Anyone using a spray bar return?

theatrus · 08/09/2006, 08:56 PM

I'm in the process of redesigning my 55g return system (adding a fuge and recirc skimmer and replacing the pump, so I figured I'd go replace the return "pipe" too). Currently I use a 3/4" ID black vinyl tubing going up to a tee which is zip tied to my center brace. It works, but its honestly somewhat ugly.

I was considering a spray bar for the return, either vertical or horizontal (probably horizontal) made out of a piece of grey (schedule 80) PVC piping with the appropiate size holes drilled in it. Does anyone use something similar? Is yours horizontal? Other thoughts on this?

The other method is the traditional dual return at opposite ends of the tank.

Thoughts?

hawkfish21 · 08/09/2006, 09:27 PM

I use a horizontal spray bar and have no complaints.

AquaReeferMan · 08/09/2006, 09:29 PM

My buddy and I run spray bars as returns. Both horizantol. Also our system at work has the same setup. Works very nice and great for breaking the surface.

theatrus · 08/09/2006, 09:33 PM

How did you mount your spray bar?

mg426 · 08/09/2006, 10:37 PM

I used 90 degree fittings with a cap on the end.

theatrus · 08/09/2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mg426
I used 90 degree fittings with a cap on the end.

So just anchored the vertical riser to the tank and let the return "float"? Not getting any weird movement on it? How long is your bar? I was thinking of going a good 36" long.

mg426 · 08/10/2006, 12:52 AM

Kind of an up over the top rail kind of thing.

impulse · 08/10/2006, 02:03 AM

I have a 6' tank with a T fixed at the centre back. Horizontal spray bars (1" PVC pipe) have 1/8" holes every inch and a removable cap at each end. They cover the whole width of the tank, and have the holes facing upward, just above the water line. This way there is no danger of back syphoning in the event of pump/power failure. I find that this gives a very even distribution of water from my sump. To camoflage the pipe, I use black "Plastidip", a rubber solution which is quite safe to use once the solvents have dissipated. This system has worked perfectly over the 18 mos or so that this tank has been established. Hope this is helpful.

vest0830 · 08/10/2006, 03:13 AM

I had a spray bar in my last tank set right to the surface of the water. worked great. how did I secure it....we had suction cups with a "C" clip on it.

The coral farm's here uses them on all of their tanks.

theatrus · 08/10/2006, 09:24 AM

I hate suction cups

I'm going to give this a shot over the next week I think. Interesting note on the plasti-dip. I was simply going to use schedule 80 grey PVC pipe even though it has a much smaller ID vs OD.

I was also going to do some downward or angle down pointing outlets to even out the flow. Any thoughts?

KEstep · 08/10/2006, 09:30 PM

I used a 1 inch (about 30" long) pipe and ran it behind my rock structure to move a lot more water back there. I stuffed a rock under the pipe to support it on the end with the cap. I drilled larger holes in the end of the tube and smaller at the beginning to try and even the water flow going through it. I also drilled mine in a v shape - one hole up high, next down low, then up high, so on and so on. I tested it in a bucket with 5 gallons of water and timed how long it took to drain the bucket without the spray bar. Then tested it with the bar in order to find how many holes I needed so that I did not restrict the pump.

theatrus · 08/10/2006, 10:33 PM

Hum didn't even consider a bottom spray bar. Going to have to fiddle with that. And remember to drill an anti siphon hole in

08/09/2006, 08:56 PM	#1
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Anyone using a spray bar return? I'm in the process of redesigning my 55g return system (adding a fuge and recirc skimmer and replacing the pump, so I figured I'd go replace the return "pipe" too). Currently I use a 3/4" ID black vinyl tubing going up to a tee which is zip tied to my center brace. It works, but its honestly somewhat ugly. I was considering a spray bar for the return, either vertical or horizontal (probably horizontal) made out of a piece of grey (schedule 80) PVC piping with the appropiate size holes drilled in it. Does anyone use something similar? Is yours horizontal? Other thoughts on this? The other method is the traditional dual return at opposite ends of the tank. Thoughts?

08/09/2006, 09:29 PM	#3
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	My buddy and I run spray bars as returns. Both horizantol. Also our system at work has the same setup. Works very nice and great for breaking the surface. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

08/09/2006, 09:33 PM	#4
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	How did you mount your spray bar? __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/09/2006, 10:37 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I used 90 degree fittings with a cap on the end. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

08/10/2006, 12:52 AM	#7
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Kind of an up over the top rail kind of thing. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

08/09/2006, 09:27 PM	#2
hawkfish21 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,968	I use a horizontal spray bar and have no complaints.

08/10/2006, 02:03 AM	#8
impulse Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Adalaide, South Australia Posts: 64	I have a 6' tank with a T fixed at the centre back. Horizontal spray bars (1" PVC pipe) have 1/8" holes every inch and a removable cap at each end. They cover the whole width of the tank, and have the holes facing upward, just above the water line. This way there is no danger of back syphoning in the event of pump/power failure. I find that this gives a very even distribution of water from my sump. To camoflage the pipe, I use black "Plastidip", a rubber solution which is quite safe to use once the solvents have dissipated. This system has worked perfectly over the 18 mos or so that this tank has been established. Hope this is helpful.

08/10/2006, 03:13 AM	#9
vest0830 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 1,299	I had a spray bar in my last tank set right to the surface of the water. worked great. how did I secure it....we had suction cups with a "C" clip on it. The coral farm's here uses them on all of their tanks. __________________ 55g::Tunze::Lifereef::Ice Cap::Euroreef Current Tank Info: 100% all Okinawan life

08/10/2006, 09:24 AM	#10
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	I hate suction cups I'm going to give this a shot over the next week I think. Interesting note on the plasti-dip. I was simply going to use schedule 80 grey PVC pipe even though it has a much smaller ID vs OD. I was also going to do some downward or angle down pointing outlets to even out the flow. Any thoughts?

08/10/2006, 09:30 PM	#11
KEstep Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 550	I used a 1 inch (about 30" long) pipe and ran it behind my rock structure to move a lot more water back there. I stuffed a rock under the pipe to support it on the end with the cap. I drilled larger holes in the end of the tube and smaller at the beginning to try and even the water flow going through it. I also drilled mine in a v shape - one hole up high, next down low, then up high, so on and so on. I tested it in a bucket with 5 gallons of water and timed how long it took to drain the bucket without the spray bar. Then tested it with the bar in order to find how many holes I needed so that I did not restrict the pump. __________________ A bartender is just a pharmacist with limited inventory. If you drink don't park, accidents cause people. If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Have a great day. Kris Current Tank Info: 150g. DAS Oak Aquarium, 3 250w. Reeflux 10k on Coralvue Dimmable E-ballasts, 150lbs. Live Rock, DAS EX-2 Skimmer, Remote Deep Sand Bucket, Reefkeeper 2, 10 gallon fuge, 2 Vortechs, Coralvue Dual Chamber Calcium Reactor, Coralvue Kalkwasser Reactor.

08/10/2006, 10:33 PM	#12
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Hum didn't even consider a bottom spray bar. Going to have to fiddle with that. And remember to drill an anti siphon hole in __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics