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MoonInTn
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Post subject: Modification on spraybar.  Posted: Dec 25, 2006 - 11:29 AM |
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FishGeek Member
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Tri Cities, Tn.
Status: Offline
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| Just wondering if this would work. Figured I'd throw it out there and see what comes back. I have two Rena Filstar XP3 filters on my 75 gallon reef tank. If you're familiar with the return spraybars on these, of course they have a spraybar for each one. Would it work if I made my own spraybar by using a piece of pvc pipe, covering as much of the back of the tank as possible, drilling holes the entire lenght of it, and plugging the return hoses from each filter into each end of the spraybar? Is this possible? Would it even out the circulation or would it cut down on the circulation? |
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Diana
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| Post subject: RE: Modification on spraybar. Posted: Dec 25, 2006 - 11:50 AM |
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Moderator Extraordinaire
Joined: Apr 10, 2004
Posts: 28183
Location: Near San Francisco
Status: Offline
  
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DIY spraybars do indeed work. You might have to try different sizes of holes to get the spray pattern you want. Small holes will create a stronger stream flowing across the top of the tank, but the restriction on the pump can wear out the pump, so do not go too small.
Larger holes create a gentler flow, and are easier on the pump. If the holes are too large the holes nearest the pump will spill all the water and you will not have enough waterflow near the center to keep it all even. For a very gentle, very even flow consider a thin slice the full length of the pipe.
You can practice and use PVC that has not been glued together to test the spraybar part. Start with small holes, remove the bar, drill them a bit bigger... The minor leak that will happen with unglued parts is negligible in this case, and it all ends up in the tank. (Gotta glue the parts outside the tank, of course!)
I would not connect the two pumps together into one spraybar. It is highly likely that one filter will pick up just a little more debris than the other, and the unequal flow from the spraybars is your clue to which filter needs cleaning.
Here is a drawing of a "Spraybar" with a long thin cut. The edges would have to be carefully sanded to give the smoothest effect. For more info, look into pool, spa and fountain supplies under the term 'Sheer descent' |
_________________
Happy fishkeeping!
Diana
24 tanks:
1 brackish
1 Lake Tanganyika
2 paludariums
1 tank not set up
Fishless/Ammonia cycle
http://www.aquaria.info/modules.php?op= ... =0&thold=0
pH thread
http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name= ... lutions%2A
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MoonInTn
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| Post subject: Posted: Dec 25, 2006 - 05:50 PM |
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FishGeek Member
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Tri Cities, Tn.
Status: Offline
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| Thanks Diana. I thought it might work,...just wanted to see if someone could confirm it. I never thought about cutting a thin slice across the whole bar, but would be a good idea. It's still in the thinking stages right now, but I think I'm going to come up with something that's going to work with my tank and all the equipment in it. I'm having trouble with current on my corals, (posted that in the other forum), and I'm just trying to figure out a way that all the tank residents are going to be healthy and happy. Thanks again! |
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Diana
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| Post subject: Posted: Dec 26, 2006 - 12:15 AM |
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Moderator Extraordinaire
Joined: Apr 10, 2004
Posts: 28183
Location: Near San Francisco
Status: Offline
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MoonInTn
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| Post subject: Posted: Dec 26, 2006 - 07:42 AM |
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FishGeek Member
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Tri Cities, Tn.
Status: Offline
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| In my opinion they're getting too much flow. Of course I could be wrong. I've gotten different opinions on how much flow should be on them. Most are doing alright but I'm most worried about my colt and alveopora. The colt is almost layed down at times from the current, and the alveopora looks like it's either being blasted against the rock behind it, or wooshed to one side/direction. I've spent almost two weeks trying to get the current (what I think is right). From adjusting powerheads to moving corals, and of course never pointing the current or powerhead directly toward them. What kind of current should these two corals in particular be getting? Not sure if I've posted before, but along with the two xp filters, at the moment I have one maxijet 400 blowing across the lower part of the tank in the back keeping things stirred up. A maxijet 1200 and a maxijet 900 on the upper corners in front, kind of angled toward the center of the tank, toward the opposite back corners to which they are mounted to. Hmmmm.....after reading that, I hope that makes sense! lol Hope this helped. |
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Diana
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| Post subject: Posted: Dec 26, 2006 - 10:39 AM |
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Moderator Extraordinaire
Joined: Apr 10, 2004
Posts: 28183
Location: Near San Francisco
Status: Offline
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You might ask about the specific needs of the corals in the Marine section.
Do these corals come from an area with distinct wave action? Do they need to be pushed back and forth?
Are they from a more protected area? Less distinct water movement?
It sounds like you have a lot of water movement in there. |
_________________
Happy fishkeeping!
Diana
24 tanks:
1 brackish
1 Lake Tanganyika
2 paludariums
1 tank not set up
Fishless/Ammonia cycle
http://www.aquaria.info/modules.php?op= ... =0&thold=0
pH thread
http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name= ... lutions%2A
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