Sucky SCWD

[supaboy1981]

My SCWD totally just fell apart. The little diverter thing in there that switches current fell out of place. Now its creating a ton of microbubbles in the tank and making all the corals close up. I know they arent happy. Any one have similar experience?

[chilly05willy]

Mine broke a couple weeks ago too. It wouldn't alternate, just shot water out of one end and not the other...

[Phischy]

I thought about using one when designing my tank, but was advised against it b/c they break easily and they rob a lot of your flow. Same with flapper valves.

[pyzzazz]

I've got the same problem as chilly05willy. I heard that if you give it a good whack with a hammer you might be able to get the flapper to release. Anybody have success doing this?

[Flamehawk]

how about soak it in vinigar or bleach?

[phishphood]

I would try soaking the stuck ones in vinegar. For everyone else, if you don't mind I'd like to tinker around with the broken SCWDs and would gladly take them off your hands before you trash them.

[dvincent]

What has been the average life span of one of these? i have had mine for about 3 months no probs yet. Darrin

[supaboy1981]

Took it off the tank today. The wheel inside totally came off and was rattling around inside. Never using one of those again.

[PhatBrdr427]

well Jonathan how bout you design a newer better version of the sqwd. im sure you could make it a little better. btw nice ferret.

[phishphood]

Supa
Any chance I can get that broken SCWD?

[supaboy1981]

Supa
Any chance I can get that broken SCWD?


Yeah I will grab it out the trash

[lucubrator]

So jonathan associates with BR employees?
I met phatbrdr and lildhorse today; who is mystery wrasse?

[supaboy1981]

Who is Jonathan?

[lucubrator]

you?
Date of Birth:
December 15, 1981
Age:
24
Real name:
Jonathan

[supaboy1981]

Thats a farse!

[lucubrator]

That you associate with them? Lild seems awefully mad at you, for being someone he doesn't know.

[supaboy1981]

I dont know a lild he is dead to me

[lucubrator]

Ahh, gotcha ;).
You're 24?

[lucubrator]

Back to the topic at hand though, I remember reading a thread where someone modded out a scwd to have bigger inputs, and even 4 outputs.
Marine depot quotes efficiency of the scwd increasing with current, and their internals are more complicated and well designed than one might think.

[supaboy1981]

Ahh, gotcha ;).
You're 24?


Yes. why?

[lucubrator]

I'll continue this elsewhere.
My apologies to anyone still reading.

[cywolv]

What has been the average life span of one of these? i have had mine for about 3 months no probs yet. Darrin

I have a SCWD running on my 55 for over 18 mths no problem. It is running w/
a dolphin 1200.....No maintance has been done to it

[pk-sd]

Here is some more info on RC. Sounds like an interesting device....worth looking into.


http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=9

[pk-sd]

If you attach SCWD to your return pump from the sump (I am assuming many are doing that), how do you prevent back siphoning in the event of power failure?

[supaboy1981]

if you want I have it here at BR

[pk-sd]

if you want I have it here at BR

I think I am going to give it a try. How much ?

Thanks....

[supaboy1981]

NO Phishphood wanted to toy with a broken one and I have one broken. Here at BR they sell them for 54.99 + tax.

To avoid a back syphon you put a check valve before the scwd, that usually works well

[phishphood]

When you working? I can't make it in tomorrow.

[supaboy1981]

I might be in store monday for a tick

[Dakota]

It's all about the Ocean Motion thingis......

[lucubrator]

You prevent backsiphon like any other plumbing, and that's not with a check valve. Drill antisiphon holes half an inch below the water line, and you'll be fine.

[pk-sd]

You prevent backsiphon like any other plumbing, and that's not with a check valve. Drill antisiphon holes half an inch below the water line, and you'll be fine.

Hmmm....anti-siphon holes ?? Not familiar with the concept.....must do research!!

[PhatBrdr427]

anti siphoning holes... wouldn't that rob you of some of the output which you would desire in the specific position you put the return line. Yeah that would work, but it seems like more work than plumbing in a check valve.

[Dakota]

More work!? How can drilling a 1/4" hole in the line be more work than hard plumbing in a check valve?

Plus, a checkvalve will deteriorate with time in "living water." Small tunicates and fan worms will makes homes in there, and then one day when the electricity goes off, the seal on the check-valve is not sealing and you wake up to a flood.

And yes, a small (very small) amount of flow is redirected out of the hole(s) you drill... but the peice of mind of NOT flooding is WELL worth it.

[pk-sd]

Anyone has links or pictures on this anti-siphon holes?

[Dakota]

Anyone has links or pictures on this anti-siphon holes?

Here.. I stole the pic from Melev's reef site... and labeled the stuff you need to know. When the waer level starts to siphon, the hole is exposed, and the air sucked in breaks it. . . thus, the anti-siphon.. and yes, I'm aware I mis-spelled it in the pic.. I rushed, sorry.

[lucubrator]

It's really just as simple as 2-5 1/8"-1/4" holes half an inch lower than the water in your return line. A note on that picture: The adjacent 90 degree bends go over the top of his tank, so the rest of it isn't in the water.
You'll want to make more than one, because they can get covered by coralline or snails, so it's better to have more than one. If you have an squirt, or any other OM drum based device, you need to put holes on every outlet in the tank.


I got two check valves and both failed after six months. I agree with everyone here about the holes.

[pk-sd]

OK,

Installed a SCWD (SuckWid) on my tank yesterday. It does not alternate current. A lot of water flows from one end, not enough from the other. Its installed on a empty tank with just water, so its not anything stuck. Pump is QuiteOne 4000 HH, so I know its enough water flow.

:mad: :mad:

[jharr]

If it is stuck or the propeller wheel is rattling around, you have nothing to lose and might as well try to PIMP UR SCWD (http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12611&highlight=pimp+sqwd)!! I did, and it works fine. You can easily re-attach the impeller wheel once you have it open.

J--