vertically oriented spray bar

[Ajordan]

Can anyone think of any reason not to place a spray bar vertically in a tank?

I thought of three possible issues that would be easy to overcome or live with:

It would be ugly - If painted and properly secured it wouldn't be much worse than a heater sitting in the corner.

It would create a whirlpool - as this would be DIY I would drill half of the holes "one way" and half of the holes "the other way." In other words, some pointing along the back of the tank and some pointing towards the front.

Lose the prime on the canister filter during water changes - I could either put in a 'plumber's curve' or deal with it... right?

So why would I want to do this? I worry that my single output from my Fluval isn't creating enough circulation but I also worry that a spray bar would create too much current at the surface for my hatchets. Would it make more sense to just point a spray bar straight down the back of the tank in the typical horizontal orientation?

 

[The Zigman]

just add a powerhead to eliminate deadspots

 

[Sploke]

The one in my 75 is vertical. Whats the difference between losing prime in a water change with a horizontal one? Either way you break the siphon loop, unless your horizontal one is at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Rbishop]

yep

 

[bghill]

The syphon will stop at the highest hole in either position so it may not be a huge amount of water loss. Sounds like a good idea though. I would think one benefit would be better current through plants. Also stir up the bottom debris more for better filter pick up. I would not do it with sand substate though.

 

[Squawkbert]

Mine is vertical, keeps surface agitation down, so I lose CO2 slower...

 

[severum mama]

I mounted the spray bar vertically in my 45 gallon planted, to minimize dead spots (since the tank is so tall). I really like the way it's worked out.