sirrealism
New member
I know this is going to make me sound cheap but is there a generic sea swirl. I really like them but I really dont like that its going to cost me a grand for them on my 300g.
sea swirls
- Thread starter sirrealism
- Start date
Ted_C
Active member
I think your only choice would be to DIY them.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2029682
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2029682
sirrealism
New member
Thanks for the info but now looking at it all I might do more sea sweep style instead. Found that Fish street has a box that sweeps back and forth like a sea sweep. I just like the idea of my flow changing constantly http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_auto_motion_rotation_system
sirrealism
New member
Thanks Cuzza. Ya I need to do it on a bit larger scale. I will be using my Reeflo dart gold for return so I guess I will quite being a cheap a$$ an buy a couple sea swirls
I hear you. I saw the sea swirls on Emmett's tank. They are cool, but you don't get the kinda of turbulence that SPS love and wave makers provide. I'm going to research the Zoomed ones further to see if it would work on my returns.
sirrealism
New member
Cool let me know if you find something out
LiquidCache
New member
Isn't there metal in sprinkler heads?
Yes, but you could pull the metal out. The plastic gears are what's the key. I just wonder how much flow you would need to get it to rotate. You could probably modify it. I don't know, just an idea though.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Well I will tell you this my sea swirls are at least 7 years old never a problem. They run 24/7 and they last. U get what u pay for. If u can pick up some used ones they last a long time.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Haha, yeah, I probably should have worded that differently.
It appeared to me the flow from the SeaSwirls was very laminar. I suppose as two or more hit each other it creates random flow patterns. My point was that pulsing wave makers seems to do a better job at really mixing the water up. This was just a brief observation as his are the only ones I've seen in action.
Don't get me wrong though, Emmett's tank is ridiculous. The corals are tabling out of the water!!! I suspect he has much more than just flow dialed in, as he could win another totm.
sirrealism
New member
why do you think i was asking about them LOL was just there this weekend. His tank is fantastic
supra400hptt
Member
I use two instead of drilling my tank and I've DIYed sea sweeps. I've looked at the swirls and parts inside are strong and probably why everyone says they last forever. What sets them apart are the DC motors and I haven't been able to find them on the internet. I suspect they are being custom made. The pvc and plastic materials aren't much, but there is a significant amount of custom machining with the linkage and o-ringing the downpipe. I think they are actually worth the money, especially if you catch them on sale or with a discount.
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
sea swirls
My set up is very much like Emmett's but at a higher gallon per hour rate than his in a smaller tank. I have two 1" sea swirls on a 100G half-cylinder running on a Dart/Snapper hybrid Reeflo pump.
A lot of people forget that it isn't the direct flow from the sea swirls that make it a great choice.. It's the flow bouncing off tank walls all over the tank. I have a two month Digi-only tank and I have plenty of growth to show for it.
The sea swirls are easy to install and if you have the patience, you can get them pretty darn cheap used. Both of mine are like that.. I think I paid 150 for both, and all they required was a cleaning (One of them smelled like it was assembled in a flippin' ashtray!
).
Sea swirls are incredibly simplistic in design and functionality which is why they last so long.
My only beef with my set up is my Reeflo. It uses little wattage, but it is currently leaking.. Which is slightly annoying because I have to now replace the seal on it. Oh well.
HTH
My set up is very much like Emmett's but at a higher gallon per hour rate than his in a smaller tank. I have two 1" sea swirls on a 100G half-cylinder running on a Dart/Snapper hybrid Reeflo pump.
A lot of people forget that it isn't the direct flow from the sea swirls that make it a great choice.. It's the flow bouncing off tank walls all over the tank. I have a two month Digi-only tank and I have plenty of growth to show for it.
The sea swirls are easy to install and if you have the patience, you can get them pretty darn cheap used. Both of mine are like that.. I think I paid 150 for both, and all they required was a cleaning (One of them smelled like it was assembled in a flippin' ashtray!
). Sea swirls are incredibly simplistic in design and functionality which is why they last so long.
My only beef with my set up is my Reeflo. It uses little wattage, but it is currently leaking.. Which is slightly annoying because I have to now replace the seal on it. Oh well.
HTH
This seems to be a rather simple DIY. Most parts could be had at a hobby shop, plumbing dept. and the motor from McMaster-Carr for $24. I'd bet with a little fabrication you could build one for $50.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#synchronous-motors/=tuqyrm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1329454
http://www.mcmaster.com/#synchronous-motors/=tuqyrm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1329454
