Spray Bar Position?

[Andy-lee]

Hi everyone, I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to how to keep plants correctly there's a picture of my tank in my signature and in the link also. What I was wondering though is how to position the spray bar, do I have it up high and spraying outwards so it agitate's the surface or lower down so there is still the current but with no agitation? Or. . . Facing the back wall so there is little current and zero surface agitation?
Help would be appreciated
Cheers
Andy

 

[elisew]

I personally felt the best placement for my spraybar when I had the Fluval 205 and 305 was for the flow to be facing towards the front of the tank agitating the surface with a good ripple. If you have it too far above the water you my end up getting fed up with hearing the noise all the time so lower it bit by bit until it`s pretty much level with the surface.

The agitation of the water produces oxygen which in turn then benefits the fish

 

[Andy-lee]

That's how I have it atm but I was informed in a separate thread that to have no agitation as it raises the O2 levels thus reducing the Co2 levels the plants thrive upon?!?

 

[alex.wardle]

I am a wee bit of a noob as well but do have a slight bit of experiance now and now the basics of how to get the best out of your plants.
You want you spray bar just below the water level facing the front of the tank, this is normally the best as the water then hits the glass goes down hits the substrate then comes back across the substrate. This should mean you dont have any dead spots in the tank but you may need a powerhead to aid in this. You want good circulation with plants to help aid them.
You want the water to not brake the surface of the water as this will release extra c02 from the water which is not good if you want the best from the plants.
I am going to say that you dont need the surface agitation to put o2 into the tank as you have a fare few plants in there (they should do this) You may want to consider removing the air stone you are running as again this will remove c02 from the water when the air bubble reach the surface and pooop

No doubt someone will be along who is in the real no to correct me