Canister filters and spraybars....

I just got a XP3 about 3 weeks ago. I have always used Fluval 404's, but wanted to try this cannister. At first it did seem confusing until I got it all put together. I feel it was how the directions were written.

For spray bar placement, I went with it across the back of my tank. I saw the up and down placement and didn't see any benefits in it. I could be wrong though.

Anybody else have any ideas.

I have a 403 with a double spray bar which I put across the back of my 55. It basically runs the whole distance minus about 3 inches each side. I prefer it this way cause I get water movement across the whole length of the tank instead of just part of the tank. I have it about 1/3 down aimed slightly up so it creates a circle effect so the substrate has the current running front to back towards the intake.

I think the vertical placement is simply a suggestion in case you want to hide it behind some plants etc.

As far as circulation in the tank, just put your intake at the opposite end. Your tank wont "channelize" like a canister filter!


Gumby7

The different placement options give a few choices of how you want current to flow and whether you want alot of surface agitation or not. If you placed it vertically, say in a corner facing along the back glass, you could get your current running around your tank like a tornado/whirlpool (although not that strong). If you placed it horizontally, like Moose said, you would have a tunnel effect (rolling water) with water heading toward the front glass at the top, and near the substrate it would be rolling back towards the back glass.

Also, most people don't like their equipment in high visibility areas of their tanks (like Moose placed his- 1/3 way down entire back glass) and choose to place them horizontally at the top waterline or vertically in back corners. You can also hide it behind rocks and plants (as someone else said). If you place it horizontally at the waterline, and aim it strait across the water, you get more surface agitation occuring and heavy aeration occurs. Planted tanks (with CO2 injected) don't want surface agitation, and placing it vertically reduces this. Also placing it further below the waterline stops high surface agitation, buth then you have the visibility thing again!

HTH