Aquarium Spray Bar Flow Demonstration - Pondguru

A quick demonstration of the flow resulting from a spray bar in an aquarium.
I had a few people request such a video so I made it - that's how it works.
Biohome filter media: www.filterpro.c... (links to international suppliers are flags on the home page - direct links).
If you found this video useful please give it the 'thumbs up' and share it wherever you want online.
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See you next time.
Pondguru

[@pondguru]

A quick demonstration of the flow resulting from a spray bar in an aquarium. I had a few people request such a video so I made it - that's how it works. Biohome filter media: www.filterpro.co.uk (links to international suppliers are flags on the home page - direct links). If you found this video useful please give it the 'thumbs up' and share it wherever you want online. I'm not on facebook, twitter or any of that muck so I've got great respect for anyone who shares anything on those platforms - you're doing God's work... RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: goo.gl/jMaBWy INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/pondguru_outdoors/ FILMING EQUIPMENT: Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder geni.us/3UwE +Rode stereo microphone: geni.us/4OL +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover: geni.us/1pmn JVC Everio quad proof HD camcorder: geni.us/e09e +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover (opened up and held between tripod and camera base) geni.us/dee24 Zomei Z666 tripod: geni.us/1a1af3 Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: geni.us/87f7 If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more - on a variety of subjects. Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching. See you next time. Pondguru

[@michaeleber4752]

I wish I could give this 5 thumbs up!!! The best science is science you can see.

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@joesmith9103]

These flow videos are great! This needs to be a whole series with diffrent filter types, output positions, ect!!!

[@pondguru]

If I can summon the motivation I will make it so, lol

[@akhileshthapa_fishbro86]

Please do. 🙏 ​@@pondguru

[@MP-nz8nr]

I have a 72" spraybar for my 125. I think I'm going to set it up and run a wavemaker on the opposite side of the tank to clean up any small debris and blow it directly toward the intake. Thank you for posting this!

[@pondguru]

Good one - just keep experimenting until you get something close to perfection.

[@DannysAquariums]

Awesome to see you pop up in my feed! Glad to see you’re still making content, used to watch a lot when I was into freshwater! :)

[@pondguru]

Good one - I'm glad you find the videos useful and best of luck with your tankd. I think my videos are starting to re-appear in subscribers' feeds which is really strange since they've been largely hidden since early 2020 by KZbin / Google.

[@sschario60]

"I've literally had... some requests..." 😂👍 These flow videos are brilliant, mate. Cheers.

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@thomasbrecknell794]

I have an Fx6 on my Jewel 450 Bow Front tank, and I made a spray-bar from 25mm/1” electrical black conduit. It’s almost the full length of the tank with holes about 50mm/2” apart facing the front of the tank and 4 or 5 holes at 90deg to them to try and clear any dead spots along the back of the tank. It works really well for me with plenty of oxygen being generated by the spray-bar.

[@pondguru]

Nice one - I'm glad that works well for you and thanks for watching.

[@zare5380]

I'd resentleey added a sprey bar on Sicce Whale 500 and is doing a great job. Thx Pondguru for such good and instructional videos

[@pondguru]

Nice one - I honestly had no idea that the spray bar was as effective as it is before I made this video.

[@davidjones5178]

I have changed my spray bar round.What a difference.I have better flow as well as i have shortened my hose. Thank you for the advise.

[@pondguru]

That is great to hear and I'm glad the video was useful.

[@barbarawiddowson635]

The "suction" is at the intake end so together with the spray bar the muck's going to end up there.I'd like to see what happens if there are two intakes, one at either end.Thank you Richard you've started something here!!

[@pondguru]

Yes, wherever the intake is is where the muck will generally end up but it can be different depending on how the tank is set up - any structure will affect the flow pattern so some experimentation may be necessary.

[@ABSnorm]

This would be a great addition to the pimp my filter series to help show a rough idea of the filters capabilities before and after modification. 👍

[@pondguru]

The problem is with the Pimp My Filter series is that all the filters belong to viewers so when I fill them up with new foams and media I want everything to stay dry so I can ship the filters back full of (dry) media and foams. The flow rate will not alter since it is the fine pad which dictates the restriction of flow (when it gets clogged with muck). Whether the fine pad is placed in the correct place or last in the filter it will clog at the same rate.

[@davidewart5524]

That's just amazing to see the flow. Amazing video.

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you found the demonstration useful.

[@markiemark1869]

Nice video... Ive was using this method for years, but the wider the tank, the less effective it is, unless you use a more powerful filter, & setting it up on the side ends depends on the length of the tank, as it causes a corkscrew effect under the water, so from the cap end of the spray bar it hits the glass opposite & winds back to the filter end. But if used either end, the flow will be less effective as the flow will stopped before it hits the glass the other end... And also, spray bars are meant to be on the water line to help with air .... But this method does work as ive used it & great video as always 👍

[@pondguru]

Yes, it is always best to have the spray bar right at the surface and when there is flow being fired from each end of the tank it definitely does cancel the flow pattern out - thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@petervandieren]

This is a spray bar placed lengthwise at the back. It would be nice to see the difference with a spray bar on a side, blowing from right to left (or the other way around).

[@pondguru]

No worries - I should really have done that in this video. The effect of having the spray bar on the end of the tank is much lessened due to the spray bar being shorter and less water being able to flow (due to a reduction in the amount of holes in a short spray bar). I'll make a video to demonstrate.

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

That is an absolutely incredible outcome. Who would of guessed that the muck would still assemble there. Do you reckon it's because quite literally, that one spot is the place where the flow is at its least? , it surely has to be . Another great video my friend 👌

[@pondguru]

I honestly thought that the muck would just rotate and not navigate toward the intake but it does just that. Until you set something up to investigate and give a visual representation of what actually happens it's all just guesswork so I'm glad I've done this test. Yes, I think that's the area of least flow where the muck navigates to but it does it so much better than when a normal straight outlet is fitted to the pump / outlet. This was a pleasant surprise.

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

@@pondguru certainly was a surprise. You are creating real scientific evidence here mate 😁😁😁 oh and don't think your joke went unnoticed, because it made me laugh straight away !!! " I've literally had ........ " some " requests 😂. I'm still finding it funny even a few hours later 😂

[@pondguru]

@@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR Yup, that's a very old one from the Clarkson days of Top Gear, lol Nothing new under the sun.

[@MrG.Ivan76]

Love these demonstrations , reminds me of johhny ball so easy to understand 🙏🌈💚🦐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you find the videos useful - thanks for watching.

[@atsumeru3245]

Might be time to pull back out my Fluval spray bar kit, especially with how my sponge is tall, all the better it seems... Shrimps' and other sponge feeders paradise!

[@pondguru]

Yes, I was genuinely surprised at just how efficient the spray bar was at moving muck to the intake and in a tank with good structure, plants etc. the spray bar is a the obvious choice to get the uneaten food and fish waste swept into the filter intake whether that is an internal filter or an external canister filter. I definitely learned something today which is great.

[@Badwilly]

Great video keep up the great work 👏🏻

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you thought the video had useful information.

[@jonnyshock9165]

That's great 👍 👌 😊

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@mrdave9315]

Good job 👍🏿

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you thought the video had something useful to offer - thanks for watching.

[@joyoffishkeeping]

Amazing demo

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@shaunmorris6411]

Good video mate like watching these very interesting, could you do a spray bar going left or right on the surface of the tank as that how I’ve got mine set up with a fx4 😊

[@pondguru]

On the end of the tank? If so then that will work in much the same way. Someone else asked me the same question so I will shoot a video tonight with the spray bar on the end of the tank to demonstrate what happens when it is set up that way. As long as you have good water movement and the muck is being swept toward the intake of the filter the system will work well - there's no definitive way to set up the filter since every tank is different - just experiment and see what works best for your situation.

[@shaunmorris6411]

@@pondguru cheers mate yes would be interested if my set up could be improved anyway

[@olafcichlids3121]

Very nice and usefull footage but im wondering what will happen if you put some stones in or something

[@pondguru]

Any sort of structure will affect the flow patterns in the tank. Plants will diffuse the flow and solid structures (e.g. wood / rocks) will redirect it. Therefore experimentation is key as every tank is set up differently.

[@Squatching_Fish]

Which way are the outputs on the spraybar positioned? Is the flow generated aimed slightly up. Straight (Horizontal) or is it aimed at a slight downward angle? Curious which angle you chose to generate this flow pattern. Cool video. Never seen one like it before.

[@pondguru]

It doesn't really matter too much but generally if the spray bar was above the water line it would be angled down, if it was at water level it would be straight and if it was under the surface it would be angled up. That way you always get good surface movement which aids the release of dissolved gases in the water to exchange with the atmosphere. The cyclical pattern of flow will be the same if the spray bar is above, on or under the water surface sice water is flowing toward the front of the tank in all cases.

[@Squatching_Fish]

@ thank you for the thorough explanation. I chose to go with under aimed up.

[@pondguru]

@@Squatching_Fish Good one - best of luck with the tank.

[@vigarrett6014]

Hi, I thought you might want to know they upgraded the Osae Biomaster Canister filter 350 all the things you talk about and more.

[@pondguru]

Yes, it only took them 4.5 years, lol

[@GupPi_3.14]

Nice one

[@pondguru]

I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@gowthams2865]

Brilliant video But I have internal sump and have overflow internal sump and my input is another side and it in top I was not able to push all muck into filter Can you post a video similar for tank in internal side sump Where both input and output is in top and how we can make it more efficient to place output

[@pondguru]

Regular cleaning using a gravel cleaner will draw in the vast majority of settled muck but depending on the size of the tank and stock a wave maker may be an option to move light muck up and into the intake. Generally only small lightly stocked tanks would have the intake at the top so a wave maker may be too powerful.

[@gowthams2865]

@ 50 gallon tank and it stocked with fancy goldfish Wave maker will make goldfish suffer so I didnt add it yet Thank you for your reply

[@pondguru]

@@gowthams2865 Since goldfish produce lots of waste you'll have to keep on top of the cleaning with a gravel cleaner if the filter draws from teh top of the water. Fancy goldfish don't like a heavy flow and ideally they would have a filter which draws from the bottom or near the bottom of the tank - it's a shame the sump draws from the top as generally the overflow would have a shroud of glass around which stops about 1/4" from the base to ensure that it draws from the bottom. Depending on the design of the overflow you could possibly add glass around it to ensure that muck is drawn from the bottom, up then over the top.

[@gowthams2865]

@ thank you for valuable input sir

[@benc3214]

I use a spray bar exactly how you set it up, i was considering going back to the duck bill on my 307 but i think ill just keep the spray bar 😂 i will say im quite heavily planted and have driftwood and structures so that probably makes it less effective.

[@pondguru]

Any sort of structure will affect the flow so it's best to just experiment with different outlet types and different locations for intake / outlet. Every tank is different so experimentation is key. It's very different and easy to demonstrate flow in this video's bare tank, lol

[@benc3214]

@@pondguru Absolutely its a good visual though and surprising as you said.

[@GODwithus73]

Thank you again sir, What would happen if you add another pump in the left side, I seen a lot of people doing 2 filters on bigger aquariums

[@pondguru]

Usually the clean flow pattern is cancelled out but muck will generally gravitate to where the intake of the filter(s) is located. As soon as structure is introduced into the tank flow patterns change so experimentation is needed for best placement of intake(s) and outlet(s).

[@GODwithus73]

@@pondguru thank you sir

[@mrvera1970]

Hi I just put one on my four foot tank full of danios . Should I put it just on horizontal level of the water spray across the surface to create agitation or pointing down . What’s best suggestion for angles Or does it not matter ? Also how fast for danios do they like fast current esp at night as they hang out near surface . Should I slow it down slightly at night when they’re kipping . Sorry I know a lot of questions . But you are the Guru 👍😜

[@pondguru]

Ideally it would be at water level to agitate the surface and hep with aeration. As long as you have plenty of structure and good planting for the fish there is no need to reduce the flow since the flow will be naturally diffused by plants redirected by the structure which allows for zones of lower flow and a better living environment.

[@mrvera1970]

@@pondguru thanks for the advice . I recently moved a big tank full of danios and algae eaters to change my lounge up and they seem to hate the new location . It’s quite near the lounge door and tv and now the algae eater have gone nocturnal. It’s a shame as I’ve had one for 12 years and now he just hides . I think it’s either the tv noise or they’re now at a busy part of the lounge Hopefully in time they will adjust . I just added a spray bar so I will now like you suggest up the planting more. . Thank for the advice R 👍

[@mrvera1970]

@@pondguru my spray bar is also on the side going length ways . It is a shorter length nose but I don’t like all the bubbles rushing to the front glass . The intake is at open site enemy and I vacuumed a lot so I think it should be ok

[@pondguru]

@@mrvera1970 I've never been a fan of seeing tanks near a TV due to the flashing images but to be fair I'm not sure exactly how much of that the fish will see in the tank. With regard to the spray bar whatever position works for you is the best - there is never a definitive way to set anything up since every tank is different.

[@mrvera1970]

@@pondguru they are a foot behind and to the side so they can’t watch Eastenders . No they just see the back but they are to the side to be honest I think it’s because they used to be in a quiet part of the lounge near the window but I had the window replaced so I had to move the tank and when I did, I thought I ain’t moving it back. It’s such an operation playing tank Tetris . I’ve only got so much wall space so they have to stay where they are, but I think eventually they will get used to the fact that people are coming in from the door towards them and then go to the couch so I think it’s just about getting used to lots of people coming in and out all the time hopefully they will settle because Fish in aquarium shops get used to people. Do you miss having your shop ?

[@rdh67dh]

I installed similar, but at the short side of my aquarium. Using an Oase 850 and Juwel 240.

[@pondguru]

That will still work fine and the short side of the aquarium is a position most people never think to put their outlet on but it is a good position.

[@robo7767]

Does a bowfront aquarium change the flow of water with the bar or the nozzle?

[@pondguru]

It will be much the same - when water is fired from the back of the tank toward the front it eventually has to come back toward the rear of the tank (where the spray bar is fitted) due to the cyclical motion and as demonstrated here it will navigate toward the intake. However, every tank is different so just experiment and see what works best for you - there is no definitive right or wrong place to have the intake and outlet.

[@robo7767]

@@pondguru thank you!

[@jackcarr1813]

So you think it is better to run your spray bar along the length of the tank instead of the width? Your video has clear results for the length which is what I run but have had people tell me to run it on the width. Curious to see a comparison or even just know which is better

[@pondguru]

It will be much the same and I will do that in a new video in the next couple of days to demonstrate. If it is mounted on the side of the tank the turnover of water is less than if you use a normal outlet on the pump. That's due to the limited amount of exit holes on a short spray bar restricting the potential flow from the pump - hope that makes sense.

[@dmzsniper]

@@pondguru Just wondering if you will still be doing that video. There were quite a few requests but i did not see the video? Thanks

[@pondguru]

@@dmzsniper I filmed it but the effect was exactly the same as when any outlet is placed on the end of the tank (a cycling flow for the whole length of the tank) so it was pointless putting that out again as it had been demonstrated in the first flow video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpetk4hjep2Meqs

[@jeffedwards6414]

I was planning a new aquarium with overflows in the back corners and a sump below. But the intake would be positioned at the top of the waterline and now I'm thinking that's a bad design. I'll need an intake outside of the overflow. What do you recommend for getting the intake closer to the bottom if you have overflow configurations? Thanks very much for the informative videos! -Jeff

[@pondguru]

You can add more glass around the intake which terminates an inch or two from the tank base then use mesh / foam to prevent fish entering the intake - that way the water will be drawn in from the bottom of the tank and will have to travel up then over the existing overflow. Hope that makes sense.

[@davidjones5178]

I have had my spraybar the wrong way round.No wonder it didn,t work properly.Thank you for showing this.

[@pondguru]

No worries and best of luck with the tank.

[@melaniedarraugh4871]

So the holes of your spray bar are facing the glass at the back?

[@pondguru]

The holes are facing out into the tank so the water travels from the back of the tank to the front.

[@jimmysirlonewolflauritsen1831]

Wonder what would happen, if the spray bar was mounted on the side panel, spraying down the length of the aquarium? 🤔

[@ThousandYardStare]

(my other channel) Damn, I should have done that in this video - I'll shoot another video showing that, lol

[@chuck77k]

it will be there where water sucked from aquarium. Mount the spay bar on top of drain and water will make a cycle... nothing new here in video, but demonstration is just perfect :)

[@pondguru]

@@chuck77k Yes, nothing new as everyone should be able to predict where the water will go but it's useful to see it with moving parts (the gel balls acting as 'muck').

[@chuck77k]

​@@pondguru Anyway, you have done the best visualization ever :)

[@Hey_ImMVP]

Do you have the video showing from side to side vs back to front for spray bar placement up yet?

[@bobbysauer7826]

are you sure it doesent just collect below wherever the intake is? you should test that aswell...

[@pondguru]

Yes, the muck would generally gravitate toward wherever the intake is but that can change when any structure is introduced into the tank. Unless the tank is bare (like it is in this video) you'll never get a clean flow pattern since structure will redirect it.

[@MrG.Ivan76]

Quick question Sir pond guru . . . What's the quietest canister filter you've tested ??? I've had to pull the plug on the aps 1000ef+ to save there being a divorce 🤣

[@pondguru]

When I get all the canister filters to feature in the Pimp My Filter videos I don't run them as they are not mine (and I send them back dry, full of media and foams). However, from past experience the Eheim filters are consistently quiet but unfortunately the construction quality has taken a dive since the Pro3 series. There will always be a 'hum' from canister filters and as long as you ensure that air isn't being drawn into the intake they will all be reasonably quiet. Sometimes the cheaper they are the louder they are but that is not always the case. It is best to look at online reviews and Amazon in particular will have unedited feedback from people who have used the filters.

[@MrG.Ivan76]

@@pondguru Thanks again kind Sir M

[@usmc187]

I use a spray bar in a 2 gallon saltwater tank connected to a canister filter. Works amazing with a better flow.

[@pondguru]

Groovy - sounds good to me.

[@usmc187]

@@pondguru I'm now using a spray bar in my new 20 gal saltwater tank with OASE canister filter and its awesome. Also thanks for the proper way to pimp the OASE!

[@pondguru]

@@usmc187 No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@graemekann4739]

Hi mate, hope your well. Am thinking of getting a fluval flex. On market place it comes with no external back filter. Eheim power ball or fluval? Appreciate your thoughts!

[@pondguru]

The Fluval Flex comes with a built-in back sump so it should be present unless it has been cut out? In the absence of that back sump filter the best choice would be a simple (and cheap) HOB filter such as the All Pond Solutions HOB-500. geni.us/Q4AI37t It is probably the best filter I've featured in the 'Pimp My Filter' series of videos.

[@graemekann4739]

@@pondguru hi cheers for that, I've also seen another with the system in place, do you like the all in one system?

[@pondguru]

@@graemekann4739 The back sumps are very good as they hold everything outside of the main tank and have a nation of space for media. Plus they are very easy to maintain.

[@graemekann4739]

@@pondguru that's great cheers mate. What media would you put in ? I haven't yet seen a pimp my filter on the flex yet me' ol fruit!

[@pondguru]

@@graemekann4739 With the small sumps the Biogravel is perfect if used in small mesh bags. I have it ready filled or loose with mesh bags separately on the FilterPro site (media is on 'Biohome Media' page and mesh bags are on 'Foams, Bags' page. Best of luck with the tank. You can get around 1.5kg Biogravel into a small back sump no problem.

[@iangrice329]

OMG that is so surprising 😮 it's a real shame most tanks don't let you fit spray bars at the surface.

[@pondguru]

Yes, although I doubt that many companies making tanks or filters have ever done a simple test like this to see where water (and muck) goes in their aquariums. This test even surprised me as I honestly didn't think that the spray bar would be as efficient as a single outlet but it turns out that a spray bar is way more efficient compared to a single outlet (e.g. duck bill outlet) to move fish waste and uneaten food into the intake of the filter.

[@chuck77k]

is it just pump sucked water from bottom? Sure muck will be there, where else? :)) it is water flow direction :)

[@pondguru]

Yes, the muck would generally gravitate toward wherever the intake is but that can change when any structure is introduced into the tank. Unless the tank is bare (like it is in this video) you'll never get a clean flow pattern since structure will redirect it.

[@wishitwasallflat201]

Can't see why you are doing these with intake in the wrong place. Flow will always be from output to intake and locations of - both - are crucial to determining flow pattern. Using a power head makes these pretty irrelevant. Why not use a cannister filter and show accurate patterns?

[@ThousandYardStare]

(my other channel) an outlet is an outlet and an intake is an intake - whether that is on a canister or internal filter the flow results are the same. Feel free to make videos yourself on anything you think people would want to see and link them in the comments, no worries.

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

Of course the water will enter the tank from the outlet and exit the tank from the intake. Yes that is how water enters and exits. This video is to show the muck that is moving within the tanks water column, and purely to show where the best position is for the intake, to remove the maximum amount of debris, at the same time as removing the water. When using a canister filter, the intake and outlet can be placed wherever the Aquarist chooses. And a lot of people mostly choose one at one end, and the other at the opposite end. This demonstration is to show that doing this is not generally the best thing to do, by showing where the debris settles.

[@pondguru]

@@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR Groovy - that pretty much explains it. Whatever works for you is the best, lol

[@chefkda]

Not the best for fish that prefer swimming against current, but good for keeping a tank clean.

[@pondguru]

? If you have a spray bar it is the best for fish which don't like a heavy current since the flow is diffused across the whole length of the tank and the entire middle section of the tank is slow flow. Basically a spray bar is the best way to ensure that the tank is kept clean and the fish aren't bothered by a heavy flow (as they would be with a straight outlet / 'duck bill' outlet). If you have guppies, Angels etc. which don't like a heavy flow then the spray bar is the way forward.