Nice one mate, I have been thinking of doing this with my fx's aswell bu didn't really know if they sold fittings for it or if I would have to make my own, I think I will do it my self now nice one.
Thanks
Thanks
DIY FX5 Spraybar
- Thread starter 08trdoffroad
- Start date
On the end that is supported with the zip tie. How about making it just like the other end, but instead of a flex hose and clamp have the cap there.
08trdoffroad;3941692; said:
They have to line up?
Just kidding!
Nice looking job, I'll admit mine does not look near as nice, what with the wobbling holes and purple primer....
Nice work here = )
I have several questions if you don't mind...
Did you have any concerns with getting the right amount of holes in so that there would be enough flow without being too weak? Was it trial and error or planned?
Also, do you have any advice for getting the holes to line up neatly?
I have several questions if you don't mind...
Did you have any concerns with getting the right amount of holes in so that there would be enough flow without being too weak? Was it trial and error or planned?
Also, do you have any advice for getting the holes to line up neatly?
I like your spray bar idea.. I'm thinking of modifying your idea and make a 8' long one for my 300 and put my sump and both FX5's all together into 1 spray bar..
Richies^Ghost;4146414; said:
To be honest it was trial and error. I started out with a 24" bar and 1/4" holes. The flow was too much for the tank and was causing my sand to mound up pretty bad. I then tried a 36" bar with 1/4" holes, It was still too strong. I then just enlarged the holes in the 36" bar to 5/16" and that did the trick, enough flow to keep the sand clean, but not disturb it and blow it all over the tank.
The way I got my holes to line up was, I cut four small...maybe 1" pieces of scrap PVC, and and taped one on each side of the pipe with electrical tape (to keep it from rolling, (if you have a bench mounted vise, that would probably be the easiest option) I then centered my measuring tape on the PVC and taped it in place with Electrical tape also (to keep it from moving allowing all my marks to be in a straight line). I used a Sharpie to mark my 1.5" incriments. Then removed the measuring tape from the pvc. I then was just extra careful to center my drill bit on the mark. I then drilled all of the holes 1/4". I then went back and enlarged them to 5/16". Just a note, if you decide to go with 5/16" holes, use extra care when enlarging the 1/4" holes to keep the PVC from chunking out.
I hope that helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!
As a side note also, I have a 24" bar with 5/16" holes running on my severely overcrowded 55 gal Mbuna tank and it is working out great, it has gravel in it so I wasn't too worried about taming down the flow as much, and the fish don't seen to mind getting blasted but the flow from the FX5 and it has improved my water quality 10 fold because waste can no longer sit on top of the gravel and pollute the water. It is immediately moved into the intake and broken down by the bacteria in the filter.
Thanks for the reply!
Something I've learned is that the amount of flow through a circular hole is determined by the square of the diameter, so doubling the size of the hole is going to do more than double the flow!
Oh well, I will find out for sure this weekend when I finally get my new pump
Something I've learned is that the amount of flow through a circular hole is determined by the square of the diameter, so doubling the size of the hole is going to do more than double the flow!
Oh well, I will find out for sure this weekend when I finally get my new pump
Flow vs velocity is the difference here. By enlarging the holes from 1/4" to 5/16" it may have increased the amount of water flowing through each hole, but it has toned down the velocity at which it does so.
Spray bar looks good! I'm wondering if flow reduction is the only reason to have one. The tank that I am setting up has 6 input points at different heights in the tank, would that be enough to reduce the flow or should I be using a bar as well? Here is a picture of the tank before I removed the nasty paint on the sides...
