$7.00 Surge Device

[Ah64av8tor]

I have made a homemade rotating head from a garden sprinkler and PVC elbows. It has been working great for over 6 months, it makes nice wave action for about 1/20 of the cost of a sea swerl. The instructions are at my link under setup then DIY, check it out and tell me if the instructions are easy enough to follow or do I need to go more indepth.

 

[nuff2000]

Ah64av8tor,

Just what I've been looking for....

my machine would not show the pic that is next to the title for that project, so have not seen a completed photo, any chance you could send one? This is suspended in the center of the water column, near the surface correct? It rotates 360 degrees, right?

thanks
david

 

[Ah64av8tor]

That pic is a mpg showing it rotating and I cant get to work right,click on DYI next to the pic and see the steps. IT is suspended from the center brace, and is about 2" from the surface correct. Yes it rotates 360 degrees. Send one? Yea send me an E-mail.

 

[Psyduck]

Looks neat but I dont have a torch to heat it with. I couldnt really follow why that was necessary anyways, but good idea though.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

You have to heat PVC pipe with torch or stove ot bend it so you have a jet that exits the pipe at 45 degrees to push it through the water.

 

[SciGuy2]

Greg,

I looked at your website last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a refreshing approach to Reef tanks. I'm an ardent DIY'er and I think I'll be visiting Lowes tomorrow to pick up a lawn sprinkler to destroy.

I too had troubles displaying the first pic. Also, I had a bit of trouble following what part you are gluing what, but I think I have the general idea. Otherwise, a real good job at a unique DIY project.

Thanks,
-Lee

 

[billsreef]

Looks good

One sugestion, how about using a 45' elbow instead of bending the pipe

 

[Psyduck]

Thats what I was wondering too, why not just use a 45 elbow. Would be a whole lot easier than torching it .

 

[Ah64av8tor]

On the sugestion of using a 45' elbow instead of bending the pipe, there is alot of drag on the elbow and it takes more pressure to push the added mass through the water. the Idea is to get rotation with out the loss of to much pressure.

Since the elbows cost about 20 cents and the pipe is scraps, and I just have just enough pressure. I use the pipe. Its a trade off you can use the 45 if you have to much pressure.
I still think that if you bought a propane torch and a Dremel tool the total for the DIY would be less than the Sea swerl.

Ill fix the part about what you are gluing what, thanks. Glue the 3/8" PVC pipe to the (short side) Sprinkler then to the 90 elbow, glue the (long side) Sprinkler into the other 90 elbow. Be carefull NOT to get glue on the bushings!!

 

[Ah64av8tor]

sorry double post

[Edited by Ah64av8tor on 03-19-2001 at 09:32 AM]

 

[Agu]

This was being done a while back and one person got lawn sprinkler rotators made for aquariums from the manufacturer.They were called "Hunter Reef Rotors"as I recall, but I can't find the url. There were two things to be careful about when using lawn sprinklers. Some of them have internal metal springs that can rust. Also, some are treated with a fungicide to prevent a buildup of mold.



fwiw,
Agu

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Agu
Thanks for the warning, the sprinkler that I use is ABS plastic with a rubber O ring a teflon bushing and two nylon bushings (I took one apart first)
At $4.97 retail probably $2.00 wholesale, I wouldn't think they are using a fungicide to prevent a buildup of mold. If it stops working you can afford to through it away and get a new one.

 

[Bishop]

I used to use them in my 150 for a very long time.. the problem I had with them was that in order to spin them they require a lot of pump power so 2 of them on my iwaki 70RLT would spin, but after about a year they required a lot of maint. to keep them running.

www.tanked.com sells ones that have sprinkler heads that were manufactured without the lithium grease.

 

[nuff2000]

At the total cost of the device, it would not add an appreciable amount to the total cost of the hobby for anyone.

They could be replaced yearly if necessary. Costs more than that to even think of replacing one of the bulbs we use!

Anyone nearby Central Illinois wants one of these, let me know, I would be more than willing to put one together for them, no charge. Just supply the parts.

david

 

[grif]

I bought one last night and was looking at it and began wondering:

Before you totally disassemble the unit, what if you just clipped off two of the 3 original sprayers from the sprinkler, filled them in w/ epoxy, opened up the remaining 'output' somewhat and ran it that way, rather than the PVC solution? Seems as though it would work just as well. Obviously you'd still remove the stand the thing comes on.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Grif,
I cut off the ends (you need the bent end for thrust)and there is a hole in the center that needs to be filled too. It worked ok, but I didnt get the rocking (wave)from moving alot of water it just had 3 jets blasting. Then I heated 2 arms and pinched them off with a pair of side cutters, it just went faster.

 

[grif]

aviator - I see where crimping off the other ends would reduce the overall mass and allow a faster spin rate, but if you cut the 3-holed end off the remaining 'arm' wouldn't you get a single stream rather than the three you mention?

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Things that make you go HUM!!! Thats why I love this Hobby! Yes you would get only 1 jet blasting, but the water will follow the course of least resistance, if you dont close off the other 2 arms the thrust wouldnt be ther for rotation.

 

[grif]

absolutely, you have to cut and seal the other two 'arms'. But then it seems you've got the equivilant to what you made, but w/o all the pvc'ing.

yes/no?

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Yes, But you only want enough thrust to rotate it. You want volume to push as much water out of the way starting a rocking motion and then the flow of water just keeps the rocking going. If you keep the jet small (restriction will give you more pressure)you get a blasting on your corals every second, not a back and forth swaying of every thing in the tank.