Return water in RR aquarium...

[lanman]

Okay - I am getting closer to the 'big move' from my 45 to 58-gallon tank. I plan to have 1" overflow into a sump, and use the 3/4" hole in the overflow for return water. I have a bulkhead fitting, and some 3/4" pipe -and I thought I would make a 'T' at the top, and hook two nozzles of some sort up to it.

 

It was suggested to me that I get a SCWD - Squid - Wavemaker instead - and alternate the flow between one side of the tank and the other. http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_wavema...uid.asp?CartId=

 

So two questions.

 

1) Is a SCWD a good idea?

 

2) What are the pieces called that you would hook to the outputs of the SCWD?

 

Thanks,

bob

[fry_school101]

Okay - I am getting closer to the 'big move' from my 45 to 58-gallon tank. I plan to have 1" overflow into a sump, and use the 3/4" hole in the overflow for return water. I have a bulkhead fitting, and some 3/4" pipe -and I thought I would make a 'T' at the top, and hook two nozzles of some sort up to it.

 

It was suggested to me that I get a SCWD - Squid - Wavemaker instead - and alternate the flow between one side of the tank and the other. http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_wavema...uid.asp?CartId=

 

So two questions.

 

1) Is a SCWD a good idea?

 

2) What are the pieces called that you would hook to the outputs of the SCWD?

 

Thanks,

bob

 

 

fyi, items in your shopping cart are set with cookies so we can't see what the link refers to. try browsing to the page and using that url.

 

NM - sorry something was up with my browser. link is fine.

Edited April 19, 2007 by fry_school101

[jamesbuf]

SQWDs are ok, just make sure to use a sponge prefilter on the pump that feeds the sqwd so it doesn't get all gunked up inside

 

forgot to mention, I use these for my outputs of the sqwd.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT0001

[lanman]

SQWDs are ok, just make sure to use a sponge prefilter on the pump that feeds the sqwd so it doesn't get all gunked up inside

 

forgot to mention, I use these for my outputs of the sqwd.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT0001

 

*Shudder* ... why did they have to call it a U-tube! Speaking of which - it's time to go knock the bubbles out of mine.

 

Thanks for the link!

 

bob

 

SQWDs are ok, just make sure to use a sponge prefilter on the pump that feeds the sqwd so it doesn't get all gunked up inside

 

forgot to mention, I use these for my outputs of the sqwd.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT0001

 

Other suggestions?? I would prefer to use the return through the overflow - but I'm not religious about it. Just that my current tank has so much JUNK hanging on it - I want to make the new one clean looking. (overflow box, HOB skimmer, frag rack, return jet, powerheads.)

 

bob

[Rascal]

If you have a canopy, you bring your return plumbing over the top of your tank and then stick the outlets of the scwd in the tank with nothing attached. This would be my recommendation. I have tried glueing locline fittings onto the outlets but they never held for very long.

 

If you want to run your return through a bulkhead, you could still have the scwd in the tank but i wouldn't recommend it because it is so big. Another option would be to use 2 bulkheads, and have the scwd outside of the tank, with one of the outlets going to each bulkhead. They are really made to use vinyl tubing, so you will need hosebarb fittings on the bulkheads, and don't forget the hose-barb clamps! A smear of silicone helps prevent leaks too.

 

If the scwds had threaded fittings, so you could incorporate union ball valves into your plumbing, they would be much easier to work with. For the life of me I can't figure out why they never came out with this simple modification (or the 1 inch size, for that metter).

 

One thing to keep in mind with the scwd is that sooner or later, you WILL have to take it offline to clean it. When the gears get something in them they stop turning and the flow gets stuck on one side. This is what makes it tricky to plumb it pump - scwd - bulkheads. When you take the scwd off (or if it leaks), the water will drain down to your bulkheads.

[lanman]

If you have a canopy, you bring your return plumbing over the top of your tank and then stick the outlets of the scwd in the tank with nothing attached. This would be my recommendation. I have tried glueing locline fittings onto the outlets but they never held for very long.

 

If you want to run your return through a bulkhead, you could still have the scwd in the tank but i wouldn't recommend it because it is so big. Another option would be to use 2 bulkheads, and have the scwd outside of the tank, with one of the outlets going to each bulkhead. They are really made to use vinyl tubing, so you will need hosebarb fittings on the bulkheads, and don't forget the hose-barb clamps! A smear of silicone helps prevent leaks too.

 

If the scwds had threaded fittings, so you could incorporate union ball valves into your plumbing, they would be much easier to work with. For the life of me I can't figure out why they never came out with this simple modification (or the 1 inch size, for that metter).

 

One thing to keep in mind with the scwd is that sooner or later, you WILL have to take it offline to clean it. When the gears get something in them they stop turning and the flow gets stuck on one side. This is what makes it tricky to plumb it pump - scwd - bulkheads. When you take the scwd off (or if it leaks), the water will drain down to your bulkheads.

 

Perhaps I would be better off with a Wavyseas or something like that?? If all that shows IN the tank is the outlet tube, that wouldn't be bad.

 

What other brands of 'moving flow' devices are there?

 

Edit: Egads! $250 for Wavyseas - is there a less expensive version of the same thing??

 

bob

Edited April 20, 2007 by lanman

[Rascal]

Somewhere on the list of top 10 things I wish I had on my tank . . . http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/product...a51628feb74c5b3

[lanman]

Somewhere on the list of top 10 things I wish I had on my tank . . . http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/product...a51628feb74c5b3

 

Well, call me a fool (the type who is soon parted from his money), but I went ahead and bought a Wavyseas, even though it's just a 58-gallon tank. Who knows, maybe one day I'll have a 125, and be running 1000 GPH through it instead of 500.

 

Tomorrow I will be picking up an MJ with a mod kit for the other corner of the tank. That ought to move things around in there really well. So yes - I will be running my return 'external' to the overflow. So now I will have a backup overflow.

 

bob

[jamesbuf]

You'll be happy with the wavysea. The oceanmotions are good too, but the wavysea is soo much easier to plumb.

[Guest beatle]

One thing to keep in mind with the scwd is that sooner or later, you WILL have to take it offline to clean it. When the gears get something in them they stop turning and the flow gets stuck on one side. This is what makes it tricky to plumb it pump - scwd - bulkheads. When you take the scwd off (or if it leaks), the water will drain down to your bulkheads.

 

Why not just put a couple gate or ball valves on each return line after the SCWD. Close them when you're ready to do your maintenance.