spray bar on return

[hangles]

has anyone put a spray bar on their return line to keep water flow behind the LR wall?

 

[Timothy01]

im gonna test it out as soon as i get paid(ran out extra cash half way through) i have 2 returns i build one with one with out and put a ball valve right before it enters the tank so i can adjust the flow

 

[MIKE NY]

I'm using two 1" spray bars for my return, but they are across the surface and not lower down behind the rocks only because I don't trust check valves in case of a power outage.

 

[Timothy01]

to avoid the dread power outage drill a hole in the return about 1 1/2 to 2 inchs under water so if the power does cut it wont overflow your sumo/fuge

 

[hangles]

how did you figure out how big to make the bars and how large the holes should be so that you dont get back pressure on your pump?

 

[comatose]

You double posted, i answered your other thread.

what size is the return tube going into the tank?

 

[kgolem]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7022204#post7022204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hangles
how did you figure out how big to make the bars and how large the holes should be so that you dont get back pressure on your pump?

Use area of a circle formula A = Pi * r^2 to calculate the area of the spray bar holes. and then calculate the area of the pump outlet, or the smallest diameter pipe in the outlet plumbing.

Make sure the sum of the hole areas on the spraybar is greater than the pump outlet calculation.

 

[hangles]

the pump is a quiet one 3000 rated at 780gph the line out can be 1'' or 3/4'' depending on the adapter from pump to top of tank is 4' 4''.
yes i double posted after i thought about it this was the place to talk about this
thanks for your reply comatose

 

[comatose]

if your using the 1" return you can have :
8 holes at 3/8"
or 4 holes at 1/2".
this would keep the same pressure as whats coming out of the pump but not create any back pressure.

 

[hangles]

thanks for the calculations comatose
can i space the holes out any distance? say 18'' or so
thanks again! harold

 

[comatose]

Sure, space them any way you want, but don't forget about the siphon break 1/2" - 3/4" below the water surface otherwise your whole tank will empty out.

 

[hangles]

i wont forget to put the siphon break in thanks!
BTW how big of a hole for break 1/8'' ok?
also if i am wrong about the 1'' what would the holes be on the 3/4''!
thanks for holding my hand through this. i'm a newby!
i have skills to build these things just not all the knowhow!
I went to your site. wow you built it all! looks good to!
thanks again for all your help! harold

 

[comatose]

i would go a little bigger on the hole for the siphon break, closer to 3/16" then shut off your power to make sure it all works, if it doesn't then make the hole a 16th bigger, and keep doing that till it works fine.

if you use 3/4 return then use these holes:

9 holes at 1/4"
4 holes at 3/8"
3 holes at 1/2" (it's really 2.25 holes) 2 would cause backpressure so i went one higher.

thank, i put all my DIY stuff on the site for all the fellow reefers to enjoy and maybe get new ideas.

keep us posted how eveything works out on the spraybar.

 

[hangles]

thanks for all your help comatose
cant wait to try this stuff
see ya ! harold

 

[imsqueak]

I have a 7' spray bar in my tank and wish I didn't. There was never any real flow volume to suit my purposes (blow detritus to the front of BB tank) but I didn't do the technical math to make it match the pump. I drilled 3/8 or 1/4" every 6 or 8". The holes partially clogged in time. I had to breakdown the rock work to clean it out and redrill. They clogged in time again. I took a roto zip and cut +4" slots horizontally. Next time I'll use penductors at the bottom corners and hopefully place the rock to suit this application.

Why do you want flow behind your rock work? So it doesnt flow on the display side? Because you already have plenty from a closed loop or something? Seahorses? I'm at a loss unless you're BB and if you are it may not be the way to go considering ripping down your rock to clean it every 9-12 mos.