SCWD Modification: A Colorful Guide

[TROLL]

I got a SCWD as a part of bulk buy from someone. Unfortunately, it was already altered to fit hose for his tank which he removed two of the ends. This won't allow for me to attach hose properly and would need to use metal cable to hold it.

 

After I read Melev's page about his SCWD modification. I decided to try it myself and work around the damaged ends.

 

First, I tried to fit PVC (schedule 80) on it but It wouldn't fit because it is slightly smaller. I looked around and found gray Lasco pipe- 1 x 3/4 hose fitting- it fits on just right!

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Recipe:

 

2 x 1" hose fitting with threaded end (Gray Lasco)

 

1 x 1" x 3/4" hose fitting (Gray Lasco)

 

2 x 1" double threaded connector

 

4 x 3/4" elbow with threaded inside on one end

 

2 x 3/4" elbow with threaded outside on one end

 

2 x 3/4" elbow with 1/2 threaded on other end

 

2 x 10" 1" lasco double threaded end pipe (called nipples, lol)

 

2 x 4" pieces of 3/4" PVC pipes

 

2 x 10" pieces of 3/4" PVC pipes

 

Teflon tape and PVC cement

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Close up of the ending on SCWD- Either cut off the hose barb or shave off with X-Acto knife

 

Perfect fit!

Use PVC cement to glue the connection.

 

The SCWD after modification should look like this.

 

Assemble the pipes to run from SCWD to vertical pipes for output.

 

Fitting of lower pipes and SWCD. Also, you can see the hang on part on upper left which will be on the output pipe. (As seen in third photo below)

 

The output pipes put together with lower pipes from SCWD.

 

Attach the output front section to the output pipes

 

Final assemble of output pipes- Notice the front end is 3/4" x 1/2" threaded elbow for attaching nozzles.

 

Finished product with 1/2" nozzles

 

There's always an option of using threaded end hose fitting on the lower part of SCWD if you're planning on to have PVC pipes to connect to output port from the pump. I just use hose to attach the lower part instead of pipes but I may go with PVC output pipe in the future, anyway.

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This was my first work for 30g cube, I've done 2nd for 120g with different output- using drilled PVC pipes to stimulate long waves instead of short bursts.

 

Photo shows silicon, which was the first run and proven to hold well for a bit till excessive handling and the seal breaks- went with PVC cement on 2nd run and works well!

[jason the filter freak]

Perhaps a dumb question here, but after putting the barbed fittings on the scqd, why didn't you just run hose to your lock line 90 degree fittings... cut a single 90 degree bend out (PVC elbow...) dramatically increase flow... cheaper? I'm planning on doing a set up using two of the scwds and I was going to use hose bad yes/no.. input

[TROLL]

I could always go that way but the hose tends to bend and get tangled with all other flexible cords. Bending of hose has often made it difficult to keep the loc-line to stay in the place, they'll slide around and lean, it won't allow for you to keep the flow in same spot.

 

PVC I'm using does not inhibit the flow, it works the same as hose. The inside diameter of PVC pipes are larger than the inside diameter of output ports on SCWD so the reducing the flow is not the problem. Also, I have much tidy space to work around in the back.

 

It isn't much cheaper, tho... Hose runs for about $1 per foot and the whole project cost me about $7.