Clean bottom of Barebottom Proptanks?

[Kinetic]

I was thinking of putting two spray bars as my return lines on the bottom two edges of a prop tank. This will keep detritus etc. from collecting at the bottom and hopefully force them into the overflow. But then I found this:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../6822/cid/1827



If I hookup the return to about two of these, it will basically return the water on the bottom of the tank, shooting up the detritus better?

what do you think?

also, how do YOU keep your barebottom clean without needing to siphon it every week?

[jdieck]

Originally posted by koden

what do you think?

also, how do YOU keep your barebottom clean without needing to siphon it every week?

Two issues about sucking water from the bottom:
a) Complicated if not unpractical to try to device a system to maintain the water level stable.

b) Lack of surface skimming will accumulate protein and organic film.

The best solution is plenty of low. Keep the detritus in suspension, direct two or more powerheads to the bottom and one toward the overflow.

[Kinetic]

I mean this will be for the return, so water will be pushing out on the bottom of the tank, rather than sucking. It looks like each of these can cover a good amount.

My prop tank will contain the following:

Corner surface overflow box
Two Seio 1100's
Two returns, either spray bars down low, or the thing I posted above.

Any suggestions?

[dkh0331]

I don't understand what this product would offer compared to a piece of PVC with a 90 on the end of it.

David

[Rendos]

Originally posted by jdieck
Two issues about sucking water from the bottom:
a) Complicated if not unpractical to try to device a system to maintain the water level stable.

b) Lack of surface skimming will accumulate protein and organic film.

The best solution is plenty of low. Keep the detritus in suspension, direct two or more powerheads to the bottom and one toward the overflow.

This is how the water would return to the tank. Not a drain.

[Kinetic]

yes, it would return thus pushing stuff (hopefully) off the bottom.

[jdieck]

Originally posted by Rendos
This is how the water would return to the tank. Not a drain.

Got it... Just do not forget you may need a perforation on the return line near the surface to break the syphon in case there is a power failure or pump shut down to prevent an empty tank.

[Kinetic]

i'll definately have to put that in.

thanks for the tip.


another question, would this method be better than two spray bars on both corners of the tank?

[jdieck]

Originally posted by koden
i'll definately have to put that in.

thanks for the tip.


another question, would this method be better than two spray bars on both corners of the tank?

Not sure but you may experiment. My experience with spray bars is that they distribute the flow so much that the velocity slows down so it will much depend on your available discharge pressure and orifice sizes but for either case you may need a pressure rated pump.
Another to try may be having just 4 or 6 bottom returns with loc line for directing the flow. There will always be corners that may accumulate debris even at very high flows.

[Kinetic]

I will have two Seio 620's or 820's providing the turbulent flow.

I will try this piece as a bottom cleaner and then use a spray bar for the other return.