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My DIY spray bar/closed loop type thingamjiggy...

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Eric, Dec 1, 2009.

  1. Dec 1, 2009 #1
    Eric West Des Moines, IA

    Eric Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,170
    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +33 / 0 / -0
    When I upgraded my skimmer's pump to a Mag 7, I had a Rio 2500+ that wasn't being used anymore (of course my wife told me to sell it).  Since I've been wanting more flow in my tank, and specifically top down versus lateral, figured I'd experiment!
    Cost was minimal - $5 for PVC and I had some Krylon left over from when I built my tank.
    Created a "T" spray bar out of 3/4" PVC - the outlets are all threaded which is why I was looking for Loc-Line
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Little re-arranging in the middle of the tank for the pump
    [​IMG]
    Nice flat rock to set it on
    [​IMG]
    Finished product
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Dec 1, 2009 #2
    Eric West Des Moines, IA

    Eric Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,170
    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +33 / 0 / -0
    Flow is okay - guess I was initially expecting more output but this is just fine the way it is.  2500+ is rated @ 792 gph, and with a loss calculator I'm figuring it about 550 gph, which from 6 outlets is about 90 gph.  As it's linear flow I think more might have been too much.
    As I mentioned, the outlets are threaded so I can add loc-line later if needed.
    The Rio has easy access to the impeller from the front - and if I need to get at it I just need to move a rock out of the way.
    Nothing is glued in the setup so I can modify it as needed.
    Cheap and easy flow and essentially a closed loop that will also create flow through the rockwork to the pump.
    -Eric
     
  3. Dec 1, 2009 #3
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    3,547
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    It's all good until that pump gets plugged up, overheats and oozes a petroleum based resin into your tank.

    Rio's are bad news.
     
  4. Dec 1, 2009 #4
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    5,011
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    It's an interesting concept...I never would have thought to do something like that...put the pump in the tank like that and all. I would have had the water coming from the sump and that just wouldn't have been as efficient. Your design reduced the head pressure and maximizes the flow potential from that pump.

    Jeremy makes a good point that you may want to consider putting a snail guard or some kind of pre-filter in place, but I like the idea...and with that black Krylon, it really fades into the background. Looks good!

    --AJ
     
  5. Dec 1, 2009 #5
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    It's a PROVEN fact that RIO pumps DO OVERHEAT AND LEAK A PETROLEUM BASED RESIN INTO TANKS. Do you want proof? I have had 3 of them go bad in the last couple of years. They don't just stop working either, they melt until eventually it trips the breaker, luckily. The last one melted in my water change container.

    It's obvious that unless you want to unbury that pump every couple of weeks to clean it, it's going to run hot.

    The idea about implementing this kind of flow is great but your design has flaws.
     
  6. Dec 1, 2009 #6
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Aren't there multiple generations of the RIO pumps?  I heard that the issues you're referring to were confirmed with the first generation of these pumps, but later generations where epoxy filled like Eheim pumps and didn't have that issue.  Probably worth checking into if you own a Rio pump.   I know I have one in my water mixing tank....I should check what generation it is.
    Also worth checking into may be your keyboard.  I think the caps lock key is getting stuck from time to time...   /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/hehe.gif
    --AJ
     
  7. Dec 1, 2009 #7
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    3,547
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    Could be, but putting a pump on a rock an inch above the sand bed and then stacking rock and coral around it isn't good practice.
    I am entitled to an OPINION, am I not? 
     

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