Sea Swirls or Wave Maker?
- Thread starter ondria
- Start date
IMO, it really depends on how you want to set-up tank circulation. If the amount of water running through your sump is sufficient, then using sea swirls is probably the best way to go. If it is not, then adding wave makers may be the better option.
For example, in my new tank that is still in the design phase, I plan to use my current sump and return pumps. However, because the new tank will be larger than the old tank, the total tank circulation will not be enough for my sps. Therefore, additional power heads on a wavemaker will allow me to increase circulation without trying to drive too much water through the sump. This is also advantageous because I plan to have all of the returns from the sump exit at mid-height behind the rocks. The extra power heads on the wavemaker will supply all of the circulation for the top half of the tank.
For example, in my new tank that is still in the design phase, I plan to use my current sump and return pumps. However, because the new tank will be larger than the old tank, the total tank circulation will not be enough for my sps. Therefore, additional power heads on a wavemaker will allow me to increase circulation without trying to drive too much water through the sump. This is also advantageous because I plan to have all of the returns from the sump exit at mid-height behind the rocks. The extra power heads on the wavemaker will supply all of the circulation for the top half of the tank.
I am a total newbie at this, so maybe someone can help me with this. I figure the sea swirl can run from the return on my sump. Where do I suck the water from for additional pumps for the wavemaker...
Boy there is a lot to learn to do it right. You should see the binder I am keeping to figure this all out!
Thank you!
-Ondria
Boy there is a lot to learn to do it right. You should see the binder I am keeping to figure this all out!
Thank you!
-Ondria
It really depends on your setup and what types of corals you are thinking about keeping. On my 125, I have two seaswirls and 4 powerheads on a wavemaker. Gives alot of random movement to the tank. This tank is most for SPS and some softies. If you are only going to keep lagoon type corals, this would probably be overkill. Think about what type of reef tank you are going to put together, and then simulate that type of enviroment. Too often aquarists try to put together and generalists tank that really doesnt work great for any type of coral.
I used a wave-strip for a few years and liked it. The only bad thing is seeing the pumps in the tank. I still have it and may hook it up again. I now use two 1" Sea Swirls on a closed loop with an Amp Master 3000. This pretty much does the job for me and looks real clean in the tank. You would probably be better off using the SS's on a closed loop and running a slower pump for sump return.
Before I got started there were a few things I new I would not have, one was power heads in the tank. I use sea swirls run off an Amp master 3000 like was mentioned above. The reasons I would not go with power heads:
1. A tank with these looks very unnatural to me, looks more like a science project.
2. Heat
3. Maintenance
4. The possibility to kill some of the creatures we keep by sucking them in.
5. Stray voltage
Steve
1. A tank with these looks very unnatural to me, looks more like a science project.
2. Heat
3. Maintenance
4. The possibility to kill some of the creatures we keep by sucking them in.
5. Stray voltage
Steve
Hi
I have been thinking about adding Seaswirls to my 90 glass.
golfish - you mentioned closed loop - does this mean they draw their water from the main tank and not the sump? Where is the best placement for this?
To install Seaswirls, you have to drill the top of the tank, right? I have a Berlin style tank custom from Leemar that has a glass border around the entire top.
Regards,
Kris
I have been thinking about adding Seaswirls to my 90 glass.
golfish - you mentioned closed loop - does this mean they draw their water from the main tank and not the sump? Where is the best placement for this?
To install Seaswirls, you have to drill the top of the tank, right? I have a Berlin style tank custom from Leemar that has a glass border around the entire top.
Regards,
Kris
A closed loop does indeed draw water from the tank, straight into a pump and then out through the Sea Swirl. Closed loops are great becvause you need need to worry about a sump overflowing etc.
BerlinMethod, I assume you have the Euro line of Leemar tanks, those are SWEET. You can have the top brace on your Leemar tank drilled, I am quite sure of this because I was looking into these tanks and an option from the manufacturer was holes drilled on top.
HTH
[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: Emperator ]
BerlinMethod, I assume you have the Euro line of Leemar tanks, those are SWEET. You can have the top brace on your Leemar tank drilled, I am quite sure of this because I was looking into these tanks and an option from the manufacturer was holes drilled on top.
HTH
[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: Emperator ]
Just wondering......Im thinking of upgradeing my return pupm on my 75G from a mag 750 to a mag 950 or 1200.I have three power heads in the tank right now for circulation,If i was to get the sea swirls 1:which one should i get 3/4 or 1" and how many?
you don't need to drill the top of your tank as long as the border isn't over 4"( 3/4,1") i just took the back brace of the seaswirl left the front one. It screws the front under the prace and my plumbing holds it back. It's solid. They also sell aclic brace to hold it is needed. look http://sea-swirl.com/
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