Question about pvc for Snowflake

garvin90 · #1 07/11/2006, 11:56 PM

Im going to lowes/home depot this week for pvc pipe to make a underground maze for a snowflake moray and Im wondering if it would be best to go for larger pipe to accomodate its adult size or if I should start smaller since I will be aquiring a juvenile? Also what size piping(if it is made that large) would fit a sfm?

MSIBWP · #2 07/12/2006, 02:55 AM

I'd definately go ahead and get pipe that would be large enough for an adult. Personally, I'd go with 2" PVC, which is what I have in my Moray tank, for my two.

swegyptian · #3 07/12/2006, 03:10 AM

I think 2" sounds good too. If you go too big, they won't bother with hiding in it though. If he is a really small guy, like pencil sized, it might take him some time to decide that it makes a great home.

sunfishh · #4 07/12/2006, 11:47 AM

I agree, use 2 inch.

Triggerman1964 · #5 07/12/2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by garvin90
Im going to lowes/home depot this week for pvc pipe to make a underground maze for a snowflake moray and Im wondering if it would be best to go for larger pipe to accomodate its adult size or if I should start smaller since I will be aquiring a juvenile? Also what size piping(if it is made that large) would fit a sfm?

Here's my dude in 2" pvc.He fills it out pretty good.

He was pencil size when I got him.This is 3yrs later.
Here's two dudes in 2" pvc.I know, I've posted this alot.

2" is ideal for any eel.

jlehigh · #6 07/12/2006, 01:21 PM

Go with the larger diameter pipe and if you like just dry-fit reducers to the entries/exits to make the lil guy feel more secure.

sunfishh · #7 07/13/2006, 12:19 AM

Great photos triggerman

crzy4reefs · #8 07/13/2006, 08:14 AM

awsome photo's they look happy in there

reef-fossil · #9 07/13/2006, 06:25 PM

Any suggestions on how to get a SF eel to start to hang out in a PVC tunnel? I've added one and he just doesn't seem interested and hangs back under / behind the rocks. Also, my PVC is 1", but he'd have plenty of room.

thanks,
Chris

MSIBWP · #10 07/13/2006, 10:18 PM

My PVC tunnels were in the tank for weeks, before mine started using it. Just give them time...once they realize that it's a "cave", they'll be using it all the time.

garvin90 · #11 07/13/2006, 11:44 PM

So hows the best way to run the piping; big long closed areas or should it be more maze like with Ts and 4 ways? Also, multiple entries/exits?

Should I be concerned since it will be in a lion tank, ie. that they would commandeer the tunnels?

Triggerman1964 · #12 07/14/2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by garvin90
So hows the best way to run the piping; big long closed areas or should it be more maze like with Ts and 4 ways? Also, multiple entries/exits?

Should I be concerned since it will be in a lion tank, ie. that they would commandeer the tunnels?

Run one long section along the back.In the middle put a t.On the ends elbows.
Here's the t in the middle.

Heres one of the elbow ends.

this gives them 3 places to peek out of.

sunfishh · #13 07/14/2006, 11:04 AM

Another great photo

Laakmann · #14 07/14/2006, 11:18 AM

wow, I am amazed, I want to do that so bad for my future SF eel

Does it look ugly or do you guys hide the outlets so they cant be seen?

Triterium · #15 07/14/2006, 11:26 AM

I use 4" PVC in my eel tank. The snowflake is over 2' and is always in the pipe. It shares the pipe with a zebra and two tessalatas.

jlehigh · #16 07/14/2006, 12:04 PM

Laakmann:

I actually did something I havent seen others do yet.. I plumbed mine externally just as you would plumb a closed loop. Large bulkheads get spendy but having a cave that seems to leave the tank looks too cool

Otherwise you need a pretty deep substrate to cover up the cave..

Laakmann · #17 07/14/2006, 12:39 PM

Thats is a cool idea, if I did that I would have to make one of the outlets like 2/3 way up the tank and have the rest be down at the bottom,

Substrate isnt a problem and I can prolly pile some LR on the outlets.

fnicklaus · #18 07/14/2006, 01:13 PM

Go for large pipe! More comfort.Definitely use elbows.Great job and good luck!

redboxer13 · #19 07/17/2006, 02:07 PM

Is any one worried of the PVC becoming a poop trap? I'm not saying this in jest, I just wonder if that would be a concern.

jlehigh · #20 07/17/2006, 02:34 PM

Detritus and other things are bound to accumilate in the cave. Just point a powerhead in it from time to time to blow stuff out or run a siphon hose into it.