Quick question of spray bar location

[diver dan]

I'm in the process of setting a new 55 Gal tank. All the rocks and plants are in and the tank is full. (looks good so far. just need some fish).
I'm using an undergravel filter and an Odyssea CFS4 (Jebo 383)canister filter, plus an 11 watt Jebo UV sterilizer in line after the filter. The UV sterilizer may be over kill, but in the past I've had a really problem with green water.

My question is about the placement of the spray bar.
Does it attach to the back wall of the tank so the water flows back to front, or does it mount on the side wall of the tank so the water flows across the tank to the other side where the intake is located? If I put in on the side wall I'll have to shorten it to fit. Is that a problem? Any ideas?

 

[cherrypie]

Could be mounted in either location, depends on the length of the spraybar and if it will fit on the side, the back is probably more asthetically pleasing but either location should work fine. I suppose you could shorten it, you would need to either widen the existing spray holes or add new ones if you remove any by cutting it shorter.

 

[IceH2O]

Instead of shortening it could you put it on the side wall diagonally? Then hide it with plants.

I have a 75 gallon and find it has better water flow being on the side wall versus the back wall.

 

[diver dan]

Thanks for your input.
I think I might cut it and mount it on the side wall. I only have to trim it about 1 and 1/2 inch and I only lose one hole.

One more question. How close to the water surface or how far underwater should the spray bar be located?

 

[cherrypie]

Personally I have mine sitting just below the water line (~1/4 inch), angled upwards so that it creates a noticable current across the surface. I find this keeps the water moving around the tank nicely, exposes water fresh out of the canister to the surface for a little gas exchange and mixing with other surface water and best of all keeps the noise down.