I want to place the intakes at varying levels across the back of the tank. then for the return I was going to build spray bars for two of the returns. if you are looking at the front of the tank it would go like this... on the right side one spray bar would start at the middle of the tank ang go to the right across the back, when it gets to the corner using a 90 degree fitting it would make the corner and continue to the front of the tank where it would be capped off. the flow would be directed toward the front and to the left side of the tank. The second spray bar would come up the middle and go left only to the back corner of the tank. The third return will be placed approxitmaley half way down the tank and pointed to the left side of the tank. does this make sense? any ideas or comments?
spray bar idea
- Thread starter TxSharker
- Start date
I did something similar with one inch pvc but did a closed loop. You can do a t in the middle without connecting a full loop, but you porbably get more even pressure with a closed loop. I did not drill small holes though, I found it great at 1/2 to 3/8 inch holes, drilled every few inches. I do not remember the math exactly, but you want about 150 gph per 3/8 hole if I remember right (might want to check my math on that, it has been a while, but I know that sounds right. If it is for a reef, you want 200 to 250 per half inch hole, and you can use T fittings and 1/2 inch pipe instead of drilling them. I took short pieces of pvc and heated them so I could squeeze the end to add pressure. So find what your pump is rated at-at its height and divide.
Another thing to consider (not that you havent, but worth a mention) with a return or inlet being anywhere away from the surface of the water, make certian you have a check valve you can trust. Power outage will be a flood if not.
Another thing to consider (not that you havent, but worth a mention) with a return or inlet being anywhere away from the surface of the water, make certian you have a check valve you can trust. Power outage will be a flood if not.