Trimming Tank Plastic Trim

jonclark96

jonclark96

Past CCA President
A few months ago, I picked up a few of the Aquaclear AC70's that were on sale from Big Al's. I finally got around to swapping out one of the old penguin filters on my 75 with the AC70 and find out that the plastic trim on my tank is too wide to allow the AC70 to slide all the way down below the water line in the tank. The trim on the tank has a lip on the inside the sticks out about 3/8" too far to allow the filter to sit all the way down like it should. The filter works fine but makes a lot of noise with the water splashing into the tank. Not really a big deal, but the tank is in the family room and I know it is just a matter of time before the kids and wife start to ask why the fish tank always sounds like someone is using the bathroom.

If the tank was empty, I wouldn't have much trouble with using a hack saw blade to cut back the trim to allow the filter to sit flush. I'm not sure I want to do this on a full tank as I think the shavings from the cutting would definitely get into the water.

Any suggestions for a clean, safe way to cut back the trim or modify the filter to eliminate the trickling sound?
 
A

Airborne001

Members
I agree about the dremal, but I would cover the area to be cut with blue painters tape to try to contain the shavings, also having a family member holding a vacuum hose right next to the cut should catch any stray shavings
 
S

secuono

Members
How high is the water level?
I fill all my tanks up to that frame 'lip'. Right when I see the water round up against that ledge, I stop filling. So, 1cm from the edge and spilling on the floor. You can also use a section of plastic and cut it just a bit too wide to fit into the outtake ledge and point t downwards. I did the same on my Aquaclear 110 for my 55G with Betta. It makes the water go straight down and slows it a bit. You can also cut it so the water flows against the plastic barrier down to the water, like a tube, so it does not splash or make much noise.
 
Andrew

Andrew

Members
The shavings aren't going to hurt anything and will float so they're easy to remove. Dremmel works great or you can use a router if you're comfortable with power tools.
 
jonclark96

jonclark96

Past CCA President
Thanks for the tips. I think I will try to rig up something to move the water from the filter to the water line before I cut the trim. Not sure where to get a flexible piece of plastic to extend the "chute". Maybe one of the craft stores will have something.
 
T

toddnbecka

Members
Plastic canvas works very nicely for that purpose. It also diffuses the current; I was having trouble with frogbit because the flow from the 110 kept piling it up under the surface.
 
gravel_digger

gravel_digger

Members
i have used what i call snips to cut this piece in the past. they look like pliers with the exception of the ends are more like slightly curved scissor blades and it works perfect. two clips and then i am able to bend and snap out the piece that needs to be removed. good luck...
 
jonclark96

jonclark96

Past CCA President
Snips and a pair of pliers worked like a charm. No chunks in the tank and silence in less than 5 minute.

Thanks again for the help!!

Jon
 
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