Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: Manjr on April 30, 2016, 01:02:06 PM

Title: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Manjr on April 30, 2016, 01:02:06 PM
Hi, I've just fitted a spray bar to my tank and I fitted it along the back but wondered if that's ok. Should it be fitted on the long axis or the short.
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Fiona on April 30, 2016, 01:38:01 PM
I've got 2 tanks with spray bars, one is parallel with the back of the tank and the other sits parallel with the side but I've had it sitting diagonally too. I think it's up to you  :)
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Paddyc on April 30, 2016, 01:59:57 PM
My spray bar is on the back wall, horizontally mounted about 6 inches under the surface of the water. It's angled slightly upwards towards the surface so that it agitates the surface to aid with transfer of gases when the bubbles are off overnight.

Just telling you what I do, hope it's of some help  :cheers:
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Fiona on April 30, 2016, 07:06:36 PM
It's angled slightly upwards towards the surface

Oooo I never thought of that option! Underwater facing upwards would solve the problem of the spray bar forcing plants  down! Ta  Paddy. :cheers:
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Paddyc on May 03, 2016, 11:23:51 AM
It's angled slightly upwards towards the surface

Oooo I never thought of that option! Underwater facing upwards would solve the problem of the spray bar forcing plants  down! Ta  Paddy. :cheers:

Did you adjust your spray bar, Fiona? I'm curious to hear if it's made a good difference to your plants  :)

Manjr, are you happy with the replies so far?

One of the big advantages of a spray bar is it moves a wide column of water at once, as opposed to one fat torrent from one corner of the tank. The more surface area of water it moves, the better.

With my own spray bar set as I mentioned, the water is pushed upwards from the back wall up to the front half of the surface, then it flows down the front panel and down to the substrate. The collecter of the filter inlet is a caged downpipe in the bottom back left hand corner of the tank. I'm satisfied that it circulates the water fairly evenly and there is no stagnation.

I used to have a concern right at the start that the filter flow was too strong and my wee fishes might struggle to find resting spots but I needn't have worried. They can always find calm spots in the water to chill out in.

Let us know how you get on and if you can, get some pics up??  :cheers:
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Manjr on May 03, 2016, 11:40:00 AM
Yes I'm happy with the replies to my queries, I must be learning something on here because quite often the replies are what I'm hoping for. I mean that without this forum I would probably have done the same thing anyway. :D
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Paddyc on May 04, 2016, 01:54:37 PM
Sometimes it's just nice to get some reinforcement for your plans. And just every now and again you will inevitably pick up something you didn't know. A good reason why we are keen to see new members registering and getting them involved once they have done so!

 8)
Title: Re: Spray bar, long or short
Post by: Fiona on May 05, 2016, 10:04:50 AM

Did you adjust your spray bar, Fiona? I'm curious to hear if it's made a good difference to your plants  :)

Yes I did and yes it does :)  I adjusted the spray bar in my son's tank and all the plants can now hold their heads high.

You do love your pics Paddy. Unfortunately I can't download photos from my phone so every now and then I borrow my son's, so me posting piccies isn't always easy. :(