Spray Bar Location

[oxfordmark]

Hey

Been having a move around in my tank. I used to have my spray bar horizontal about 2 inches below the water level. But I noticed this is making the pipe bend. I just moved it vertically. Is that OK

 

[snazy]

Not really.
You need surface agitation for oxygen, otherwise your fish will suffocate and your filter bacteria won't process ammonia.

 

[oxfordmark]

Ah oh so should I move it back to horizontal position?

Just to add. The spray bar goes all the way to the bottom of my tank, doesn't end half way..

 

[snazy]

Well, if that's your only means of surface movement, then yes, as soon as possible.

 

[oxfordmark]

Well, if that's your only means of surface movement, then yes, as soon as possible.

So should the spray bar be fully below the water surface?

 

[techen]

Yes but facing up to make surface movement.

 

[plectastic]

Well you can have it just above the surface if you can put up with the noise. I found you get best surface agitation this way but the noise was too much for my living room. I've got it just under the surface pointing up now to ripple the surface. Quiet this way.

 

[MBOU]

That's how I always recommend to do it too, have the spray bar about an inch under the water (depending how powerful filter is, you don't need a fountain!) and angle the holes of the spraybar as if towards the top front of the tank and then adjust from there, if the spraybar aims directly upwards, you'll get water everywhere so tip it forwards so you can see the point where the water from filter hits the surface and rolls the water forwards towards the front glass.

 

[maurizio]

I always wondered, MBOU: what you describe is the ideal positioning to guarantee the max ripple & therefore oxygenation, but that doesn't provide any help in debris removal from the water column... I know the answer would be a power head, but how really essential is it, when you can make use of that beautiful free flow straight from your filter?
 
I've tried a number of solutions with time (well, only 1,5 years), and eventually I'm using the downward option, cascading down from about 2 cm with a slight angle. That helps the nasties move towards the filter intake, on the opposite side of the tank. SO FAR, O2 is the only problem I haven't had... Sure, I have to cope with the noise, and I'd love indeed to put it back into the more orthodox, ripple-generating setup.

 

[Livewire88]

I always wondered, MBOU: what you describe is the ideal positioning to guarantee the max ripple & therefore oxygenation, but that doesn't provide any help in debris removal from the water column... 

 
When the spray bar is positioned as MBOU has described the water will hit the glass at the front then flow down the front, then along the substrate. Creating a circular flow from front to back. (as long as the filter flow is strong enough)
 
Obviously tank decor will also have an effect on the direction of flow, power heads can be used to help create flow in dead spot areas. 

 

[MBOU]

Livewire got my point spot on saved me having to say it lol.

 

[maurizio]

OK, right, the bar is along the long side of the tank, at the back!