Anyone tried SCWD "Squid" Switching Current Water Director

DrHank · 11/15/2006, 02:44 PM

Have any of you folks tried a SCWD? I'd be interested in hearing your views on this item.

Keiths_Reefs · 11/15/2006, 03:06 PM

Yes, tons of people on here have used them. They work for simpler setups though some of the motorized switches are much nicer. If you keep the SCWD clean they work well. If you let them go without cleaning often they start to sieze up. Also not that they are setup with barbs for flex hose, not fitting for PVC so you have to do a little extra plumbing to work with PVC.

Fishbulb2 · 11/15/2006, 03:14 PM

My only complaint is that the scwd uses little 3/4 inch inlets and outlets that have totally robbed me of gph from my return pump. I would seriously not recommend it for a 110 gallon tank like in your signiture because it will allow enough current to pass through it. Right not I have a Mag 12 running the scwd on a 40 gallon breeder and it is not much flow. It's basically like adding a ball valve to your return pump and closing it half way. The idea is excellent and I love how easy it is to use but it just robs my tank of all the flow.
FB

maginter · 11/16/2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishbulb2
My only complaint is that the scwd uses little 3/4 inch inlets and outlets that have totally robbed me of gph from my return pump. I would seriously not recommend it for a 110 gallon tank like in your signiture because it will allow enough current to pass through it. Right not I have a Mag 12 running the scwd on a 40 gallon breeder and it is not much flow. It's basically like adding a ball valve to your return pump and closing it half way. The idea is excellent and I love how easy it is to use but it just robs my tank of all the flow.
FB

The way I overcame this was by using Penductors. They make a world of difference. I have a 65 gal I am running a GenX-40 with great success. I also have a friend running a Sequence on a 180 with the SCWD and Penductor setup. There is plenty of flow to keep corals happy.

herostar · 11/16/2006, 11:24 AM

what is/are penductors?

atvdave · 11/16/2006, 11:48 AM

I've been using them for over 3 years. My first one lasted for 3 years (maybe longer) and I only replaced it due to I upgraded to a larger tank.

cdentii1 · 11/16/2006, 12:34 PM

I have one on my 37G with a Mag7 in a closed loop for over 5 yrs and no problems what so ever however they do restrict the flow somewhat

maginter · 11/16/2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by herostar
what is/are penductors?

Here is a link to Premium Aquatic showing the Penductors.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Penductor

They work really well.

Ironsheikh · 11/16/2006, 06:14 PM

I liked it but only for a small tank ...unless you could run 2 together kind of like an ocean motion set up

AZDesertRat · 11/16/2006, 07:03 PM

I have been running one for 3 years now with no problems. Now that I think about it, I have not cleaned it since Christmas last year and its just chugging along fine on an OceanRunner 3500 pump in a closed loop configuration. Pretty reliable if you ask me.

mg426 · 11/16/2006, 07:50 PM

I have two SCWDS running on my 125. I have had one failure Right after a major sandstorm in my tank (due to moving things around) They make good changing water patterns but are pretty restrictive to flow.

brianbigoats · 11/16/2006, 09:23 PM

I have one on my 60 for 9 mo no cleaning works great however as others have said does reduce flow i am running it on a RealQuiet 4000 and my guess is after head loss i am only geting around 700gph from a 1000 gph pump

johnnydoe · 11/16/2006, 09:26 PM

i call the company a week or 2 ago and the told me the bigger one is on the way , he told me 1 month . the orig works well , 2 years now , no problems . but like i said they told me 1 month .

HecticDialectic · 11/16/2006, 09:27 PM

There's a post over on nano-reef where a guy got much better flow through the SCWD with some DIY'ing.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...pic=76847&st=0

Might make it better for those big tanks...

11/15/2006, 02:44 PM	#1
DrHank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,138	Anyone tried SCWD "Squid" Switching Current Water Director Have any of you folks tried a SCWD? I'd be interested in hearing your views on this item. __________________ Doc (Click the red house for the FPRS site) Current Tank Info: 210 gallon Mixed reef, 65 reef

11/15/2006, 03:14 PM	#3
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	My only complaint is that the scwd uses little 3/4 inch inlets and outlets that have totally robbed me of gph from my return pump. I would seriously not recommend it for a 110 gallon tank like in your signiture because it will allow enough current to pass through it. Right not I have a Mag 12 running the scwd on a 40 gallon breeder and it is not much flow. It's basically like adding a ball valve to your return pump and closing it half way. The idea is excellent and I love how easy it is to use but it just robs my tank of all the flow. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/16/2006, 11:24 AM	#5
herostar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,024	what is/are penductors? __________________ Do a good turn daily. Current Tank Info: 58g Oceanic (Est. 2007)

11/16/2006, 06:14 PM	#9
Ironsheikh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 1,124	I liked it but only for a small tank ...unless you could run 2 together kind of like an ocean motion set up __________________ You have been weighed... You have been measured... YOU have been found wanting! Current Tank Info: 20G fowlr some zoas

11/16/2006, 07:50 PM	#11
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have two SCWDS running on my 125. I have had one failure Right after a major sandstorm in my tank (due to moving things around) They make good changing water patterns but are pretty restrictive to flow. __________________ 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

11/15/2006, 03:06 PM	#2
Keiths_Reefs Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Winnebago, IL Posts: 396	Yes, tons of people on here have used them. They work for simpler setups though some of the motorized switches are much nicer. If you keep the SCWD clean they work well. If you let them go without cleaning often they start to sieze up. Also not that they are setup with barbs for flex hose, not fitting for PVC so you have to do a little extra plumbing to work with PVC.

11/16/2006, 11:48 AM	#6
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	I've been using them for over 3 years. My first one lasted for 3 years (maybe longer) and I only replaced it due to I upgraded to a larger tank.

11/16/2006, 12:34 PM	#7
cdentii1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 527	I have one on my 37G with a Mag7 in a closed loop for over 5 yrs and no problems what so ever however they do restrict the flow somewhat

11/16/2006, 07:03 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I have been running one for 3 years now with no problems. Now that I think about it, I have not cleaned it since Christmas last year and its just chugging along fine on an OceanRunner 3500 pump in a closed loop configuration. Pretty reliable if you ask me.

11/16/2006, 09:23 PM	#12
brianbigoats Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lodi, CA Posts: 1,122	I have one on my 60 for 9 mo no cleaning works great however as others have said does reduce flow i am running it on a RealQuiet 4000 and my guess is after head loss i am only geting around 700gph from a 1000 gph pump

11/16/2006, 09:26 PM	#13
johnnydoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: pa . Posts: 290	i call the company a week or 2 ago and the told me the bigger one is on the way , he told me 1 month . the orig works well , 2 years now , no problems . but like i said they told me 1 month . __________________ 120gal. 4ft / 40gal. sump , 2 AP700 Kessils , 4 t-5 , SRO 3000 skimmer , dosing , iwaki 100 pump , 2 MP40 QD ,5 gal fuge

11/16/2006, 09:27 PM	#14
HecticDialectic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 78	There's a post over on nano-reef where a guy got much better flow through the SCWD with some DIY'ing. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...pic=76847&st=0 Might make it better for those big tanks...