Fly Sparging with PVC hose

[chivelegs]

HI All.

Does anyone here fly sparge through a perforated PVC hose which sits on top of the grain bed? If so, I'd appreciate some input.
I'm most of the way through putting together a 'set and forget' fly sparging system with a float valve
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=54017

and need a way to distribute the sparge water evenly.

How large and how spaced out do the drilled holes need to be and how did you seal the end of the tube to prevent all the water simply coming out the end?

I am channelling the spirit of Heath Robinson on this, I know; but your experiences would be most helpful.

[Kev888]

You only really need the one at the end - if you lay it flat and keep say an inch of liquor over the grains the liquor comes in horizontally and mingles, rather than drilling into the bed. You can have more holes but it doesn't really make a big difference, though if you do then try to make them horizontal not vertical if the hose is sitting on the grain. Theres a youtube vid of the blichmann version of your float setup here that could be of interest; I'm sure I've seen one of it in action too, but I can't find it now.

If you prefer to sparge with the liquor not covering the grain then its much more important; then I'd say have as many as possible (and ideally a spinning arm). Its difficult to say how many or what size though as its all down to the flow rate you yourself get; the best way really is to experiment. Too few/small and you restrict it too much, too many/big and the liquor may not make it to the end of your holey pipe.

Cheers,
Kev

[chivelegs]

Cheers Kev.
Now to find a food-safe float. According to this, it's just insulation foam, but there is some debate as to how food safe this stuff is.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/auto-sp ... al-180873/

Until I find something along these lines that is food safe, I think I'll just suspend the end with fishing line at the correct height

[darkonnis]

In wolfy's build post he uses a tube that just rests in a steel desh preventing the water from boring a hole etc, really does seem like a good idea to me if you're after a super simple solution.

[chivelegs]

Ah, you mean this one!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=52640&hilit=wolfy#p553314

Looks just the job, and sadly I should have checked on here before going ahead with today's brew!