sea swirl, need help to decide which one

[Leopardshark]

Hello, I´m about to buy a Little giant 4mdqxsc (1120 gph) for a closed loop for my 300 gal tank.
I´m going to run a sea swirl on the return of this pump, but I´m unsure if I should buy 2 x 3/4" and install each one on each side of my tank or just 1 of 1" with a Y connection to cover 180° and install it on the middle of the tank.
What do you guys think. Should there be any benefit from buying 2 sea swirls rather than 1???
Also I don´t know if 1120 gph would be too little to run 2 x 3/4 SS, or if that doesn´t affect their performance.

Thanks a lot

Marco

 

[kevinpo]

Hola Marco,
For that pump you should run 2 - 1/2" Sea Swirls. The 3/4" models are rated for 850 GPH each. Place them about 1 foot in from each end.

Saludos,
Kevin

 

[liquid]

The 3/4" model will put more back pressure on your pump which will reduce your flow somewhat. If you do go w/ the 3/4" SS, bring larger diameter pipe up from your sump (I like 1.25" to minimize frictional head loss) and then reduce down to 3/4".

2 SS vs. 1 SS: Depends on how much tubulent flow you want. You might be better served to go with one and see what you think to save some $$ initially. If you do tee off to run two, you will be reducing your flow by 1/2.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

Just DIY with the plans on the patent website. Only kidding. :wink:

Or, ZooMed makes a rotating powerhead, as does RIO, and they both cost much less, like $20-30.

 

[Leopardshark]

Hola Kevinpo and everybody else, thanks for your comments.
Actually money is not a problem here (I´m single je je) and the LG has a 1" output, and I will reduce it to 3/4 so it can fit.
I want a lot of turbulence since my tank is supposed to be a SPS dominated tank.
Don´t you think I would be limiting myself for any upgrade if I go with the 1/2"???
Though decision huh?? 8O :?

 

[ChrisRD]

Don´t you think I would be limiting myself for any upgrade if I go with the 1/2"???

I do. I wouldn't go with 1/2". I have two 1/2" SSs - I'd never use this size again - they're just too restrictive. Personally, I'll stick with the 1" model from now on.

 

[SPC]

Don´t you think I would be limiting myself for any upgrade if I go with the 1/2"???

I must disagree with my friend wolfman on this . I run four 1/2" models on my 180 as my only returns. I like the fact that I can spread them across the back of the tank and use the Y fitting to get excellent circulation. BTW, the 1" model was too loud for my tastes, this was last years model however so they may be quieter now.
Steve

 

[ChrisRD]

Fair enough Steve - :wink:. Maybe I just need a bigger pump (maybe a nice Ampmaster... ).

BTW, while we're on the SS topic, does anyone know if the inlet fittings on the top of the unit unscrew? I haven't tried this yet, but I thought I should ask before I go ahead and break them... :lol:

Anyone tried this?

 

[Anonymous]

A couple of thoughts.

If you are thinking of upgrading, I think you should go with the bigger ss. You can always put a reducer on the output elbow, or use a reducing elbow.

Think about putting the ss's in the front corners of your tank. Great spread and the water is pushed towards the animals insead of at the front glass.

The new 1" models are totally quiet and rock!

Wolfman, don't move the fittings on top of the ss. They are glued or something, I cant remember. Email Ed at ss and he will send you directions. It is pretty easy, but you need to do it the right way.

RR :mrgreen:

 

[Court Jester]

What are the dimensions of your tank and how do you plan to orient the seaswirls relative to the tank walls?

Personally, I would error on the larger side. Keep in mind that the smaller nozzles will likely result in higher velocity flow (not always a good thing). A larger size will give you less restrictive flow and at a lower velocity. You should plan ahead to when your corals are larger and the SS might be blowing tissue off or stressing corals in close proximity.

Just something to think about...

 

[Leopardshark]

Thanks all for you valuable input. You all have been a great help.
I will place the SS on the front corner so the water flow comes directly to the corals and not to the front glass.
At the moment I don´t think I will upgrade my tank because it is just the size I like. When I mean upgrading is buying another pump and running each SS with one pump.
I know a smaller nozzle will push water stronger and a bigger one would allow a gentle flow, but it would still be the same water flow, and I don´t like a jetstream that would rip the flesh off my corals.
GOing 1" would be too much I think and I would need a much bigger ($$$$) pump to run them correctly.
I think I will place them in the front of my tank with the water flow facing to my corals and parallel to the front of the glass, but I don´t know how difficult I would be to maneuver in the tank with the 2 SS int he front rather than in the back.

 

[Anonymous]

To put the ss in the front corners you can build, or buy from ed at ss, corner braces for the units.

Here is a shot of what I did, before I cleaned it up!

 

[SPC]

Posted by Leaopard:

I know a smaller nozzle will push water stronger and a bigger one would allow a gentle flow, but it would still be the same water flow, and I don´t like a jetstream that would rip the flesh off my corals.

-Yes, that is exactly the reason I run the 1/2" models, ripping the flesh off my corals is what I was after 8O .

Righty, your picture isn't showing up.
Steve

 

[beerbaron]

BTW, while we're on the SS topic, does anyone know if the inlet fittings on the top of the unit unscrew? I haven't tried this yet, but I thought I should ask before I go ahead and break them... :lol:

Anyone tried this?

no i havent tried this , but i heard if you ask the company they will give you step by step instructions, or mabey you send it in and they do it for free? something like that. they are a great company.
BB

 

[kevinpo]

I also agree you would be limiting yourself with the 1/2" models I was just trying to match up the pump you mentioned. Get the 3/4" models and a bigger pump (Iwaki 70 or 100 for example). I run 4 - 3/4" models and would like to add 2 more. If you discover the velocity is too much you can add a Y fitting which will cut the flow through each nozzle in half. I tried the Y on mine but it reduced the velocity too much and I took it off.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Leopardshark]

thanks for the pic Righty, looks nice.
The problem with Iwakis is that they get too hot and transfer too much heat to the tank right? And at this time my tank is @ 82F, and they are sooo expensive. Probably going with another LG if I want to have more flow be a good choice I think.

 

[Mac1]

I have a 1" model on my 90, and have removed the nipple fitting. I prefer the way the water kinda just rolls into the tank this way, rather than squirting w/ the tapered output (also stir's up a lot less sand ) . On my new tank I'm planning on using 3-4 of them for returns. After having only one, and seeing several tanks w/ two, I think more is better in this case. That said, if I were you, I'd get a pair of the 3/4's.

- Mac