the swirler-stein - Page 16

dhnguyen · #**376** 11/01/2006, 12:30 PM

Here's the correct link for that

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.a...tname=electric

grochmal · #**377** 11/01/2006, 12:45 PM

How is the noise with that one?
I bought this one and it is very noisy
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.as...-1565&catname=

miwoodar · #**378** 11/01/2006, 01:07 PM

Thanks dhnguyen for fixing the link.

Grochmal - I have the 2.5 rpm in dhnguyen's link and it is totally silent.

I also have a 3.5 rpm motor (also from surplus center) and it is a touch noisy but nothing relative to the other noises in the tank. This 3.5 motor uses a different housing - it has an octagon shaped housing. Both of these motors, while they are reported to run at different rpms, match in speed though.

kevin_mic · #**379** 11/01/2006, 02:06 PM

I have the 2.5 rpm motor and it is relativly quiet. Unfortunatly the place where the connection point for the pipe when it turns is very noisy. I would be open to suggestions for decreasing noice caused by friction while rotating the pump.

miwoodar · #**380** 11/01/2006, 02:25 PM

I used a drop of olive oil. No more squeak/creak.

dhnguyen · #**381** 11/01/2006, 03:15 PM

Yep I did the exact same thing.

gbtower · #**382** 11/13/2006, 11:36 AM

Been running this for about 4 months now. I used the 1 rpm motor from mcmaster and although pricey, it is silent and it doesn't run too hot. I can keep my hand on it for as long as I want. The motor assembly drives 2 units holding 6080s on either side of the tank via an acylic rod. I just updated the mounts this weekend to have the vertical swivel. Previously, the rotating support shaft attached directly to the pump holder. Also the pump holder used to be a simple box. I cut out a slot on the bottom so that the pump could be removed without removing the whole assembly. After 4 months, the rotation has worn a slight groove on the shaft from the tank mount, but it'll probably be a couple years before I have to replace the shafts. At some point I may put in a gear box to provide different rotation periods but the synchronized rotation has been working for now to swirl the tank generally clockwise to counterclockwise with some randomness in between.

dhnguyen · #**383** 11/13/2006, 01:01 PM

That's pretty slick gbtower

Do you have pics of the whole thing setup and running?

gbtower · #**384** 11/13/2006, 01:23 PM

I'll see what I can get tonight. It's a bit hard to get both units and the motor in 1 shot that shows any detail.

gbtower · #**385** 11/14/2006, 07:22 PM

Top left of tank has motor unit attached to left mount

which is connected to right mount with thin acrylic strip.

view from front this morning before lights on

and from right pane

The stream shrouds have also just been modded to remove every other slit and the nozzles to create more dispersed flow. You will have to excuse the mess, since I'm redoing a bunch of things at once. BTW, there's a maximod in the back left to keep the dirt from accumulating in that corner.

dhnguyen · #**386** 11/14/2006, 08:26 PM

Very cool indeed killing 2 birds with one stone so to speak. I like it.

I will be rebuilding mine when I get a larger tank in a few months.

D.

Shouse94 · #**387** 11/14/2006, 10:01 PM

Do you think one MJ 1200 (w/ the maxi-jet mod and the swirler-stein mod) along w/ a mag7 spray bar return would be sufficent enough flow for a standard 55g aquarium?

dhnguyen · #**388** 11/14/2006, 10:09 PM

Depending on what you plan to keep in that 55g it may even be too much.

D.

Shouse94 · #**389** 11/14/2006, 10:58 PM

thanks for the advice dhnguyen.

Now i understand that many have always done 2+ powerheads in the tank. At least one on each side wall. I was hoping to get by with just one in my narrow 55g (probably on one of the sides shooting to the opposite side). Is it safe to say that with the swirler-stein mod on a PH that just one should be able to cover the flow for the whole tank (w/ the help of a the sump return of course). Don't want to seem redundant but just wanted to clarify that it's realtively safe to do with just one PH.

gbtower · #**390** 11/14/2006, 11:35 PM

Could massacre a whole flock of birds, if you wanted

I also almost mounted the motor unit outside the canopy area, but didn't feel like drilling more holes or dealing with the times I end up removing the canopy. Also the crossbars on the mounts have the screws on both ends because I originally intended to use fishing line to link the mounts. The motor could also then really be mounted in almost any orientation using the double lines to "pull" in both directions.

hooked82 · #**391** 11/17/2006, 10:44 PM

I have a quick question guys, it may sound stupid but I'm not positive on how the pvc that goes through the hobby box is secured. I see that theres a slip coupler that the pipe goes through, and this is attached to the box itself. Then theres another coupler thats attatched to the rotating pvc as to not let it slide down. Is this correct? If so then what is keeping it from sliding up, and is anything being used on the pvc/coupler for a seal? Any help would be great as this is the part I'm stuck on. Thanks a bunch.

smells like fish · #**392** 11/19/2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

I see that theres a slip coupler that the pipe goes through, and this is attached to the box itself. Then theres another coupler thats attatched to the rotating pvc as to not let it slide down. Is this correct? If so then what is keeping it from sliding up, and is anything being used on the pvc/coupler for a seal?

You are correct. You could also use an endcap instead of the coupler.

Gravity keeps it from sliding up.

With time, the rotating pvc may separate from the coupler/endcap, so pvc glue could be used.

Check out this thread on RF for a little more info. You need to be logged in to view it.

Swirl parts list

BigSkyBart · #**393** 11/28/2006, 10:49 AM

While out last evening with the spousal unit, being dragged thru some box store, I noticed the lighted animated lawn animals, deer etc, the motor and arm assembly looks pretty similar to what we are doing with this mod. I wonder if the motor assy has any practical use for this mod?
Maybe the after holiday sales would be a time to test one...
Just a thought.

grochmal · #**394** 11/29/2006, 10:17 AM

I tried for the longest time to find someone who sold replacement motors for these animated displays and finally gave up.
I wonder what rpm they turn at?

Isayso · #**395** 12/03/2006, 09:54 PM

HOLY MOLY!
I didnt know that this thread is still going after all this time
glad you like the swirla-stein

dhnguyen · #**396** 12/04/2006, 12:15 AM

And why wouldn't this thread still be alive and kicking? It's a great DIY project

Thanks for starting the thread in the first place Luigi

kevin_mic · #**397** 12/04/2006, 11:55 AM

I love mine. I want to set up another one but I found other uses for the second motor I bought.

grochmal · #**398** 12/05/2006, 11:07 AM

Does anyone have an extra one of these laying around?

jamal-188 · #**399** 12/05/2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grochmal
Does anyone have an extra one of these laying around?

I think I might... I think I got three of them, planning on building two but just have not had the time yet. Let me look when I get home tonight.

Joshsmit56001 · #**400** 12/20/2006, 06:31 PM

I don't know if I am dumb or tired but how do you make the unit turn both ways?