DIY 48 inch Spary Bar

[inkslinger]

I have a DIY 1inch pvc with a 3/4inch x 48inch nipple drilled 5/16inch holes
every 1 inch = 46 holes for a spray bar.
Will this spray bar be OK to use with a FX5 filter?

 

[Oughtsix]

I have a DIY 1inch pvc with a 3/4inch x 48inch nipple drilled 5/16inch holes
every 1 inch = 46 holes for a spray bar.
Will this spray bar be OK to use with a FX5 filter?

The 1" hose from the FX5 has a cross section area of .79 square inches (.5^2 x 3.1415).

The cross section area of your 3/4" pipe is .44 square inches. This sounds like a big restriction to me.

The area of each of your spray holes is .077 square inches. (5 / 32) ^ x 3.1415

So you would need approximately 6 x 5/16" holes to equal the area of the cross section of the pipe.

It sounds to me like you have more of a dribble bar than a spray bar. i.e. I would not expect the streams of water coming from the holes to have much force behind them. At the same time your are reducing the GPM's of the FX5 by introducing the choke point where the 1" hose is reduced to the 3/4" pipe.

It will work just fine but I don't think it will have the effect you are looking for.

 

[jcardona1]

It sounds to me like you have more of a dribble bar than a spray bar

I agree.

 

[inkslinger]

I'm not looking for a jet stream, just an even flow. The 3/4inch
restriction is at the end of the spray bar , 3/4 x 48 nipple too a
1in reduce to 3/4in elbow, over the rim is a 1in elbow to a 1in pvc
and a 1in hose barb where the 1in hose will be connected too.
The choke is when the force hit's the 3/4in spray bar only , It's 1in over
the rim an down below the tank where the 1in hose will be connected.
I was also thinking of using Eheim 1in hose also where it's smoother
than what comes with the FX5.
Beside I have a planted tank , I wouldn't want my plants in a whirlpool.

 

[Oughtsix]

Give it a try and let us know how it works out! I wasn't trying to give you a hard time I was just pointing out that the area of the exit holes for the spray bar are much bigger than the entrance hole and trying to alert you to a possible problem. If it gives you your desired effect... great! Let us know how it works. If you have to rework the spraybar a bit let us know so we can all learn!

I have a Fluval 404, I guess the FX5 uses the same type of corrugated tubing? I like the kink resistance but I do agree that it seems like it adds a lot of flow resistance. I have switched most of my hose to the reenforced clear tubing that the home centers sell. It is a little pricey compared to regular clear vinyl tubing but it is very kink resistant. The pressure rating is WAY overboard for most filtering applications. I am thinking of giving the reenforced pond tubing a try as it is black and I get kind of tired at looking at the algae build up in the tubing (No light... hopefully = no algae).

I would love to find some affordable quality hose disconnects that aren't huge and bulky like unions. For 5/8 tubing regular garden hose fittings work well but any bigger hose and they introduce a lot of restriction.

Cheers!

 

[inkslinger]

Just waiting for my black paint to dry for a week before I install it
to my system will post pic then .

 

[inkslinger]

I use a whole can of spray paint so waiting for it dry real good before putting it in the tank {at lest a week}, 3/4in x 46in spray-bar {5/16 drill bit was used}
My Nu-Clear 533 an 547 filter with a Blue Line 55 HD 1100gph pump
The return line is 1 inch up an over my tank and reduce to a 3/4 inch nipple
for the spray bar the holes were drill every 1 inch and a Black PVC end-cap
and Black PVC elbow was added.