Anyone out there using sea sweeps / swirls

[LavenderTi]

I’m looking in to more flow for the new build. I always thought sea swirls were cool. The sea sweep seems like a great option with a powerhead. Anyone here have first hand experience with them?

[Krux]

I ran sea swirls on my closed loop system many years ago, they were basically bullet proof.  No recent experience with them as newer tanks aren't usually plumbed to accommodate them, but if you are not using a tank with fixed plumbing (up through the overflow and out through the box) it would work.

 

Not listed, but I also have used oceans motions and SCWD devices in the past.  I think these fell out of favor when DC powerheads like the Tunze Streams came about.  They didn't get you the sweeping motion, but did give you the ability to vary where the water sources came from at a time when AC pumps couldn't reliably be switched on and off.  This suffers from modern return plumbing just like the SS.

 

If you have a fixed return you might investigate the VCA random flow generator, these can attach to a return nozzle, iirc they pop right on the Loc-line.

 

If I was trying to achieve a system with seaswirls I would either knock holes in the back wall of the tank, or do an over and out plumbing system with a reliable external pump and set up a closed loop.  If you are open to a closed loop (and are not budget limited) I would also consider the new direction switching Hydro Wizard 42 Tube.  I got to handle on at Reefstock and they look really cool.

 

Hope that helps

 

Edit:  On further reflection, you could cap the return plumbing and just run your return pump up and through the swirl if you were looking to adapt your current flow and not add a new source.

 

 

Edited July 30, 2024 by Krux

[LavenderTi]

I considered trying to utilize the return plumbing. It is run through an internal overflow box. The new tank is a Cade 1500 peninsula. I was leaning more toward this:

https://sea-swirl.com/products-1/ols/products/sea-sweep-propeller-pump-oscillator

I just can't get over how expensive they are. It seems they are hand built and the demand appears to be there to support the price.

 

[Krux]

Especially when you add on the cost of a pump!  It does seem a lot easier to bring online than a closed loop or other option.  If you left the return pump detached from the overflow plumbing, you could soft plumb it to the back of the seaswirl which comes with the fittings for soft tubing inherently.  Looking at the 1500 images, I would just detach the outflow loc-line and any wave action that goes in the openings would just fall back down into the sump (maybe little fish and food as well which was why I guessed capping them might be beneficial).

 

I think it is a cool product, but it is too visually intrusive for my tastes as trying to visually obscure it would lead to the pump just blasting the back of rockwork and not projecting the flow everywhere.  If you get it up and running I would love to see it in action though, it might have promise for my next build.  Win some Powerball and do both for a compare/contrast experiment for us?

Edited July 30, 2024 by Krux

[SantaMonica]

Thanks for mentioning the Swirl... had not ever looked at it until now.

[Krux]

https://reefbuilders.com/2024/09/24/oceanseawave-brings-motion-to-the-ocean/
 

might want to check this out if you haven’t found a solution 

[LavenderTi]

1 hour ago, Krux said:

https://reefbuilders.com/2024/09/24/oceanseawave-brings-motion-to-the-ocean/
 

might want to check this out if you haven’t found a solution 

Great timing! I just came across that product while watching one of the reefing YouTubers. Is wayyyy cheaper! 

[Krux]

please let me know if you end up trying one, i think it would be a great solution for a frag tank i am working on setting up

[LavenderTi]

$320 USD so I take back my wayyyy cheaper comment. Didn't realize the dollar to pound exchange rate would be so unfavorable. Still more affordable than a sea sweep. I'll keep you posted if I pull the trigger.

[Reefsakes]

On 9/24/2024 at 9:35 PM, Krux said:

please let me know if you end up trying one, i think it would be a great solution for a frag tank i am working on setting up

Is it available in US yet?

[Krux]

6 hours ago, Reefsakes said:

Is it available in US yet?

Looks like it can be ordered directly from the company, $235 shipped without a pump so you can add your own - I have a spare nero that works with it.  More if you need it to include one.

1/3 of the cost is the shipping, maybe it will be cheaper if they get a US distributor.

[LavenderTi]

I'd hope it'd be cheaper if distributed in the US, though their closest competition charges double. For $60 in shipping, if we got 4 separate people to order it wouldn't be so painful per unit.

[Krux]

Let me do some equipment planning over the next few days and see if it will fit the tank I plan to use.  I can try to add two to a cart and see if it stays a flat fee for shipping.  We could at least consider a two person group buy unless others want in.

 

If they do not charge flat shipping that wouldn't really help.