oloid paddle water agitator

[mellen]

Anyone (I'm thinking worldwide) out there know of a source for aquarium sized Oloid Paddles/powerheads? I visited the company's .de site - only giant ones for ponds and sewerage treatment. These devices create tremendous water circulation without using much electricity and don't "puree" zooplankton/larvae like regular propeller power heads do. I remember reading about them in either Tullock or Nilsen, but have found no web source yet.

Thanks y'all!
mellen:reading:

[MarkM3]

I remember a post back about 6 months ago on this topic, start your search there. There was even a little animation. good luck with your search!

[MarkM3]

Here you go (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215224&highlight=ovoid)

[PerryinCA]

I saw one at the Interzoo show in Germany, but I can't for the life of me remember who had it. Amazing devices, but I would consider it an eye sore in a typical reef. Now if you had a custom built tank with some kind of spacing that hid it somewhere-that would be cool.

I don't know if I have information on the one I saw, but I'll take a look.

-Perry

[bluereefs]

Schuran present oloid wave maker device this year at interzoo.
http://www.korallenriff.de/28interzoo/schuran2004c.jpg
http://www.korallenriff.de/28interzoo/

[Justjoe]

Originally posted by bluereefs
Schuran present oloid wave maker device this year at interzoo.
http://www.korallenriff.de/28interzoo/schuran2004c.jpg
http://www.korallenriff.de/28interzoo/

How big is that unit and what size tank is pictured?
Thanks,
Joe

[mellen]

Looking at photo on InterZoo link provided by Bluereefs, I'd say it's on an 80 to 100gal tank and about 4 to 6 inches long. Looked a little too powerful (for what powerhead users are used to), so I think a smaller unit would work fine at a faster pulse rate. Regardless, it didn't look too big or ugly. I'd rather have that to look at (it's so graceful in motion) than some sweeper PH anyday! And you could just leave coraline algae growth on the paddle itself to blend it in to tank back.

[PerryinCA]

Eeek, I thought it was far too intrusive looking - especially with all the stainless steel. Although, the water motion was really cool. Thanks for the link!

[Sanjay]

Here is my attempt at making a scaled protoype that could work in an aquarium- first prototype. After seeing this website a couple of years ago I had to try to make one to uderstand how it works. Well, now it seems that someone is selling a smaller version for home aquariums.

This one is working alright for a first prototype (has not been water tested), need to figure out the tank mounts. It also has a few small glitches due to some rigitdity problems of attaching the non driven rod, that is causing it to jerk a bit. Have not had the time to play with it for the last 6 months.

Hopefully, I am not going to get into any serious trouble for posting this here... its just a toy for me to play with.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/s/b/sbj4/aquarium/oloid.gif

sanjay.

[mellen]

A moment, Sanjay, while I push my bulging eyes back in their orbits! Makes me want to win the lottery so I can pay Ford Motor Company to use their laser Rapid Prototyper! I've never seen such fine DIY! Also, I don't think you should worry about patent infringement; there are definite mechanical detail differences, and it is just a scratch-built hobbyist's working model, anyway. But what a scratch-building champ you are! :eek1:

[H20ENG]

I have seen a short video of the Oloid at Monterey Bay aquarium. It definitely moves the water, but its pretty noisy. Havent talked with him for a few months, so cant comment on any corrosion issues.
N I C E Build Sanjay!!!

[Kengar]

Originally posted by mellen
Also, I don't think you should worry about patent infringement; there are definite mechanical detail differences, and it is just a scratch-built hobbyist's working model, anyway.



Bwooooopppppp Bwoooooooopppppp Bwooooooopppp

Hey Buddy, PULL OVER! Patent Police Here!!!! ;)

(Long time no posting for Kengar.)

Re patent infringement, the question is what the claims of a patent recite, i.e., whether the claims can be read in a way that describes what the potentially infringing product has, not whether one person's version of a product has mechanical detail differences compared to the commercial embodiment of the patented device. Also, even a single, at home, DIY, non-commercial device can constitute infringement. The patent owner likely would not know of or go after such an infringer, but it Could constitute infringement nonetheless.

Just my $0.02.

Kengar

[Sanjay]

I have not seen the patent, but if there is one I was sure I was violating it with this post :rolleyes:

Just so RC does not get into trouble I'll remove the pic. It was mostly an educational exercise on my part.

sanjay.