How to make a spray bar to replace the AGA overflow nozzle

[rbonin]

I just finished reading this thread to to bottom. Quite a ride - I think I am going to make one too.

I noticed that the reefers who are having trouble finding the Siloflex are from the northern/cold states. My experience here in St. Louis is that Lowe's and HD take their inventory of irrigation supplies off the floor during the cold months since there is not any demand for them. In the warmer climates (like N.C.), this stuff probably stays on the floor year round.

Maybe Ace Hardware...?

~Rick~

 

[Fuzzy]

Hi JPEZ,

You might try using a SQWD into the returns - then use 2 sets of spraybars to give more movement into the tank.
I'm going to use the spraybar on the single return across the top of our 90, and them plumb in a SQWD on a closed loop with 2 more on the sides.

Fuzz

 

[electric130]

Heh Electric130 nice job with the spraybar! I want to do the same for a 120. My question is, the 120 has 2 overflows. I am going to use a mag 24 for the return with a "Y" insert split for both sides. Should I re-connect both sides into 1 spraybar inbetween both overflows? or Should I use one side for the top of the tank and the other side towards the bottom? How would you go about it? Thanks...

sorry for the delayed response. i would recommend doing 2 spraybars instead of one. either way, just make sure you have siphon breaks somewhere on the lines.

 

[wasp9166]

so the overflow kits that sell for $45 dollars are a waste of cash? do they come wiht parts you need? cuz im buying a 120 aga and i was told i needed 2 kits.........

 

[electric130]

so the overflow kits that sell for $45 dollars are a waste of cash? do they come wiht parts you need? cuz im buying a 120 aga and i was told i needed 2 kits.........

the only things in there that i used were the bulk heads, and the return pipe (which you can make for about $0.75 by drilling a siphon break in the underside of the elbow) the drain line i made the durso, and out of the return line, i ditched the loc-lines and made the spraybar.

 

[MiddletonMark]

Great thread ... I gotta check into this. I'm in the same boat with the loc-line .... and actually planning to construct a closed loop too in the next few weeks ... my SPS seem to be calling for more flow

And here you are, with it ... thanks!

Now to find sil-o-flex ... or at bare minimum, coat the PVC with purple primer ... great DIY!

 

[steve68]

yes dont buy the kits they are a waste of money bulkheads are around 4 bucks at my LFS u can save money this way

 

[electric130]

Now to find sil-o-flex ... or at bare minimum, coat the PVC with purple primer ... great DIY!

you could always use sch80 PVC. it's dark gray and would blend in better. it's just more expensive than the sil-o-flex, but still cheaper than the AGA plumbing kit.

 

[MiddletonMark]

For sure ... sold my old Oceanic tank ... and need to coach the buyer thru buying bulkheads and the rest ... but cheaper that way than to get the overflow kit ...

 

[wasp9166]

so do you have enuff current in your tank that you dont need wave machines? how do the fish respond to it? also beside the bulkheads, i mean ive done plumbing b4 im sure i could figure it out but.....

CORNER OVERFLOW
ACCESSORY KIT

This simple to install kit contains bulkhead fittings, pre-filter, standpipe, float, return pipe with flexible nozzle, pre-filter media, straight and 90 degree barb fittings, which is enough to outfit one corner overflow.
PART#29250


now your saying i need none of this? i can get it all at lowes? whats pre filter? float? pre filter media?

 

[MiddletonMark]

You can't get the bulkheads at Lowes ...need to order from a marine place [like Premium Aquatics, Marine Depot] ... there are other sources, but these have worked well for me [can get cheaper I'd guess].

As for the rest of it ... assuming you're going with a spray bar ... you can get the rest at a good Home Improvement store.

Of course, it's way easier once you've had a tank with that stuff, as you see what it is and how you could make it work ... `before' I doubt I could have.

But for my 40 breeder that I had drilled ... I siliconed in the overflow box, got the bulkheads online and the rest at Ace or Menards. No problemo.

 

[electric130]

so do you have enuff current in your tank that you dont need wave machines? how do the fish respond to it? also beside the bulkheads, i mean ive done plumbing b4 im sure i could figure it out but.....

CORNER OVERFLOW
ACCESSORY KIT

This simple to install kit contains bulkhead fittings, pre-filter, standpipe, float, return pipe with flexible nozzle, pre-filter media, straight and 90 degree barb fittings, which is enough to outfit one corner overflow.
PART#29250


now your saying i need none of this? i can get it all at lowes? whats pre filter? float? pre filter media?

i have 2 powerheads on a wave timer, but that's more for the corals to give some alternating flow. the fish don't really care. i have a lot better current with the spraybar than i did with the AGA Kit. bulkheads can be gotten from an internet aquarium supplier like mentioned above, or from www.savko.com or www.usplastic.com the the prefilter, media, standpipe, and float are replaced by building a Durso Standpipe . the barb fittings you won't use if you are using PVC. the return pipe is just a piece of 3/4" PVC with a slip X threaded elbow on it and a small hole drilled in the underside for a siphon break. all can be gotten from lowes. the flexible nozzel is the loc-line stuff that is being replaced by the spraybar. so to answer your question, no you don't need the kit. you'll save yourself a lot of money by doing the Durso and the spraybar.

 

[heavensent58]

OK finally gonna do this. Gonna go "over the top" as my tank is not drilled. 1 question - is it ok to put a T in the middle of 2 sections 2 foot long for my 55 or should i run it in from 1 end ?

Todd

 

[Shablin]

I've am transferring my 220 acrylic to a new 215 Oceanic this weekend and was planning to incorporate a spraybar into one of the overflows. What luck finding this thread!

At the Home Depot here in Allentown, PA, they call the polyethylene tubing "Blueflex" (it is black). They didn't have 5 ft sections but 100 ft rolls of 3/4" for $10.

I've been planning on two Mag 12's one to a regular return and one to a spraybar. I am goiing to shoot holes in the spraybar angled down to the front and another set almost straight down. Initially I was planning to hide the bar about 2/3 the way down the tank behind the rocks; now I'm leaning towards rudding it straight across the top (less bends, easier maintenence) as it doesn't seem to be all that noticeable.

Anybody have any preference for spraybar location (top, mid, bottom)?

Thanks for the great thread!!

 

[electric130]

I've am transferring my 220 acrylic to a new 215 Oceanic this weekend and was planning to incorporate a spraybar into one of the overflows. What luck finding this thread!

At the Home Depot here in Allentown, PA, they call the polyethylene tubing "Blueflex" (it is black). They didn't have 5 ft sections but 100 ft rolls of 3/4" for $10.

I've been planning on two Mag 12's one to a regular return and one to a spraybar. I am goiing to shoot holes in the spraybar angled down to the front and another set almost straight down. Initially I was planning to hide the bar about 2/3 the way down the tank behind the rocks; now I'm leaning towards rudding it straight across the top (less bends, easier maintenence) as it doesn't seem to be all that noticeable.

Anybody have any preference for spraybar location (top, mid, bottom)?

Thanks for the great thread!!

as long as you can get fittings for that hose, it should work great. hmmm, $10 for 100ft or $2 for 5 ft. and I though mine was cheap before. you could go into making those for a living at $1 each and sell them for $5. 400% profit is pretty good!:lol: okay, anywho....as far as location goes, i'd recommend the top. i have had to clean/ream out the holes in my bar a couple times. they start getting coraline and other things that block their output. if the bar would be maintainable in the other locations, it would be fine too. the only problem i see with having holes pointing straight down is coral placement. in my tank, i have corals that have grown pretty much all the way across the back, top of the tank and are growing up the back glass. i couldn't have any water shooting straight down into these. i keep only softies, LPS and a few clams though. my buddy do one of these on his 90 a month or so ago and he put some holes straight down and it works with his setup. his tank is not as full as mine though. if you can make it work with your coral placement, then it will be good to add some different flow to the tank.

 

[Shablin]

Hey if I don't like it, I've got 30+ shots at it!

I also got 8x 50lb bags of OldCastle sand (=Southdown) @ $5/bag.

 

[electric130]

Hey if I don't like it, I've got 30+ shots at it!

yup! at least you have the right attitude about it. how boring would this hobby be if we did everything right the first time and never had to change anything? i'd have to sell my tank every 6 months so i could setup a new one!:lol:

 

[48Bowfront]

Thanks electric130!

I'm gonna use your spray bar in my new setup too.

cya ... Jose

 

[Brewboy74]

Nice step up electric. I planning on purchasing an AGA 75 gal and I think I will use your mod as will it looks very slick. I have another question for you do you have the AGA stand and canopy? If so do your lights fit well in the hood? I was planning on doing a hamilton retro with 250 W MH and 2 96 W VHO Actinics.

Thanks

 

[rbonin]

Shablin... how are you going to straighten out that coiled poly? My experience with that stuff is once it is coiled up, it wants to stay that way.

~Rick~