spray bar idea for 3 filters on a 240 gallon

[zebvance]

I want to hard line a spray bar for my 3 filters in my 240 gallon. I really dont like all the in takes and out takes hanging in my tank. So I want to simplify as much as possible. This is my idea to connect all 3 filters (2 xp3's and 1 eheim 2260) together and have the spray bar run right under the eurobrace at the top of the back of the tank. The tank is 8x2x2 and the area where the spray bar will run will prob be 3 to 4 foot. SO this is the idea and im going to attach pics of the top of the tank and the filter set up now and a drawing of what I want to do. The drawing is kinda bad it took me about 10 mins on paint . If you dont understand something please ask. Now the questions are how big of pipe do I need? and I have never messed with plumbing before. Oh and the gph for each xp3 is 350 gph and the 2260 is 640 gph.

So If yall can look over it and tell me what yall think or suggestions, or anything please do so.

 

[zebvance]

here are the spray bar plans

 

[ar0wan]

I'd strongly consider 1" but 3/4" would probably due.
The pressure will be controlled by the size and quantity of holes drilled ideally
so you wouldn't want too small of a pipe.

I have reservations on what this would do to filter performance
but the idea makes it very asthetically pleasing.

Hook 'em.

 

[PostalPenguin]

The uneven flow rates would create back-pressure on the other canisters and I think you'd end up with an overall reduced filter performance.

 

[zebvance]

thanks guys so what way could I do this so i wouldnt reduce performance

 

[Rass]

I'm no expert, but I would think that if the plumbing were large enough, backpressure wouldn't be an issue. Id say 1.5" PVC would be plenty big and just make sure that your spray bar has enough outflow so that it's not restricting the flow of water and it should be fine.

I know there are people here that have done this sort of thing, hopefully somebody will chime in that has experience. I've never run a canister at all. But I do my own plumbing for sumps, and I wouldn't think that backpressure would hurt the pumps in the canisters as long as the plumbing is big enough.

 

[Bee0912]

You can do 3 spray bars each a 1.5' long for each filter. Just do one per opening of the tank. The location of them will hide them and you won’t see that they are separate? This will also help with maintenance.

 

[zebvance]

You can do 3 spray bars each a 1.5' long for each filter. Just do one per opening of the tank. The location of them will hide them and you won’t see that they are separate? This will also help with maintenance.

there is only 2 openings i can use

 

[zebvance]

I really want to try to stick with 1 spray bar if i can. Any Ideas

 

[bcrank]

You can do a looped system. I have used it successfully on waterfalls where the feed comes from several different pumps (filter, circulation, 2nd filter). Use whatever size feed for the pumps, usually 3/4:, 1". For the loops use the largest tube you can get. At least 1 1/2. 3" if you can. (It is only a few feet). For the spray bar, use the desired size in the tank, but feed from a larger tube outside the tank. The dimensions are not listed, because you will do that on your own. Feed from one end if you wish, but from both for equal pressure across the spray bar.

Look at the 2 minute sketch. If it helps.