FX5 Spraybar?

[DMD123]

On my 210g I am running two FX5's. I have them coming up the back middle of the tank and then outputting to each side at 24". So basically the 48" in the middle of the 6ft tank is circulating. This leaves enough on the ends to do the dirty water intakes. Because I used the 3/4" PVC I was able to use suction cups on the unsupported ends and used the elbows of the PVC as the other holding point. The suctions cups I use were made for Eheim heaters. This cliped around the PVC just right and has two large suction cups to hold it in place. If it can hold a heater it will hold the PVC.

You might want to experiment with your spraybar length and holes. I used a strip of pegboard as my template for drilling. This places the 1/4" holes every one inch. This gives a nice output at the 24" length but still moves the water around. I read of another person taking the holes out larger and making the bar longer to achieve almost no current.

 

[Steveo McNello]

On my 210g I am running two FX5's. I have them coming up the back middle of the tank and then outputting to each side at 24". So basically the 48" in the middle of the 6ft tank is circulating. This leaves enough on the ends to do the dirty water intakes. Because I used the 3/4" PVC I was able to use suction cups on the unsupported ends and used the elbows of the PVC as the other holding point. The suctions cups I use were made for Eheim heaters. This cliped around the PVC just right and has two large suction cups to hold it in place. If it can hold a heater it will hold the PVC.

You might want to experiment with your spraybar length and holes. I used a strip of pegboard as my template for drilling. This places the 1/4" holes every one inch. This gives a nice output at the 24" length but still moves the water around. I read of another person taking the holes out larger and making the bar longer to achieve almost no current.

Thanks for taking the time to type that! My only problem is I have a 3D background, so I'm not sure where I should put the pvc or how I can support it. The pvc running the length of the back of the tank that is.

 

[wcc963]

Thanks for taking the time to type that! My only problem is I have a 3D background, so I'm not sure where I should put the pvc or how I can support it. The pvc running the length of the back of the tank that is.

you might hace to cut a notch in the background if you want the spray bars on each end. i'd use kyrlon paint to paint them black(or whatever color hides them best in your tank) to hide them as much as possible.

im 99% sure these are the suction cups DMD123 is talking about:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753152&lmdn=Fish

its a pretty smart idea, i might use it since i only have a 75g

as for supporting the PVC in the back it might be easier to bend some strips of metal to hang on the back of the tank to support the PVC and then use the elbows and suction cups to support what is in the tank... i gotta run out for a bit, when i get back i'll put together a pretty detailed list of how im gonna do mine

 

[Steveo McNello]

you might hace to cut a notch in the background if you want the spray bars on each end. i'd use kyrlon paint to paint them black(or whatever color hides them best in your tank) to hide them as much as possible.

im 99% sure these are the suction cups DMD123 is talking about:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753152&lmdn=Fish

its a pretty smart idea, i might use it since i only have a 75g

as for supporting the PVC in the back it might be easier to bend some strips of metal to hang on the back of the tank to support the PVC and then use the elbows and suction cups to support what is in the tank... i gotta run out for a bit, when i get back i'll put together a pretty detailed list of how im gonna do mine

Its beginning to discourage me although it sounds like a sweet idea. I might get clear pvc for the spraybars though. I look forward to your message!

 

[wcc963]

Its beginning to discourage me although it sounds like a sweet idea. I might get clear pvc for the spraybars though. I look forward to your message!

clear PVC can be expensive:
3/4" 90* elbow = $5.21
3/4" endcap = $5.45
3/4" tubing = 2.23 per foot

so if you have a spray bar on each side thats 24" that should be about $30.25... if your local hardware store doesnt have it you can tack on shipping to that.

ok so on to the spraybar:
1. cut all the piping to length
2. assemble the spray bar. i'd follow 08trdoffroad's spraybar just rotate the elbows so that the elbows are inline if your going to do a spraybar on each end of the tank.
3. assemble the Tee and PVC piping for the back and mount it



4. connect all PVC using PVC cement and mount on tank
5. Plumb lines and turn filter on

it should be rather easy, unfortunelty i dont have my canister filter yet so i can't build it and take pics. but when i do, i'll do another threat about it

 

[Steveo McNello]

clear PVC can be expensive:
3/4" 90* elbow = $5.21
3/4" endcap = $5.45
3/4" tubing = 2.23 per foot

so if you have a spray bar on each side thats 24" that should be about $30.25... if your local hardware store doesnt have it you can tack on shipping to that.

ok so on to the spraybar:
1. cut all the piping to length
2. assemble the spray bar. i'd follow 08trdoffroad's spraybar just rotate the elbows so that the elbows are inline if your going to do a spraybar on each end of the tank.
3. assemble the Tee and PVC piping for the back and mount it

View attachment 703497

4. connect all PVC using PVC cement and mount on tank
5. Plumb lines and turn filter on

it should be rather easy, unfortunelty i dont have my canister filter yet so i can't build it and take pics. but when i do, i'll do another threat about it

That's a really good explanation. I see it a lot better now. Just not sure what to do for metal hangers or how to enter the tank with the background already in place. I cant go between the glass top and the background... hmm

 

[Steveo McNello]

And I actually just figured out I have another question... My FX5's return valve is on the right side of the middle cabinet. So it's basically 24" from the right and 48" from the left. The T would probably have to be off center. Would it matter if the plumbing going to the spraybar on the left is twice as long? My FX5 intake is directly in the middle too so theres a hump I'd have to go around.

 

[wcc963]

That's a really good explanation. I see it a lot better now. Just not sure what to do for metal hangers or how to enter the tank with the background already in place. I cant go between the glass top and the background... hmm

how about just extend the piping in between the elbows to go over the backbround and come into the tank in front of the background?

And I actually just figured out I have another question... My FX5's return valve is on the right side of the middle cabinet. So it's basically 24" from the right and 48" from the left. The T would probably have to be off center. Would it matter if the plumbing going to the spraybar on the left is twice as long? My FX5 intake is directly in the middle too so theres a hump I'd have to go around.

if you make the returen hose as short as possible. i dont see a problem with it.

as for the tee fitting, im no expert but im sure water trys to take the path of least resistance and you might get one side having more pressure then the other... but that might only be when powered by gravity. when under pressure it might be different. if you can, i'd make the tee centered and just run the hose to it.

 

[Steveo McNello]

how about just extend the piping in between the elbows to go over the backbround and come into the tank in front of the background?



if you make the returen hose as short as possible. i dont see a problem with it.

as for the tee fitting, im no expert but im sure water trys to take the path of least resistance and you might get one side having more pressure then the other... but that might only be when powered by gravity. when under pressure it might be different. if you can, i'd make the tee centered and just run the hose to it.

If i go in front of the background I cant have the glass top. Theres no room. And yeah I was thinking about just centering the T and finding a way to get the tubing to it.

 

[wcc963]

If i go in front of the background I cant have the glass top. Theres no room. And yeah I was thinking about just centering the T and finding a way to get the tubing to it.

hmmm... how about a pic of where the spraybar will be? maybe we can come up with something. a cuple pics of area will be helpful