diy seaswirl
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slug
New member
swirler-stein
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=799971
Yeah mine will be hooked up to my return I will take more pictures once it's running. The motor seems a little small, but it is able to move it so far.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=799971
Yeah mine will be hooked up to my return I will take more pictures once it's running. The motor seems a little small, but it is able to move it so far.
JaredWaites
Premium Member
What was the total cost of the build?
slug
New member
gearmotor $3.99 http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008021812031614&item=5-1563-C&catname=electric
I'll have to run this a while and see how it holds up.
Span coupling was around $8. They sell cheaper ones at Menard's but those only have a single o-ring. The two o-ring version was from a True Value hardware store.
Spent another $1.50 on two pvc elbows and a coupling.
I got the pvc sheet used to make the box from the scrap bin at work. Putting the whole thing in a pre-constructed box like has been used in the swirler-steins would make it easier to build and cost you another $10 approx.
I'll have to run this a while and see how it holds up.
Span coupling was around $8. They sell cheaper ones at Menard's but those only have a single o-ring. The two o-ring version was from a True Value hardware store.
Spent another $1.50 on two pvc elbows and a coupling.
I got the pvc sheet used to make the box from the scrap bin at work. Putting the whole thing in a pre-constructed box like has been used in the swirler-steins would make it easier to build and cost you another $10 approx.
reefnewbie54321
In Memoriam
what are you going to be using for grease. I built one but I am looking for a oring lubricant that is not as messy as the black stuff seaswirl uses. I plan on building a second one using a dc motor with a gear box and a potentiometer and when I do I will use your design. IT is alot simpler then trying to exactly replicate the sea swirl as I did. Great post .... you should try and get a video up
slug
New member
I'm using high vacuum grease.
I know the things a little ugly but it seems to be working.
The span couplings come in larger sizes. I'm going to make two 1.5 inchers for my closed loop. I wouldn't try to use the same gearmotor on a larger one, it would probably burn out fast. I have some nice geared steppers and a controller but I think it would be overkill, a stepper controlled seaswirl could be fun though
I know the things a little ugly but it seems to be working.
The span couplings come in larger sizes. I'm going to make two 1.5 inchers for my closed loop. I wouldn't try to use the same gearmotor on a larger one, it would probably burn out fast. I have some nice geared steppers and a controller but I think it would be overkill, a stepper controlled seaswirl could be fun though
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jlaudiofreak
Member
Maybe I am not quit following this. How does the bottom have move side to side. I understand the motor but not the Pvc. Can you please explain
slug
New member
The third picture is upside down... this is the top piece:
It doesn't move and this is where the water from your pump enters.
The bottom piece that rotates is the two pieces circled in red screwed together and cut off at the green line:
You can cut it off where ever but you need to leave enough on to be a little over the top of the second o-ring when you fit it over the top stationary piece.
It doesn't move and this is where the water from your pump enters.
The bottom piece that rotates is the two pieces circled in red screwed together and cut off at the green line:
You can cut it off where ever but you need to leave enough on to be a little over the top of the second o-ring when you fit it over the top stationary piece.
jlaudiofreak
Member
AWW I get it now . Thats alot
slug,
I went to HD and bought the span coupling and other fiitings needed.
I noticed that the O-rings where already lubricated with some clear sort of grease ... is this ok? will water come in contact with this and will it be reef-safe?
Next thing i did was cut the male piece as indicated by the green line on the pic above. Now i slipped the piece with the 2 O-rings in there. This piece is now able to pop out though if i pull it since we cut the piece that had the lip that would secure it. I noticed some gray material in the area i am refering to in your pictures ... what is this, it seems to be what i am missing?
And finally what are yo using as an arm to connect the motor to pvc?
Thanks, and great job on this
I went to HD and bought the span coupling and other fiitings needed.
I noticed that the O-rings where already lubricated with some clear sort of grease ... is this ok? will water come in contact with this and will it be reef-safe?
Next thing i did was cut the male piece as indicated by the green line on the pic above. Now i slipped the piece with the 2 O-rings in there. This piece is now able to pop out though if i pull it since we cut the piece that had the lip that would secure it. I noticed some gray material in the area i am refering to in your pictures ... what is this, it seems to be what i am missing?
And finally
what are yo using as an arm to connect the motor to pvc?Thanks, and great job on this
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
That is awesome!!!!!
Couple of questions:
What kind of GPH are you putting through these?
Is the fan-like noise on the video from this project, or from something else?
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Couple of questions:
What kind of GPH are you putting through these?
Is the fan-like noise on the video from this project, or from something else?
Thanks for sharing this with us!
slug
New member
Mine came with some type of grease on the o-rings as well which I didn't remove, but I can't say whether it's reef safe or not.
The gray piece is an electrical pcv coupling that isn't really needed but I added it for stability. It helps make the connection to the top and the tube with the 2 o-rings stronger.
To connect the motor and the pvc I used a bent piece of welding rod.
I'm running my mak4 return pump through it which is 1100gph I think.
The noise is a fan and there is a clicking noise which is the motor on this thing. I'm not sure if I have a bad motor or or I am just pushing it too hard.
The gray piece is an electrical pcv coupling that isn't really needed but I added it for stability. It helps make the connection to the top and the tube with the 2 o-rings stronger.
To connect the motor and the pvc I used a bent piece of welding rod.
I'm running my mak4 return pump through it which is 1100gph I think.
The noise is a fan and there is a clicking noise which is the motor on this thing. I'm not sure if I have a bad motor or or I am just pushing it too hard.
slug
New member
Took it apart yesterday to check the o-rings. I took another picture of how it goes together and made a video of how the innards work. It isn't as loud as the video makes it seems. It's not very loud at all but I was in a quiet room and the mic seemed to really pic it up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL1nXY0YFDg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL1nXY0YFDg
theimpulsive1
New member
cool. how is it working for ya
slug
New member
It's working well. Even though I feel this motor is under powered it doesn't get hot. It was audible though, not really loud like the video may make it seem. After I took it apart a few days ago to check the seals I greased them up better than I had the first time and it is running smoother now. You can't hear it over the sound of splashing water.
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