NoobtoSalt Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 So with my new tank setup is it work investing the money on the SCWD wavemaker? Or should I just get a reef keeper and call it good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwheeler Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I just use a simple power strip that has 3 of the plugs on timers the switch my powerheads on and off to make different water currents in my tank. http://www.opentip.com/Pet-Supplies/Natural-Wave-Power-Strip-p-1105458.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 The tank I am getting has two returns and is plumbed where I could add this in fairly easy. Just wasn't sure if it was something that I should consider or just bite the bullet in the next few months and get a reef keeper finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrcrain Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 You should just do both. I use my controller for much more than flow control:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I'm not sure what you mean by a Reefkeeper but I have used SCWD's for years as "part" of my return system. I have six returns and one/two go thru a scwd 3/4" but you must have a substantial pump to keep the gph thru the scwd. For 40.00 they are a good product, I would not advise a 1" because of the size of pump needed to run one and I have one sitting in my garage if anyone wants to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 I'm not sure what you mean by a Reefkeeper but I have used SCWD's for years as "part" of my return system. I have six returns and one/two go thru a scwd 3/4" but you must have a substantial pump to keep the gph thru the scwd. For 40.00 they are a good product' date=' I would not advise a 1" because of the size of pump needed to run one and I have one sitting in my garage if anyone wants to try it.[/quote'] I might take you up on that offer on the 1". The pump should be enough to run it but I will know more in the next few days. Reef Keeper was only meant as an alternative wavemaker. I currently have my powerheads running 24hrs a day no cycle to shut on/off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Yeah, let me know you can buy it cheap. I have a Pan world 100px-x running a 3/4' scwd (thru chiller) but you would need double or more pump to run a 1" scwd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jesse your return pump is 2400gph at 7' of head running through a 1" line, fyi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jesse your return pump is 2400gph at 7' of head running through a 1" line' date=' fyi.[/quote'] As long as you know what that means...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 it basically means you can have a 7' long 1" line running strait up from the pump and you will have 2400gph coming out of it. once you go longer than 7' you start losing flow due to the pressure on the pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jesse your return pump is 2400gph at 7' of head running through a 1" line' date=' fyi.[/quote'] If that's the pump you have it won't run a 1" scwd by itself or split into two returns lines with the scwd but it will run a 3/4" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 If that's the pump you have it won't run a 1" scwd by itself or split into two returns lines with the scwd but it will run a 3/4" I thought the 1" was rated from 500gph-3500gph, is there something special a 1" needs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrcrain Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I think that means you could fill you tank 20 times an hour with a pipe 1 foot over your head. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I think we have been thru this before, no disrespect intended, but i have these and a 1"scwd will not even turn with a mag12 (at 5') I tried a mag18 and it would at least cycle thru but very slowly 1-2 minutes to rotate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I think we have been thru this before' date=' no disrespect intended, but i have these and a 1"scwd will not even turn with a mag12 (at 5') I tried a mag18 and it would at least cycle thru but very slowly 1-2 minutes to rotate[/quote'] no problem, just odd that the manufacturer states that, but experience always tells the tale. Jesse i also have a 3/4" laying around if you want to try it on the system, you would just need to convert the line to 3/4" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm interested in the SQWD too. My new system will have an Ecoplus 1267 pump (1267 gpm, around 950 at 5'). I'd like the 1" only because it seems more robust, but Smann has experience that shows my pump wouldn't do the trick. Is it worth trying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm interested in the SQWD too. My new system will have an Ecoplus 1267 pump (1267 gpm' date=' around 950 at 5'). I'd like the 1" only because it seems more robust, but Smann has experience that shows my pump wouldn't do the trick. Is it worth trying?[/quote'] No. A Mag 18 (1200 GPH or so at 5') does a decent job of running a 3/4". (I had one hooked up for a couple of days) I wouldn't even try to run a 1" with it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 So Rick, what do you have in your system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 So Rick' date=' what do you have in your system?[/quote'] I just run the Mag 18 with a couple of power heads. My outlets are too close together (center overflow) to really get much benefit from the SCWD so I took it back off since it was robbing some of the flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 No.... I had two brand new ones and the only lasted me about a year and half each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 No.... I had two brand new ones and the only lasted me about a year and half each. What caused them to not last? Aren't they a manual type valve? I decided against this option anyways but was curious what caused them to break? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electrokate Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Scwds are great on mid size tanks, super large tanks will probably need more engineering. Just make sure snails can't get through the plumbing from the sump. Somehow one made it past the impeller in my mag 12 and broke the scwd. I love this particular small snail that breeds in the tank, but it's offspring kinda get all over the place and crawl into pumps (silky tegula snails from Reeftopia). Anything small and hard is dangerous, the plastic gears in the scwd can be smashed by debris carried by 1200gph pumps. On the other hand you should screen to protect your pump/impeller, and the scwd I bought to replace it is awesome. I prefer it over wavemakers, as the fewer submerged electrical devices I have to worry about the better. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 along the same idea i use a ocean motions 4 way. This is an electronic device that slowly turns to four different outputs. I have it hard plumbed to a dart pump for my 120g as part of a closed loop. Here is there webpage if you want to check it out http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=8e33398fafbd6ceec6c3261ec019ca8b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Scwds are great on mid size tanks, super large tanks will probably need more engineering. Just make sure snails can't get through the plumbing from the sump. Somehow one made it past the impeller in my mag 12 and broke the scwd. I love this particular small snail that breeds in the tank, but it's offspring kinda get all over the place and crawl into pumps (silky tegula snails from Reeftopia). Anything small and hard is dangerous, the plastic gears in the scwd can be smashed by debris carried by 1200gph pumps. On the other hand you should screen to protect your pump/impeller, and the scwd I bought to replace it is awesome. I prefer it over wavemakers, as the fewer submerged electrical devices I have to worry about the better. Kate Kate, what model (3/4 or 1") SCWD do you run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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