Spray Bar Design ? think this is good ?

[charles6299]

hello all....i am looking to install a diy spray bar w/ 1/4" pvc....the idea i have is, is to put the spray bar in the front of the tank above the water line so you don't see it...then drill the holes and aim them at a 45 degree angle right at the live rock and corals....this will be 72" long and ran by a mag 3 from the sump.....probuly a timer also......does anybody have anything like that currently installed, or do the veterns here think this sounds like a good idea ?

[Steven Pro]

A Mag-Drive 3 pumping from the sump is barely going to provide a trickle. Try searching for Anthony Calfo's perimeter manifold design. It is somewhat similar to what you are describing.

[STACKER]

I use a 3/4" 3 outlet return Mag 9.5 pump and check valve. If you plan to install any lines below the waterline a check valve is a must or when the pump goes off siphon will start automatically and suck a few gallons rignt into the sump.

[charles6299]

how many gallons per hour do you think an AGA 125gal. w/ dual over flows in the corners can handle ? i was thinking of using two mag 7's for my returns and a mag 9.5 for the closed loop manifold...giving me a total of about 2100 gallons per hour...is this too much ?

[doody]

What kind of corals do you plan to keep? what size overflows?
I'm planning a 125 sps dominated tank. I'm gonna use a PCX-55 (around 1150gph) for the return with two penductors. Then a sequence dart (around 3500gph) for the closed loop. Yes its alotta flow, but sps in a barebottom tank will love it. However, I probably wont be able to keep lps or softies.

[charles6299]

i am planning on lps and sps........i have 2 each 1 1/4" over flow tubes

[STACKER]

I'd suggest a simgle return pump. Dual 1-1/4" overflows I'd guess at 1600-1800 gph unrestricted. If you are sumping you'll want a pump capable of that gph at 4 ft. head. Keep in moind that you can neck down the overflow or valve it to restrict flow. A couple 45 deg. elbows will also lower flow be 50-100 gph in many cases. this will allow you to use a std. 1400 gph return. It's really reliant on your configuration.

[Steven Pro]

My 120 houses mostly a variety of LPS and SPS (I also have a RBTA, carpet, Pom-Pom Xenia, and Cespitularia). I use two Mag-Drive 1200 return pumps as well as a Tunze 6060 and everything appreciates the flow.