who uses spraybars to reduce flow

[edshern]

I use a fluval 304 as the only pump in my 37g cube. I felt like I was getting to much flow, so I drilled some holes into the side of the output nozzle. (I know I can dial back the fluval, but I also want the circulation)
This helped some, but i may want a little less direct flow. Maybe I should just make a spraybar.
What does everyone else do for flow? Spread it out with a spraybar or direct it with an output nozzle?

 

[pledosophy]

*Don't try this at home kids*

IME the output from a fluval 304 is fine with the horses. Hve used it on an 18g, 29g, 44g, 65g, and 75g horse tanks. (I love the 304)

I like spraybars and dividing the returns into multiple nozzles. I like lots of flow in my tanks. I am currently plumbing (currently meaning I have PVC glue on my hands as we speak, just takin a break) a seahorse tank that will turn over 27x or so an hour. How can this be? Sump return pump divided into two returns and then two flare nozzles each with locline. Closed loop which will connect to two rock support/spraybars, and too two bulkheads each with locline split into three. The closed loop will all be covered by rock to (hopefully) eliminate all dead spots between the rock.

I am hoping (fingers and toes crossed) that the division of the flow will be enough so that there is flow everywhere in the tank, but all of it will be subtle and broken up. All returns will be controlled with a ball valve so things can be dialed down if need be.

I kept my last seahorse tank at 20x an hour, wasn't enough, hopefully this will work. My SPS tank is at 50x an hour it is so nice not to have to deal with algae, I mean at all, ever.



HTH

 

[pledosophy]

By the way, I am the exception to the 3x to 5x an hour rule of thumb.

Using conventional methods like powerheads, etc, have not worked for me. If you look up my spraybars you'll see there intense. have been called PVC sculptures of art.

 

[edshern]

HTH,
your answer raised a few questions for me:
-how do you measure your flow?
-how do see if there is "flow everywhere in the tank"?
-when you have water going every which way in a tank, doesn't that cause turbulence, rather than smooth streams of flow? does you think it matter?
-you suggest that "If you look up my spraybars you'll see there intense". Where can I see them.
Thanks Pled,
You have always been helpful.
I will have to take some pics of my new sh tank and post.
Ed

 

[Samala]

Definitely consider Pled's ideas. I love spraybars for SH tanks. I think its the only way to go for most of them. I have yet to have a SH tank without spraybars, and some of them were very simple.

The current spraybar one tank is rigid airline hose with holes punched into the length (hot drill bit worked just fine, no drill needed) and fixed to the powerhead (which is the main source of flow in the tank). Works just fine.

>Sarah

 

[edshern]

do your spraybars run vertically or horizontal.
If horizontal, top of tank, or bottom?

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8970301#post8970301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edshern
do your spraybars run vertically or horizontal.
If horizontal, top of tank, or bottom?

All of the above. Oh and on the floor of the tank as well. Did I mention they go through the rocks.

Pics of my spraybars are on the other sites.

If your running vertical make sure your have a hole for the syphon break above water level. Creates a mess otherwise, especially if the spraybar continues on the floor of the tank. Man empty tanks suck.

I'm still working on my current tank, will have pics up there soon. Hopefully running water by Thursday.

Embarrassing since I am a professional photographer, but I've can't post pics here.