what is scwd exactly!!

kdc527 · 11/11/2008, 06:15 PM

What is a scwd I know it's wave making piece of equipment. Does anyone have them on their tanks and do you like them.

sassafrass · 11/11/2008, 06:42 PM

It stands for switching current water director it is pronounced squid

poolkeeper1 · 11/11/2008, 06:43 PM

SCWD stands for switching current water device if my memory
is correct. It alternates flow of water between two returns.
10-4

sassafrass · 11/11/2008, 06:50 PM

They are inexpensive and work however they reduce flow significantly

mg426 · 11/11/2008, 06:53 PM

I have run them in the past. They do switch the water and provide random flow in ones tank. However they are flow killers BIGTIME. They are also prone to calcium buildup with leads to premature failure. A 1 inch version is due out very soon, It may already be on the market. It is said to be less flow restrictive and have a removable top for easy cleaning.

kdc527 · 11/11/2008, 07:30 PM

What other devices are there on the market that direct flow from a return pump? I just got a mar 9.5, but i am pretty sure i will have to cut the flow back. My overflow is rated to 600gph and i am planning on upgrading that shortly. will i be able to adjust the pump back enough with a ball valve? Until i upgrade my overflow.

WaterKeeper · 11/11/2008, 07:34 PM

If our bad language automaton doesn't place ***, then it is not scr**d up.

sean_954 · 11/11/2008, 07:37 PM

I agree with with " mg426 " ........IMO they are crap , get some power heads and a controller .

kdc527 · 11/11/2008, 07:47 PM

I have powerheads already Korlia's 2's and a seio prop none of which I think work well on a cotroller. I was thinking about splitting a 3/4 inch line from the return. The using some lock line fom more current. I have to many dead spots in my tank. I think that is part of an algea problem i am still fighting

bnmir · 11/11/2008, 08:18 PM

What about oceans motions, does the same thing but uses electricity instead of flow. Any opinions?

mg426 · 11/11/2008, 09:00 PM

I currently run an Oceans Motions squirt 4 way. It is IMO one of the nicest additions I have added to my system.

kdc527 · 11/11/2008, 09:38 PM

how much does one of those cost and how do they operate? will I still be able to use the mag9.5 and cut the flow back without hurting oceans motions or my pump.

sean_954 · 11/12/2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdc527
I have powerheads already Korlia's 2's and a seio prop none of which I think work well on a cotroller. I was thinking about splitting a 3/4 inch line from the return. The using some lock line fom more current. I have to many dead spots in my tank. I think that is part of an algea problem i am still fighting

Amean .......how are you placing them power heads in ur DT , also how much flow are you trying to acheive , beacuse (2) K2 placed properly in a 55 at both ends with your return could work wonders .

AZDesertRat · 11/12/2008, 11:17 AM

The SCWD uses a small turbine wheel turned by the water velocity passing through the device which moves a small gate around in a circle which in turn blocks off one outlet or the other. it will cut flows by 25-30% or more due to the restriction it causes.
The Oceans Motions Squirt on the other hand uses a small electric motor to turn a magnet which in turn moves a small rotor with holes and gates in it again around in a circle. The design though is much better and it causes very negligible flow restrictions so your flow will be almost the same as if it were open or unobstructed at all, and gives you the added benefit of switching flows from one port to another for wave action.
I made the switch from a SCWD to a Squirt about 3 years ago and it was a huge improvement.

11/11/2008, 06:15 PM	#1
kdc527 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 333	what is scwd exactly!! What is a scwd I know it's wave making piece of equipment. Does anyone have them on their tanks and do you like them. __________________ she thinks the fish are pretty Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef 29 gallon sump 2 korlia 2's mag5 return current 48"pc light

11/11/2008, 06:53 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have run them in the past. They do switch the water and provide random flow in ones tank. However they are flow killers BIGTIME. They are also prone to calcium buildup with leads to premature failure. A 1 inch version is due out very soon, It may already be on the market. It is said to be less flow restrictive and have a removable top for easy cleaning. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/11/2008, 07:30 PM	#6
kdc527 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 333	What other devices are there on the market that direct flow from a return pump? I just got a mar 9.5, but i am pretty sure i will have to cut the flow back. My overflow is rated to 600gph and i am planning on upgrading that shortly. will i be able to adjust the pump back enough with a ball valve? Until i upgrade my overflow. __________________ she thinks the fish are pretty Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef 29 gallon sump 2 korlia 2's mag5 return current 48"pc light

11/11/2008, 07:34 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	If our bad language automaton doesn't place *, then it is not scrd up. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/11/2008, 07:37 PM	#8
sean_954 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coral springs , FL Posts: 50	I agree with with " mg426 " ........IMO they are crap , get some power heads and a controller . __________________ " Good is the enemy of being great " Current Tank Info: Building a 150 Gal ( 48 x 24 x 30 ) still in start mode !!

11/11/2008, 06:42 PM	#2
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	It stands for switching current water director it is pronounced squid

11/11/2008, 06:43 PM	#3
poolkeeper1 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 4,674	SCWD stands for switching current water device if my memory is correct. It alternates flow of water between two returns. 10-4

11/11/2008, 06:50 PM	#4
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	They are inexpensive and work however they reduce flow significantly

11/11/2008, 07:47 PM	#9
kdc527 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 333	I have powerheads already Korlia's 2's and a seio prop none of which I think work well on a cotroller. I was thinking about splitting a 3/4 inch line from the return. The using some lock line fom more current. I have to many dead spots in my tank. I think that is part of an algea problem i am still fighting __________________ she thinks the fish are pretty Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef 29 gallon sump 2 korlia 2's mag5 return current 48"pc light

11/11/2008, 08:18 PM	#10
bnmir Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 269	What about oceans motions, does the same thing but uses electricity instead of flow. Any opinions?

11/11/2008, 09:00 PM	#11
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I currently run an Oceans Motions squirt 4 way. It is IMO one of the nicest additions I have added to my system. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/11/2008, 09:38 PM	#12
kdc527 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 333	how much does one of those cost and how do they operate? will I still be able to use the mag9.5 and cut the flow back without hurting oceans motions or my pump. __________________ she thinks the fish are pretty Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef 29 gallon sump 2 korlia 2's mag5 return current 48"pc light

11/12/2008, 11:17 AM	#14
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The SCWD uses a small turbine wheel turned by the water velocity passing through the device which moves a small gate around in a circle which in turn blocks off one outlet or the other. it will cut flows by 25-30% or more due to the restriction it causes. The Oceans Motions Squirt on the other hand uses a small electric motor to turn a magnet which in turn moves a small rotor with holes and gates in it again around in a circle. The design though is much better and it causes very negligible flow restrictions so your flow will be almost the same as if it were open or unobstructed at all, and gives you the added benefit of switching flows from one port to another for wave action. I made the switch from a SCWD to a Squirt about 3 years ago and it was a huge improvement.