a cap.on it and take the cap.off if i need more.water.flow.through.
It also provides.more.stability to the frame work and allows the install of a side.guard or.spray guard. Lol. You can see.it.on mine in the pics.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Seperate.water feed.pump.if ur not.piggy backing off another pump lol. These.dont need a.lot.of.flow..lower.trickle.imo is gonna be better or best.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Seperate water feed tubing to the barb fitting.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Here you see an aftermarket ats.in tank or external. Great little.unit. i used.it.on a 9g horizontal bowfront tank. U can see it did a.good job. 1 thing they missed...
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

They didnt scruff up the mesh! Dont be afraid to scruff the mesh nice and good or.score it to make a friction or ruff surface on your mesh. Youll thank me later as it grows nice and dense and thicker as it has something to grasp onto and hold onto.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Cutting the actual pvc.to allow the water.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

This is where that dremel and.cutter.disc come into play

Dont be afraid as this $40 dremel tool.cut through the pvc plastic.like.butter. made dust.of.it.
Where safty.glasses.please. and gloves.

Two hands on the dremel. Ease into it
Cut away from you.
Also use a.clamp..or. C clamp it down..dont hold.it...
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Finally assembly is a simple matter of a knife. Poking holes. Attaching zip ties and a union. Pvc glue is good but not needed with a free standing unit.

I havend made or designed a standing unit but will be here in the future.

Both a triangle stand and a rectangular unit frame. Both made from 1/2" pvc.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Here is the downpipe of my 90 side guard submerged. The cap is just pushed on. No glue.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Here is a diagram of a free standing unit with its own triangle 1/2" pvc frame work. The barb would go where the arrows are. This is your water intake. Put the gate after this for.control of ur water flow or get a dc pump. Lol!

The rectangle unit i picture in my head like a tower surrounding the net. You would be able to make as tall as you like.
D

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

mmmmmmmm algae