Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => DIY => Topic started by: Cichlidkid on October 22, 2014, 07:46:13 PM

Title: FX6 and DIY Spray bar help
Post by: Cichlidkid on October 22, 2014, 07:46:13 PM
Ok I have a FX6 and want to make a spray bar for a 125 gal tank (72"L x18"D x 20"T). I have watched everyone's videos including the KING OF DIY. My issue is has anyone made a spray bar for this setup that can help me out with hole size and spacing? No one ever says what there finished over all length is with hole size and spacing. I dont want to ruin the flow rate of the FX6 so that is why I am looking to see if anyone else has done it with success. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Geoff.
Title: Re: FX6 and DIY Spray bar help
Post by: Ron on October 22, 2014, 09:03:00 PM
I haven't experience yet, but I'm in a similar situation while wanting to make a distribution manifold for a return line from a sump. It may be that you'll need to make two, unless you get lucky with the first attempt.

Too few holes would unnecessarily choke the flow rating. Too make would lessen the velocity of the spray bar. My plan is to start out with some holes, then keep adding more while analyzing the impact and once the overall flow starts decreasing call it quits (or make a new one, with just a few less holes if you've gone too far).

The one thing I never see people do, is neck down the spray bar the further it goes. Home HVAC systems are plumbed in a way that the interior volume necks down the further you get from the pressure source, presumably to balance the output of the system. I've wondered if that extra detail would have significant impact ever in a tank setup. Then again, it'd most likely be blind guessing unless you take the time to figure out the formulas are do the math.
Title: Re: FX6 and DIY Spray bar help
Post by: Arturtle on October 23, 2014, 05:43:16 PM
I haven't made a diy spraybar, so take this advice with a grain of salt.  I would think a safe start in regards to how many holes you need and how large they should be is to make the hole diameter x quantity equal your tubing size.  In theory this would not restrict the flow rate, at least in my head.
Title: Re: FX6 and DIY Spray bar help
Post by: Cichlidkid on October 28, 2014, 06:58:32 AM
Done and works perfectly..... No dead spots on surface with great surface movement.
Title: Re: FX6 and DIY Spray bar help
Post by: Ron on October 28, 2014, 07:20:26 AM
No details? No pictures?