Spray Bars??

deucey

deucey

Member
Hi, I have a 36g bowfront tank and I was thinking of putting in a spray bar. Is there any particular brand that is good or is there any way to DIY? I would think i would need to upgrade my pump but I am not sure...I have an 802 Powerhead for the main pump right now....do you agree that I would need to upgrade? Do you all think that spray bars are better then just regular return lines?
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/reefguy79/reefguysmicroreef" target="_blank">My site...with tank pics...</a>
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
Spray bars are probably the best way to get the water back into your tank.They are easy tomake,Just need some 1/2 inch pvc,Three 90deg elbows,an end cap,and a drill.Cut the pvc to fit the length of your tank and cap off one end.Then put one elbow on the other end.You will need two short pieces(1") of pvc to link the other elbows together so they go up and around the lip of the tank,then one more short piece of pvc for the return hose to attach to.Then just drill a series of holes(1/4") in the spray barr to let the water out. I have my holes drilled in two diferent rows.One points across the surface of the water for airation,while the second is angled down at the front glass for circulation...ALSO,That powerhead will never hold up as a return pump...You really should upgrade that first...
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
Yes I agree with Ed.
A single spray bar at the top is great for surface water agitation, but provides little "deep" water circulation. Powerheads many times are the best route to go in this case.
I hate powerheads - they clutter up my tank, need cleaning and maintenance, and just look down right out of place in a reef tank.
I'm experimenting with some other spraybar arrangements that I hope will overcome my "powerheadaphobia".
Here's what I'm using now - although I plan to modify the design soon - and it works very well.
I can direct 3 of the adjustable nozzles behind live rock stack or any other direction I choose.
My goal is to eventually be "sans" powerheads in my reef tanks. But you need an oversized pump to accomplish this - and a large capacity overflow as well.
If your interested here's a pic.
<a href="http://communities.msn.com/broomerspics/75refugiumsump.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=33" target="_blank">http://communities.msn.com/broomerspics/75refugiumsump.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=33 </a>
Later ;)
 
reeferx

reeferx

Member
I used to have a 40 breeder with a couple eheim canisters on it for a while before I went to a wet/dry. I used to experiment with the spraybars a lot.
One of the more effective ways I found for eliminating deadspots was to have the spraybars on opposing ends (kiddie corner) of each other, mounted vertically (length of bar running top to bottom of the tank) and aiming length wise aross the front and back sides of the tank.
All my rock was in the middle (none pushed against the back wall) so there was major, major flow.
It was pretty cool.
 
scott270

scott270

Active Member
i have a 75 fowlr with a maxi jet 1200 in the left back corner facing to the middle of my tank what would you suggest i do with it?
 
reeferx

reeferx

Member
what would you suggest i do with it?<hr></blockquote>
[insert joke here]
:p
Sorry scott, I couldn't resist.
 
predator

predator

Active Member
I was looking into making one in the shape of a square. I have a 3ft by 3ft by 18in tank with the overflow built in the center. I have alot of LR and want to have a spray bar that wraps around the overflow box and creates more current on the bottom, back hand side of my rock. Just not sure how to do it quit yet???
 
scott270

scott270

Active Member
if i just attached a pvc pipe to my maxi jet 1200 and put the pvc all across the back of my 75 gallon tank and put holes in it, and cap the end would this work
 
reeferx

reeferx

Member
I don't see why not, I think it would work Scott. But it may not be enough to provide all the circulation for a 75 gallon tank.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
LFS here in town - guy has a piece of pvc pipe with holes drilled in it with 2 small Cap submersible powerheads on each end.
He placed this on the bottom of the tank, running along the back of his rockwork, shooting water out into the stack of rock.
Looked okay to me, but I would have buried or hid it a little more.
The possibilities are pretty much endless with this pvc/pump/powerhead stuff - and it doesn't cost a lot of dough - just gotta have the time to mess around with it, and not get too disappointed if it doesn't quite turn out as you planned. If so .... just scrap it and run to Home Depot for more parts :D
No big deal though - it's a hobby not a career ;)
 
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