Alternating Flow in a 26 gal?

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 02:11 PM

I notice that alot of poeple with larger tanks, have rotating powerheads and moving returns...this is done to create the current that is found in the ocean...but how would someone do this is a smaller tank? The only things i've seen that help with this is the tunzo style (but they push way too much water for a 26 gal), a power sweep ph (i had one but got stuck to often), and then there is a SQWD but im not sure that with 200 gph flowing through it would give me reason to get it...

any suggestions?

Thanks

fidojoe · 03-07-2006, 02:14 PM

The sqwd would be fine on 200gph, it would just switch a little slower. The other option is a wavemaker with some maxijet powerheads. Thats what I use.

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 02:22 PM

what if i got a wavemaker and set it up to the 2 mini-jets i have? also how much is a wavemaker?

and truely will or does it make that big of a difference i a tank when the water movement is randomized so to speek?

fidojoe · 03-07-2006, 02:24 PM

I think it makes a difference. My corals all look happier since I've added it.

Yes, a wavemaker (about $140) and a couple minijets would be fine.

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 02:33 PM

how 140 $$$$ thats alot....i think that if i get something to create a changeing flow then i will stick with an SQWD...

Dragon Wrasse · 03-07-2006, 02:59 PM

I'm with fidojoe, the wave maker in my tank makes a big differance to my softies...when I have it turned off I can tell they don't open up as much. As for the Buck and ahalf you invest ($150) its NOT alot campaired to all the other equipment you need to properly keep a Reef Tank........Pay now or pay later???

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 03:09 PM

i agree but i could by a wavemaker at 140$ or i could go to the LFS and get an SQWD for half that and it would do the same job right? i mean the 2 mini-jets are 100gph each and after my fuge/sump is setup the return will have about 200 gph when it returns to my tank...so after going through the SQWD it would end up being 100 gph each...so would this be about the same outcome?

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 03:21 PM

hey guys i just found this online...

Flow into SCWD SCWD TD Output Efficiency Switching Duration

150 gph 90 gph 60% 22 seconds
180 gph 120 gph 65% 16 seconds
240 gph 180 gph 75% 12 seconds
270 gph 210 gph 80% 10 seconds
330 gph 240 gph 80% 9 seconds
400 gph 360 gph 90% 7 seconds
600 gph 540 gph 90% 5 seconds
720 gph 660 gph 90% 4 seconds

so what would this mean for me if the return is pumping at 200 gph at the time when i reaches the SCWD and then after leaving...

although they are getting mixed reviews online from poeple that have used them...

Charlie97L · 03-07-2006, 03:46 PM

scwd are good, but they require maintenance... and can be verrrry finnicky, from what i've heard. you'd probably be in the neighborhood of 15 seconds per switch.

i'd recommend an OM squirt, but that's $$ too... another option is getting a couple of MJ 900s and getting the upgrade kit offered on RC by a few members. makes it into a Tunze Stream Type PH. I have a couple of the kits I should be getting this week, I"ll post up when I get them.

billyr98 · 03-07-2006, 03:47 PM

i don't think a scwd is for you.... I think keep the sump flow with 200gph coming in and then get a Natural Wave Timer for a couple of your mini-jets or maxijets and that will make some current in the tank. I set up a buddies of mine with a couple of powersweeps, but i think u said you had problems with them. But check out the Natural Wave Timer for like $50-60 bucks

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 10:10 PM

OK cool thanks billy! will look into it! if i got the wave timer if i have alternating flow to 2 mini jets positioned at the top of my tank, will it make a difference? i'm thinking of possibly positioning the return from the sump close to the bottom of the tank sorta pushing the water up (like Eds tank from ILC)

reefrelief · 03-07-2006, 10:27 PM

I have both a sea swirl that I am no longer using as well as a wave master that I could give you. Let me know if you are interested in either. PS they are already at the store so you do not have to wait for me to remember to bring them with me.

roadrunner1659 · 03-07-2006, 10:46 PM

Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

billyr98 · 03-08-2006, 09:42 AM

if u place your return near the bottom, make sure u test the setup when u lose power, because u will siphon all the tank back into the sump...

roadrunner1659 · 03-08-2006, 10:57 AM

what bill?

03-07-2006, 02:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? I notice that alot of poeple with larger tanks, have rotating powerheads and moving returns...this is done to create the current that is found in the ocean...but how would someone do this is a smaller tank? The only things i've seen that help with this is the tunzo style (but they push way too much water for a 26 gal), a power sweep ph (i had one but got stuck to often), and then there is a SQWD but im not sure that with 200 gph flowing through it would give me reason to get it... any suggestions? Thanks

03-07-2006, 02:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? The sqwd would be fine on 200gph, it would just switch a little slower. The other option is a wavemaker with some maxijet powerheads. Thats what I use. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

03-07-2006, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? what if i got a wavemaker and set it up to the 2 mini-jets i have? also how much is a wavemaker? and truely will or does it make that big of a difference i a tank when the water movement is randomized so to speek?

03-07-2006, 02:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? I think it makes a difference. My corals all look happier since I've added it. Yes, a wavemaker (about $140) and a couple minijets would be fine. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

03-07-2006, 02:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? how 140 $$$$ thats alot....i think that if i get something to create a changeing flow then i will stick with an SQWD...

03-07-2006, 02:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? I'm with fidojoe, the wave maker in my tank makes a big differance to my softies...when I have it turned off I can tell they don't open up as much. As for the Buck and ahalf you invest ($150) its NOT alot campaired to all the other equipment you need to properly keep a Reef Tank........Pay now or pay later??? __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

03-07-2006, 03:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? i agree but i could by a wavemaker at 140$ or i could go to the LFS and get an SQWD for half that and it would do the same job right? i mean the 2 mini-jets are 100gph each and after my fuge/sump is setup the return will have about 200 gph when it returns to my tank...so after going through the SQWD it would end up being 100 gph each...so would this be about the same outcome?

03-07-2006, 03:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? hey guys i just found this online... Flow into SCWD SCWD TD Output Efficiency Switching Duration 150 gph 90 gph 60% 22 seconds 180 gph 120 gph 65% 16 seconds 240 gph 180 gph 75% 12 seconds 270 gph 210 gph 80% 10 seconds 330 gph 240 gph 80% 9 seconds 400 gph 360 gph 90% 7 seconds 600 gph 540 gph 90% 5 seconds 720 gph 660 gph 90% 4 seconds so what would this mean for me if the return is pumping at 200 gph at the time when i reaches the SCWD and then after leaving... although they are getting mixed reviews online from poeple that have used them...

03-07-2006, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? scwd are good, but they require maintenance... and can be verrrry finnicky, from what i've heard. you'd probably be in the neighborhood of 15 seconds per switch. i'd recommend an OM squirt, but that's $$ too... another option is getting a couple of MJ 900s and getting the upgrade kit offered on RC by a few members. makes it into a Tunze Stream Type PH. I have a couple of the kits I should be getting this week, I"ll post up when I get them. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

03-07-2006, 03:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? i don't think a scwd is for you.... I think keep the sump flow with 200gph coming in and then get a Natural Wave Timer for a couple of your mini-jets or maxijets and that will make some current in the tank. I set up a buddies of mine with a couple of powersweeps, but i think u said you had problems with them. But check out the Natural Wave Timer for like $50-60 bucks

03-07-2006, 10:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? OK cool thanks billy! will look into it! if i got the wave timer if i have alternating flow to 2 mini jets positioned at the top of my tank, will it make a difference? i'm thinking of possibly positioning the return from the sump close to the bottom of the tank sorta pushing the water up (like Eds tank from ILC)

03-07-2006, 10:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
reefrelief RS Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? I have both a sea swirl that I am no longer using as well as a wave master that I could give you. Let me know if you are interested in either. PS they are already at the store so you do not have to wait for me to remember to bring them with me. __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Sponsor...vingcolor2.gif

03-07-2006, 10:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

03-08-2006, 09:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? if u place your return near the bottom, make sure u test the setup when u lose power, because u will siphon all the tank back into the sump...

03-08-2006, 10:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
roadrunner1659 Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 734 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alternating Flow in a 26 gal? what bill?

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