Sea Swirls- Who is using them?

[BeanMachine]

I want to use a couple of Sea Swirls on my upcoming tank. I am most likely going to have the tank drilled for only the overflow, and run the returns w/ Sea Swirls up and over the back wall. My reefer buddies have done the same, and I'm now leaning towards a canopy eventually so I'm not worried about the look of them right now.

I was thinking of going with 1" versions, just not sure if I should go for 2, or 4 for my 6 x 3 x 27" tank. I also plan to use 3 x MP40 QD that I already have.

Who is using them?

How do you have them plumbed? Example pics would be most helpful.

What size, how many, and the dimensions and gallons of your tank?

Thank you!

 

[BeanMachine]

Oh and if someone happens to have a couple of Brand New 1" Sea Swirls lying around I'd be interested in buying them.

 

[Smite]

If you need 4 that'd get pretty pricey. Would they provide better motion than a closed loop/Vectra setup that was plumb in a similar way?

 

[solitude127]

What is your return pump going to be?
I think the hardest part is trying to get a screen cover around them. Maybe have them go through holes in the Eurobrace?

 

[BeanMachine]

If you need 4 that'd get pretty pricey. Would they provide better motion than a closed loop/Vectra setup that was plumb in a similar way?

Yeah for sure. I'm not sure I want to go the closed loop route. I feel like with a canopy, and not drilling the back glass for returns, the tank will have a much cleaner look. I was thinking about getting 2x Vectra M1s for my returns for redundancy. Each with 2 Sea Swirls mounted to them.

 

[BeanMachine]

Here is a pic of @fixmgood ' s tank. Mine will be similar. Top Steel Perimeter Bracing along with Acrylic Eurobracing.

Difference is my returns will be coming from below the tank in the sump, where his tank its going out the wall from the side of the tank outside to his sump.

 

[Bouncingsoul393]

I may be out of the loop but I always heard bad things about sea swirls. I thought these were the way to go:
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/oceans-motions-4-way-oceans-motions
If anything, they will allow for a much cleaner install instead of looking at a bunch of rotating nozzles in your display.

 

[newtothis]

I may be out of the loop but I always heard bad things about sea swirls. I thought these were the way to go:
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/oceans-motions-4-way-oceans-motions
If anything, they will allow for a much cleaner install instead of looking at a bunch of rotating nozzles in your display.

I concurr. these would give you more random flow. You can get disc insert for different flow pattern. not to mention, you will only need one power outlet compared to powering up 4 sea-swirl.

 

[newtothis]

another option would be to go with the SCWD or sea- sweeps

 

[BeanMachine]

I may be out of the loop but I always heard bad things about sea swirls. I thought these were the way to go:
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/oceans-motions-4-way-oceans-motions
If anything, they will allow for a much cleaner install instead of looking at a bunch of rotating nozzles in your display.

I concurr. these would give you more random flow. You can get disc insert for different flow pattern. not to mention, you will only need one power outlet compared to powering up 4 sea-swirl.

I def don't want to use the SCWD ... but which Ocean Motion would I get? They are $500 each hehe

 

[watchguy123]

Why not maxspect gyres. They seem to provide great gyre flow. Why swirls?

 

[newtothis]

I def don't want to use the SCWD ... but which Ocean Motion would I get? They are $500 each hehe

you only need (1) unit, each unit have 4 outlet. There 4 different drums for you to choose from. Each drums have a different flow pattern. Version 2&3 looks very promising.

"Different drum versions give different flow characteristics.
Version 1 - has outlets running sequentially, (ie) 1, 2, 3 , 4, repeated.
Version 2 - will give a delayed sequence (ie) 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 1, repeated.
Version 3 - has them opposed (ie) 1 & 3, 4 & 2, repeated. (Our best selling version)
Version 4 - Designed for use with our Revolutions units. Water is sent to 3 outlets at the same time."

 

[BeanMachine]

Why not maxspect gyres. They seem to provide great gyre flow. Why swirls?

You don't see much of the outlets as they are at the top portion of the water line. They aren't as much as an eyesore as said above in my opinion. Scott [MENTION=3580]pciscott[/MENTION] uses them and you don't really even notice them.

I think coupled with some flow pumps in the tank, the flow will be nice and random.

In regards to the gyre, after owning one I was overall pleased, however I've read a number of problems with them and I'd rather not deal with that. Also the cord being visible bothered me to a certain extent.

 

[BeanMachine]

you only need (1) unit, each unit have 4 outlet. There 4 different drums for you to choose from. Each drums have a different flow pattern. Version 2&3 looks very promising.

"Different drum versions give different flow characteristics.
Version 1 - has outlets running sequentially, (ie) 1, 2, 3 , 4, repeated.
Version 2 - will give a delayed sequence (ie) 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 1, repeated.
Version 3 - has them opposed (ie) 1 & 3, 4 & 2, repeated. (Our best selling version)
Version 4 - Designed for use with our Revolutions units. Water is sent to 3 outlets at the same time."

Thanks James. I'll look into this also. So I would run a single return line into the OM, then run my 4 return line runs to various points in the tank?

 

[newtothis]

Thanks James. I'll look into this also. So I would run a single return line into the OM, then run my 4 return line runs to various points in the tank?

yep. i would place them on the 4 corners of your tank. The OM can can handle upwards of 7500GPH with no minimum, of course running at a high GPH would be a better use for them

 

[BeanMachine]

After looking into the OM 4 way, that's not what I had in mind. I like the sweeping action that the Sea Swirls provide.

 

[johnwin84]

I love sea swirls. They offer alot of random flow. My stated making noise so i turned them off

 

[johnwin84]

 

[rayray]

Ive used the small & medium ones & they were great. IMO best use was from a high flow sump to bring in new water. Swirls or Oceans Motions were the next best to dump buckets I thought.

In a closed loop you would need a strong pump. I used the mod with small tunzes attached and it was a great combo of sweep + efficency of powerheads.

 

[Oasis]

Check out the macro aqua flow swings by aquatic life. They are $20 a pop and come in a 1"! For the price I don't think they can be beat and they look sleek.... also if you decide to go with the sea swirl method...MD is will be having them at 20% off next month. Hope this helps! Peace.