DIY Sea Swirl

[alvy]

This is the best DIY project I've seen so far done by reefers!!! The cost is low, but difficult to fabricate!!Anybody interested??

pages.infinit.net/lambertv/pages/index.htm

[Cedric]

Hi Alvy, think the link not working???

[robe]

Try using the project link to view the pics. Actually instead of direct contact between pipes he could have used delrin ball bearings ( low friction plastic used for bearings and slider mechanism in machineries). That will cut down the torque required to oscillate the pipe.

Hey Alvy, the oscillating mechanism can be powered by DC gear motors instead of AC (safer). There's a shop in Sim Lim Tower that sells second hand process automation parts and stuffs from closed down factories.

Why not a rotating paddle to create the waves and surge instead. A shaft with a clear plastic paddle mounted above the tank with the paddle immersed in the top part of the water column and rotating slowly (10 rpm) would create a surge like effect or oscillating with a rocker mechanism.

[Achilles Tang]

Very interesting...

I like the DIY sea swirl...

[Tanzy]

Out of the question for the average reefer! How am I suppose to build that thing?!?!

Only for engineers.

Maybe it's just me...

[alvy]

robe: Maybe we should work together..i can't get wat you are trying to say without pics, anyway i have another idea in getting the paddle to spin using a normal dc motor(mini cars) using some gear system (which i can fab) (dc gear motor are damn expensive!!!). as for the active seal, i tot that guy already was quite ingenious, maybe ur design would be better!! I have some equiment to prototye gears and acrylic fixtures..maybe we should diy our own sea swirl..!!

I also have another idea in making a motorised valve...hehe..anyway one step at a time...i'm interested in the sea swirl...robe..need more info on the active seal( the shaft thingy)

[robe]

Hi Alvy,

The sealing can use oil seals as they are designed for medium speed steel rotating shafts. In this case though we might have to use machined bushings to go over the pipe. I think my concept would end up very expensive but probably more reliable. IN this case the water is connected to an outer sleeve with an inner rotating pipe to direct the water out. The inner pipe will have slotted holes for the water to enter with both ends held by delrin bearings.

For the water paddle, it's just it! Water paddles attached to a rotating or oscillating shaft. The paddles move the water in a rotating or back and forth motion to simulate the natural back and forth motion of the water.

I need to sketch it and scan the copy or maybe do it in autocad.