diy seaswirl

[dahenley]

i will say from the YouTube video, you have nothing holding the tube on bottom? if you hold it, and allow the motor to turn. will it still be smooth. i know when you put resistance on it, things can change.

 

[blk94rs]

With the "lid" on and fully assembled it runs almost exactly the same. Very quiet, almost no resistance on the motor. The key is making sure everything is lined up perfectly and having the correct length of rod.

 

[dahenley]

Cool, just checking.

 

[blk94rs]

My Seaswirls have been running since Monday now! I have roughly 1300 GPH running through them.

They are both running VERY smooth, with no hesitation. The left one, however, has developed a slight hum, its the motor I did the test with for the rod and arm length so I put quite a bit of stress on it many times. I will be ordering slower motors soon (probably 2.5 rpm instead of 3 rpm), so I expect the new motor will run silent like the right hand side one.

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The back ground noise in the video is from my old tank. Its only about 10' away...The only audible noise from my new tank so far is from the vortechs.

 

[thenewone]

whats the final expense

 

[blk94rs]

Well, lets see....

3 sheets of 12"x18" 1/4" white acrylic: $45
2 3 RPM synchronous motors: $44
2 tie rods: $9
20 Stainless 1/2"x4-40 screws: $5
2 3/4"span couplings: $8
6 3/4" schedule 80 90's: $12
2 3/4" Unions: $8
1 35 watt Epilog Laser Cutter: $14,000

Materials alone came to $131. I didn't make them to really save a lot of money, I made them because I do not like the real seaswirls. I think they are way to big and bulky looking. I like mine a lot better. I also love designing and building things.

 

[Laddy]

How 'bout a follow up on performance?

 

[Galantra]

Blk94rs, That looks amazing. Maybe you should go into business making these cause your design is so compact and neat.

Any body can give me some info on where to buy some parts to create my own would like to have 4 or 5 on my 300g. Might be more cost efficent then buying Sea swirls

 

[vanillaprice]

Having a hard time finding the motor for a decent price. They all seem to be over $20. Anyone know of any around the $5-10 range?

 

[ebonline]

Having a hard time finding the motor for a decent price. They all seem to be over $20. Anyone know of any around the $5-10 range?

The ones from Mcmaster Carr are the strongest and will last the longest and are $22 each and can be bought in different RPM's.

 

[juldelf]

hi everybody
a little up on this thread
a question:
What the normal use of the PVC pipe jonction that we see on this picture
Does the plastic ring on the PVC is destroyed quickly by the friction of rotation or salt ?
Sorry for my english
thanks for your response

 

[MrRyanT]

hi everybody
a little up on this thread
a question:
What the normal use of the PVC pipe jonction that we see on this picture
Does the plastic ring on the PVC is destroyed quickly by the friction of rotation or salt ?
Sorry for my english
thanks for your response

No, it holds up quite well to both the friction and the saltwater. The ring is greased up pretty well, but I took mine out and greased it up even more with some silicone grease.

 

[juldelf]

ANd What is the normal use of the PVC pipe jonction that we see on this picture
thanks

 

[dahenley]

if im not mistaken, its considered a expansion joint. it is used on remodels and older houses where there is settling. it allows movement in the slab or soil and it wont bind or break the pvc due to the sliding o-ring.

 

[kcress]

I believe they're called:
Telescoping Couplings

and they are mainly to allow easy installation into existing fixed pipes.

Seems they would also perform as dahenley suggests.

http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=138286.9321&product=PVC-Couples-Telescoping

 

[allactiondan]

I have seen them called:
PVC span coupling / PVC span coupler

 

[sea of cortez]

Now that these have been running for a while, how have they been holding up??????

 

[sea of cortez]

Well are they still working?????

 

[bobafet1]

Well are they still working?????

+1

feedback please....was this build worth it?

 

[007Bond]

Well are they still working?????

Anyone get any feedback or PM BLK94 regarding how the swirl is working to date ?