ReeFit Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 I personally use SCWD's on my tanks. They are energy efficient, they don't drop 30% of your flow. They do need maintenance just like everything. I clean and oil mine once every 6 months along with my pumps and skimmer. I have only had one fail and thats because it was a used one. If money is an issue, i would recommend them. If money is not an issue, i would look into a better alternative. I just have to chime in and state that they are not worthless in all applications. JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 They are energy efficient' date=' they don't drop 30% of your flow. [/quote'] They absolutely do. I've measured it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 They absolutely do. I've measured it myself. I'm interested in how you tested this, being that you have 2 points of exit for the flow and a device that swaps between the two and does not do it immediately, at one point both sides run together. I have 3 sets of SCWD's on 2 different tanks, I've run them back to back with a strait T and ball valves and then replacing it with a SCWD. I've noticed very little if any loss of flow at all. The turbulent activity is excellent. Believe me it was definitely a concern of mine too, but i had very good results and for the cost to implement, i love them. That being said, i am still interested to learn what you know about them and how you implemented them, why you don't like them because i plan to put 2 more on my 120G i'm building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Here goes: My pump is an Eheim 1262, plumbed to a 4' long 3/4" ID reinforced vinyl hose. I timed how long it took to pump 5g of water without the SCWD, and then with the SCWD. I ran each test 5 times to reduce any errors in timing, etc and in case there was any loss due to where the SCWD started in it's cycle. The ave and mode results of each test were identical; my timing and the cycle of the SCWD were not factors in the test. Without SCWD: 5g/27s or 666gph With SCWD: 5g/37s or 486 gph SCWD efficiency: 73% SCWD Cycle time: 12s (full cycle, lull to lull on one output) I included the cycle time just as a curiosity; I'll have more to say about it when the system is installed and I can get a feel for the aesthetiques of the timing. taken from my posting at RC: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1139263 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Thanks for the input. i will test out the 1" scwd's on a manifold with my new 2400 gph pump. I'm curious now what they will put out. I appreciate your time and explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 No problem, please post your results I'd like to see if the 1" is any different. Also note that the better the pump is at dealing with head pressure the better it'll handle a SCWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 2, 2010 Author Share Posted June 2, 2010 What do you think about switching from DE bulbs to SE bulbs? Could I run my same ballasts? I can use either 2 250w ARO electronic ballasts (using them on my 72g right now) or 2 250w IceCap Electronic Ballasts. I was looking into the Lumenmax reflectors and someone else mentioned them to me. They have one that 22.25 x 22.25 x 8. Think running 2 of those side by side would work? Will I notice any difference switching from 20k DE bulbs to 20k SE bulbs if I stick with the same brand? REFLECTOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 I believe the Icecap electronic ballast will run any SE or DE 250w bulb. Not sure about the ARO ballasts. I think if you are going to try and get away with (2) MH over that size tank you should go with 400w w/ large reflectors. I think it might be kind of tuff lighting that with only (2) 250w with any reflector. If you don't plan on keeping much SPS you probably could get away with the (2) 250w. Are you going to do any T5 or VHO supplementation? Sunlight Supply has a reflector that might work for you. it says in the link below that the reflectors are designed to cover a 2'x2' area. http://www.aquacave.com/lumenmax-elite-de-hqi-br-double-ended-reflector-br-by-sunlight-supply-2275.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 i didn't click on your reflector link till after I posted so i'll add that the reflector you posted looks good too and it's less expensive. the nice thing about SE bulbs is you have more options with color temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 3, 2010 Author Share Posted June 3, 2010 Im trying to get away with just using two 20k 250w. I don't really want to switch to 400w. Id probably just use 4 x 250w since I already have everything to do that. Then I know I could cover the entire tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwcoralfarm Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Take a look at the sunlight supply agrotech reflectors, not sure exactly what style you are thinking about but the are decent reflectors, not spider style and they are pretty cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Im trying to get away with just using two 20k 250w. I don't really want to switch to 400w. Id probably just use 4 x 250w since I already have everything to do that. Then I know I could cover the entire tank. if you already have everything to setup the (4) 250w then go with that. If you end up not liking it for some reason you could always change it down the road. I think the (4) 250w will cover that tank nicely. What kind of reflectors do you currently have for the 250w? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 3, 2010 Author Share Posted June 3, 2010 I have 2 of these that are about 11x6 over my 72g right now And I have 2 of these that are about 10x12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 You should check out the Lumenbright 3 pendants. They have great spread and more output than any other reflector out there. On the SCWD i would pass. I used one before and it stopped switching. Not to mention the flow loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 put some tinfoil on the top of the hood or your ceiling and save yourself $600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Re: 240 Cube Build Help im looking for a 4 way oceans motions instead now. I found a few for around $200 but might need to sell some stuff first Sent from my SPH-M900 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 spendy bugers, $200's a steal when retail at $380's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 Think Im going to run all 4 250w after all. Going to try and pick up some plumbing while Im in portland this weekend. Picking up a skimmer next week. Now I need to find lots of sand for cheap and figure out a stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 Give a shout to Rick, he might still have some of that sand available, and last I talked to him about it, he was considering working up another group order on it. .25 per pound is what I believe he was selling it at last time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 Willamette Greystone..#8 or. #6 size sand 100 lb bags for $8. Seed it with some live stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 Is the sand silica based or does that matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 It is silica based. I got the idea from Impur. Works well, looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Just picked up 150 pounds of sugar size Bahama Aragonite sand, about 100lbs of marco base rock and a SWC 200 skimmer....... Now all I need to do is figure out the stand and I should be up and running in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I think I know where you got the sweet skimmer deal,but where did you end up getting the sand and rock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Same guy. There is the same skimmer, still new, in tacoma on RF. He has it listed for $175. I could have had it for $150 but found one here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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