DIY Bottom of the tank "spraybar"

[Michiana]

I'm still in the planning / gathering / brainstorming / building stages, and I had an idea ........

I plan on elevating my liverock about 1 inch over my substrate. This should give plenty of hiding areas for little crittiers / fish. My tank is a 110 which is 60" wide, 18" front to back, and 24" high. I plan on using a LOT of rock (almost 175 lbs). My idea was to build / create something that would provide sufficient flow under the rock to keep it free of detritus, and improve the overall flow characteristics of the tank. Here's what I came up with. I took a 52" piece of 1/2 inch PVC and drilled a 1/16th inch hole every inch in a straight line along the whole length. I then stuffed a Maxijet 1200 in one end and capped the other end. Tried it out in the tank with a few inches of water and was un-impressed by the flow created .......

Time for another idea......... I removed the cap off the one end, and also the MJ 1200 from the other....... Then....... I stuck a Maxijet 900 in EACH end !!!! Dropped the rig back in the tank and fired it up again....... PERFECT !!!!!

In fact, I think there's enough pressure / volume for me to drill a few holes (10-12) at 90 degrees relative to the first line, which will provide flow up the back wall of the tank when the spraybar is placed against the back wall about an inch higher than the substrate.

I bet this would work fine with one powerhead feeding a "T" with equal lengths of "spraybar" on each side IF the holes were spaced 2 inches apart and the outer ends were capped !!!!

Comments ??? Suggestions ???

[Witfull]

i tried the bottom sprabar idea,,worked great for a time. they clog very easily.

[sasquatch]

Michiana, I use a bottom spray bar 1/4 '' holes every 3/4 '' with a quiet one 6000 thats 1500 gph, great flow hasnt clogged, ran a riser up at each end with adjustable nozzles. Steve