Diy Spray Bar

[CezzaXV]

Hey everyone,

I'm running a Fluval 205 in my 60L tank right now (a little overkill, though I'm planning on getting a bigger tank in coming months). At the moment I've got the outlet in the centre of the tank pointed towards one side (the design of the lid doesnt allow it to be anywhere but the middle and if I have it pointing forwards it splashes out and down the side of the tank).

Ideally I'd like a spray bar to create extra surface movement and flow around the whole tank, but I find the official spray bars rather overpriced. I'm wondering if I attached a T-pipe to the outflow pipe, then some longer pipes with holes in it and allow water to still flow out of either end, that's got to be better than what I've got now, right?

Just wanting some opinions and making sure this isn't one of those ideas that seem great in theory but not in practice. Is plain old plastic piping okay to use in a tank?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

This may not work on a 205, but I have modded my FX5, by replacing the double nozzle output with a 22mm plumbing elbow. To be sure it was doable I just bought a basic elbow for <£2 from B&Q, but there is a type of plumbing pipe that locks together ("speedfit"?), so that an elbow piece can be clicked onto some pipe that has been drilled with the desired number of holes.

 

[CezzaXV]

Can you elaborate on why you think it might not work on a 205?

My plan was to get a T-pipe which is slightly smaller than the current output pipe, slot the pipe inside and then use one of these things to hold it in place.

Just having the output coming out in two directions even if it's not a full on spray bar would be better than what I've got now.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Only wondered if this mod would work on a 205 as I have no idea if the outlet piping is the same as on the FX5. The FX5's ribbed pipe go into a rubber connector, which has the 22mm plumbing elbow on the other side of this rubber interface.

 

[OldMan47]

Once you have the T connected, why not go all out and add a length of pipe with a cap on the end and holes along the length to really spread out the flow.

 

[CezzaXV]

Update!

I was expecting to be trawling around DIY shops in the plumbing section for such a T bend, but I actually found one in my LFS when I wasn't even looking. I think it's for a pond filter (so I know it's good around fish) and cost me £2.99 (which was probably a rip off, but hey). It's pushfit 19mm. I found this to be the exact width of the Fluval pipe, but I discovered that the spout that originally comes with the filter and the rubber piece that holds it in place come apart and holds the T bend perfectly.

The flow isn't quite as much as I'd like, but I've now got flow around the whole of my tank as opposed to one side, there is alot more surface movement, and it didn't take ages messing around with it to get it so that it's not making loads of splash noises like the spout does. I've also now got the filter turned up full blast and it doesn't feel too much, whereas before I had to turn the filter down to half way to stop my fish getting flung about.

I'm not sure if the flow is enough to be able to make use of a spray bar. but I may do some experiments if I find some inexpensive piping to play about with.

 

[Tizer]

I'm not entirely sure why you are bothering to be honest For 60 litres its totaly over kill Plus i dont think you have any fish that particularly require any special treatment like increased oxygen or even flow? Correct me if im wrong

 

[CezzaXV]

It probably is overkill lol, though my room is being redecorated in the next month or two and I'm hoping to be able to fit a much bigger tank in here then, at least 120L (which is why I went for the 205 and not the 105). Plus it makes me feel better not having a "dead area" in my tank.

 

[Tizer]

It probably is overkill lol, though my room is being redecorated in the next month or two and I'm hoping to be able to fit a much bigger tank in here then, at least 120L (which is why I went for the 205 and not the 105). Plus it makes me feel better not having a "dead area" in my tank.

Yeah, but do remember fish sleep too, not just as night, being battered by water 24/7 isnt ideal, even river fish chill out in an eddy of a river to relax. Good circulation is great, dont get me wrong, certainly keeps detritus from settling on the bottom.

 

[CezzaXV]

The left hand section of my tank is quite heavily planted, with a wide open area on the right. The flow amongst the plants at the roots still seems minimal to none as none of the leaves down there are moving like they are at the top now. I've also got several caves so there are plenty of spaces with low flow for the fish to chill out if they want. At any rate, my bamboo shrimp is loving the extra flow at the surface!

 

[rob00120]

I've also now got the filter turned up full blast and it doesn't feel too much, whereas before I had to turn the filter down to half way to stop my fish getting flung about


how do you turn the filter up and down as i have the fluval 305 and to me it is a little slow thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

I dont know if it's the same on the 305, but on the 205 there's a black lever which you can use to shut off the water when you're doing filter maintenance and such. You have it up to stop the water and down to let it flow, but if you put it somewhere in the middle you can adjust the flow.