Closed Loop and SeaSwirls Question

[bpnc]

I have read all I can find on the board regarding closed loop systems and SeaSwirls but still need some advice on what I really need.

I have a 75 gallon tank and have been thinking of getting one of the 3/4 inch SeaSwirls with an Iwaki MD30RLXT. I am assuming the SeaSwirl needs a flow not pressure pump.

Questions:

With the 90 degree rotation of the SeaSwirl - how do you keep this thing from pushing water over the front of the tank?

Would I be better off getting two 1/2 inch SeaSwirls (one at each end of the tank) and an Iwaki MD30RLXT?

Any other config that makes sense for a 75?

Thanks for any advice from SeaSwirl owners.

Bill

 

[Anonymous]

hi.

how do you keep this thing from pushing water over the front of the tank?

Keep the flow rate low will help. Some people use a plastic tubing to bend the water flow downward.

Would I be better off getting two 1/2 inch SeaSwirls (one at each end of the tank)...

It will be more expensive for two units, but the advantage is that the flow will be more evenly distributed.

Any other config that makes sense for a 75?

Your imagination (and money) is the limit here. How about two 3/4 SS so that there will be less back pressure, and slower velocity jet?

 

[reefland]

You can replace the nozzel on the Seaswirl with a Loc-Line "Y" connector of the same size. That will give you two streams of water coming from the seaswirl and it should be enough to stop it from going over the tank.

I would try that before cutting back the pump. Why run a good pump if you can't use it fully.

 

[bpnc]

The more I think about this I suspect I will end up with 2 of the 3/4 inch SeaSwirls with some pump??? The y connector sounds like a good idea!

Thanks..

 

[Ben1]

My 3/4" model cam with an locline outlet so you can aim down if needed. I have mine slightly aimed down.

I am planning on three on my next tank which will be a 150. Two will give a very nice current to the tank. I use one on my 75 right now, along with 3 hagen 802 on a red sea wavemaker. The sea swirls are much less distractg from the display, and if I had two seaswirls I would drop the PH's. What kind of display are you planning? Softies? SPS?

 

[bpnc]

Ben,

Thanks for your input...I would like to get the PHs out of the tank and from what you indicated 2 of the SeaSwirls should be good alternative for a 75. I just need to decide on the pump.

The tank has a frogspawn, colt, mushroom rock, button polyp rock, metallic green star polyp, red tube sponge and an anenome...I guess a mixed tank in the end.

At this point I am not planning on adding anything for a while. The tank has only been setup since about mid May and I want to give it time to settle down. I am ammazed at how well it has done so far and have decided I have pressed my luck far enough!

Bill

 

[Ben1]

Taking it slow is a wise idea. From the corals you mentioned, the current should be soft to medium. Not really churning. IME stuff like most LPS, zooanthids, star polyps do best under a constant but mild current, just so they sway slightly. Mushrooms IME do very well in a soft current where they can really expand and multiply quicky.

Good luck