Waterfall

[Dan webb]

Hi I need some help!
I’m thinking about making my own 3D background. I have read up on how to do it and know it will take time so that’s no worry, I’m also thinking about putting a sand fall (waterfall) in.
I have been reading for a while how to do it so quite confident it doing it all however the one question I have is my filter and how it would effect it at the minute I have external filter in which has a spray bar that goes along the top of the tank so I’m just wondering how this would effect the sand fall? And on a side not should I incorporate the spray bar into the background itself and cut holes out for the water to spray out of the background so that you can’t actual see the spray bar. Any help or ideas would be most welcome

 

[WhistlingBadger]

OK, I've never done a sand waterfall, but I've watched a lot of youtube vids about them and I'm very intrigued by the idea. I have a bit of trouble understanding exactly what your question is (punctuation matters! ), but spray bars don't produce a lot of churning. It depends on the size of your tank and the flow of your filter, of course, but I think if you put it on the other side of your tank from your waterfall, you'll be fine.

 

[Dan webb]

OK, I've never done a sand waterfall, but I've watched a lot of youtube vids about them and I'm very intrigued by the idea. I have a bit of trouble understanding exactly what your question is (punctuation matters! ), but spray bars don't produce a lot of churning. It depends on the size of your tank and the flow of your filter, of course, but I think if you put it on the other side of your tank from your waterfall, you'll be fine.

My spray bars runs along the top of my tank nearly the full length of the back so was wondering if it would effect the sand fall

 

[WhistlingBadger]

OK. In that case, you want to design your waterfall so the rock-work shelters it from the current.

 

[Dan webb]

OK. In that case, you want to design your waterfall so the rock-work shelters it from the current.

Ok many thanks. Was just thinking about trying it getting board of the tank now lol. Do you think I should incorporate the spray bar into the styrofoam so you can’t see it and leave holes to line up with the spray bar?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Ok many thanks. Was just thinking about trying it getting board of the tank now lol. Do you think I should incorporate the spray bar into the styrofoam so you can’t see it and leave holes to line up with the spray bar?

You know, I had a filter incorporated into a foam backdrop one time and found it to be more of a pain than it was worth. So, if it were me I wouldn't do it.

By the way, if you're building with foam, try blue insulation form rather than Styrofoam. MUCH easier to work with, and you can find it at any lumber or building store. You can paint it with drylok, stained with concrete pigment, for a very realistic rock effect. Just make sure you get original drylok, not the kind with fungicides in it.