Water movement in a planted tank?

[luke_potts]

Hi all,

I was wodering how much water movement would be good for a planted tank???????????
Thanks for your advice.

Cheers
luke

[ChloroPhil]

Gentle current throughout the whole tank is best. I prefer to have a spraybar along the bottom to get the richest water at the roots (it also allows the CO2 to percolate up through the plants) and then circulate up and around the rest of the stem.

[ghettobanana]

I have never seen a spray bar at the bottom of the tank wall. You have any pics of that? There is no way I could do that with all the plants on my sides.

[ChloroPhil]

The way I had my 90 set up last time I ended up making a spraybar out of 1/2" PVC. In general the concept is just like that of a canister filter's spraybar, only larger. It was up against the back wall and was covered by plants so I never saw it.

[luke_potts]

so nice BIG holes in the spray bar????????

cheers
luke

[M0oN]

If the holes are too big the water just sort of seeps out rather then spraying out and you lose circulation...

That's my experience anyway...

[ChloroPhil]

3-4mm or 1/8 inch is about right unless you've got a really strong pump, then you'll want them a little bigger.

[luke_potts]

Yeah stong pumps, i am guuilty of over kill as well!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
ATM i have about 16 4mm holes and about 8 6mm holes and this is still creating an awfully fast current. The fish love it but it just as well the plants are well rooted :o :o ;D

Cheers
Luke