Oscillators - users experience

[Henry1]

Anyone use this new product for creating wave/variable-directional flow?

I understand it work by water pressure from an inlet pump . . .will the outflow pressure drop significantly?
Any observable improvement/changes after installation?
Ease of maintenance?
Costwise, is it value for money?

Here's the link.
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_wm_oceancurrent_info.asp?CartId=

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

I have an ocean currents oscillator on my return. On one hand I would not want to be without it: it is difficult for me to put in powerheads or any electric devices, and if the return doesn't oscillate I have dead spots and strong current spots.

On the other hand, it has given me a lot of trouble. They seize up relatively quickly, I guess due to deposits from the calcium supplements, in spite of weekly flushing with fresh water. And opening that sucker to brush it out is almost an impossible task - the screws are tiny, which mandates the use of an equally tiny screwdriver, but they require a LOT of force. Result - stripped screws and bruised hands.

I am going to try a vinegar soak next to reduce the deposits, hopefully that will melt them out without the heartache of trying to get the thing open.

 

[Henry1]

Brian, thanks for the sharing.

Guy at the LFS say it need a fairly powerful pump for it to work properly.
What's the output rating of your pump?
Could a slow oscillating movement (I'm assumming) allow the deposit to built up?

Weekly maintenance seem too much work

 

[Anonymous]

My pump is approx. 1200 gph @ 4'. The documentation with the oscillator says it needs a minimum of 400 gph to work.

The oscillating motion is fairly slow, intentionally so. I doubt it would help the deposit situation if it was faster; powerheads are notorious for having similar problems and their "works" move much faster.

Marine Depot also sells a powered oscillator you might consider if it would fit with your setup, it is more expensive of course. Maybe someone else will respond who has experience with this unit...

[ April 10, 2002: Message edited by: Brian Boyer ]</p>

 

[914]

i've got the rotator, and you're welcome to have it for half price..

i'll have to be honest when i say that i don't like it. (i used it only for a few days in pure freshwater, 'shakedown cruise' of the new tank / closed loop setup)

imo, it spins too fast, making the currents barely detectable. i was using a Little Giant MD4Q with it, which should have been plenty.

otoh, i doubt very seriously it would ever clog/slow down, so maybe it would work for you.