the swirler-stein

[smells like fish]

shookbrad - check the link from page 9(on this thread) about the diy seaswirls. I want to build one too, but it does look a little more difficult. Keep us updated with your project.

Hahnmeister - nice to see you back. I copied my swirl-stein from your pictures. I think the bigger your tank, the less of an eyesore the moving powerhead is, but it is still an eyesore.

I painted the rotating pvc black to match the background, but the greyish black of the MJ900 still sticks out. The black color of my old MJ1000 blends better with the background. I wish the MJ makers stuck with that color.

I thought about glueing starpolyps or encrusting gorgonian on top of the powerhead, basically any wavy fast spreading soft corals to hide the ph.

 

[dhnguyen]

What's to stop you from painting the entire MJ pump in Krylon Fusion black?

 

[jcarrara]

How can you knock having a diy swirl-stein/maxi-jet combo goin in your tank!?!?!?....IMHO......just gives you "braggin rights" to all those who ask!!

Peace Out

John

 

[shookbrad]

I stopped by the local Sims Plastic store on the way home from work to see if any kind of pivoting connection existed in PVC. Much to my surprise their is. It is called a Swing Joint. Basically it is a straight thread (meaning no taper) fitting made from HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene). This material does not have the friction standard PVC does. It has an o-ring on the top of the Threads to help keep the seal. They are designed for large industrial sprinkler systems so when tractors drive over them they swivel out of the way. So my plan is to pick some up at HD tomorrow and see what I can come up with.
So far I have found 1/2" and 3/4" but no 1". If anyone can find one please let me know. I can have sims order one for me but the price is kind of high.

 

[shookbrad]

Ok, Here is a good link to what a swing joint is. http://www.rainbird.com/landscape/products/rotors/tsjseries.htm

 

[chalowolf]

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/pages/diy_rotating_return.htm

Check this out guys! Alot of info and specs. EOM motor is an AutoTrol 150!

 

[hahnmeister]

chalowolf, on page 10 I posted this link for Sea Swirl OEM motors as well...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=831585

It seems that the Auto Trol arent the only OEM solutions.

 

[smells like fish]

shookbrad - Thanks for the info on the swing joint.

 

[smells like fish]

I don't how other people are attaching the MJ to the swirler-stein, but this is how I am doing it.

I'm using 1/2" pvc for the rotating tube and I slip on a 1/2" elbow. I then glued to the elbow, the small square part that comes packaged with the MJ. Now I can easily slide the MJ on or off. This works for unmodded MJs.

For the MJ, stream I just used a 1/2" coupler instead. Unlike an unmodded MJ, the small square part has to be also glued to the back of the MJ stream, because of the angle and direction the MJstream is mounted. If it is not glued on, the MJ will go flying off when you turn it on.

 

[rick17]

can someone help me i bought a 3/4 pvc coupling and a piece of 1/2 pvc tube (all sch40) is there suppost to be a lot of slack or will the down tube fit better whit sch80 what are you guys using
thanks rick17

 

[dhnguyen]

Um... Shouldn't you be using 1/2 coupling with the 1/2 pvc pipe? The couplings are made specifically to slip over the pvc pipe size they are rated for.


D.

 

[Rainer Feyer]

Unbelievably great threat!

have been reading entries and am very excited to enter the Swirl club!

Did order the motors already and will look for a suitable electrical box at Lowe's Saturday.

Question: I see some pictures having the top of the electrical box closed. Great for water entry protection, but won't it add tot he heat factor?

 

[smells like fish]

To vent heat, I just drilled a lot of small holes in the lid.

I made two swirlers, but if I had to do it all over again, I think I would buy a larger box. I used the Lowe's box, but it is a tight squeeze in there.

 

[Rainer Feyer]

Thanks for the reply - I will do as you did and drill drain and airation holes.

I am going to try an electrical store and see if they have any boxes bigger. Actually, using plexy should OK too, but would probably warp like crazy!

 

[em805]

Has anyone made one of these gizmos to utilize your return pump flow? If so some pictures and diagrams would be awsome.

 

[hahnmeister]

not in this thread.

 

[smells like fish]

Has anyone made one of these gizmos to utilize your return pump flow? If so some pictures and diagrams would be awsome.

This is from page 9 from this thread. diy seaswirl

The biggest problem of a DIY seaswirl is the rotating elbow part(swing joint). The guy who made the webpage, made his own, but if you scroll back up on this page, shookbrad had a link to a commerciallly available swing joint. I don't know if he was able to use that swing joint however.

 

[hahnmeister]

There is an actual part that is made for the 'swing-joint' piece...its not something you even have to DIY. Forget what its called...seen it in another one of those DIY sea-swirl threads here.

 

[marine_freak]

I got to give you guys props your creations are a work of genius on a budget.... I would like to purchase two of these from someone who will build them for me..... PM me if you are interested guys....... Oh I would do it myself but with my practice it is hard for me to find the time.

 

[Rainer Feyer]

marine_freak

all of us have 'practices' of one type or another - the beauty of the beast is to conquer the DIY project - why not give it a try?