DIY Sea Swirls

SynDen

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#1
Has anyone here attempted to make one of these before?

Been in need of 2 more sea swirls to go on my tank build. I have a 1" sea swirl now that I managed to acquire used for pretty cheap, but brand new these are way overpriced imo, especially the 1.5" version. The 1" runs just under $300, and the 1.5" is about $500, but I know the parts of these cost a small fraction of that.

So since I need a 1.5" and a 1", I decided I would try and build my own. The hardest part looks to be building the rotating nozzle/plumbing piece, but the rest is fairly straight forward.

Dont have a whole lot yet, mostly just been doing research so far, to put together a parts list. So more to follow as I figure out the details of this project.

Picture of the inside of a SeaSwirl for reference.

View attachment 11983

Parts List/options

Motor (high torque, low rpm motor)
Speed Control (optional and need dc motor)
Cam for the motor attachment
Actuator arm
Cord and wire
Plastic/acrylic box
PVC pipe ( need one size larger pipe for the sleeve and smaller pipe to fit into.)
2x 90 degree fittings
Water proof, long lasting, non-toxic lube for inside the pipe sleeve.
Rubber gaskets to fit inside biggest pipe.

Part options
Motors has several options. First is to choose between AC or DC. Then make sure its a motor meant for continuous operation, has 20 or less RPM with torque capable of moving more then a few ounces.

The motor and all the parts can be salvaged from anything around that house, and I will likely try to find/salvage a few for this build if I can, but even buying all the parts new, I think I can do these for under $100 each

AC
- http://herbach.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HAR&Product_Code=H1-08 1RPM motor, although not sure 20oz torque is enough
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...ns-Hour-115-Volt-AC-Timing-Motor-10-958-A.axd (less then 1rpm and under $1 makes this one a good contender)
- https://www.amazon.com/BEMONOC-60KTYZ-AC-Motor-Synchronous/ (a bit more expensive but a good option for the 1.5" version

DC
- http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/6-24vdcgearheadmotor.aspx Not sure of the torque on this one, but the RPM is just about right (RPM (various voltages): @6v: 3rpm; @9v: 4.9rpm; @12v: 6.8rpm; @24v: 14.6rpm) would need a 24v power cord
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...25-RPM-24-Volt-DC-Inline-Gearmotor-5-1796.axd
- https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Elect...=1-51-spons&refinements=p_36:1253528011&psc=1

Power cords and connectors
- https://www.jameco.com

Speed control
- https://www.amazon.com/uniquegoods-CCMFC-Controller-Adjustable-Switching/

Servo Arm
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fxxd-steering-arm-set-by-mst-mxs-230040/p715795
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fsh38-sail-servo-arm-s3801-by-futaba-futfsh38/p646116
- https://www.hobbytown.com/tierod-set-835b-by-duratrax-dtxc9634/p643600

Gear/Cam
- https://www.miniinthebox.com/en/p/34-kinds-of-plastic-gear-motor-gear-robot-parts-diy-model-
- https://www.hobbytown.com/servo-horn-set-1-4-scale-hs700bb-by-hitec-hrc56316/p21825

Would love any feedback, thoughts or experiences you may have
 
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zombie

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#2
I would look into a stepper motor or DC motor for that.

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SynDen

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#3
DC gearmotor is the way I am leaning now for sure. Likeling this one currently https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...25-RPM-24-Volt-DC-Inline-Gearmotor-5-1796.axd but open to other options if anyone has one like it.
stepper would blow the cost of this, at least from what I have seen, and its only needed if you need fine precision tuning, correct? That kind of tuning would be total overkill for this application I think. Although maybe I misunderstand steppers?
 

zombie

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#4
Steppers are intended for precision applications but also happen to be very high torque low rpm and easier to drive if you need speed control. The cost may be prohibitive but I definitely wouldn't consider AC as any speed control there is gonna require an expensive VFD.

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SynDen

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#6
Thats a good idea. Those would likely work pretty good for this kind of application
 

SynDen

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#8
i figured they are strong enough and usually have some form of weatherproofing to them just wasn't sure how long they would last with continuous use
Ya they are meant for intermittent use, so likely would need to put them on a timer or something, but could work. Although there are a ton of other options out there for motors as well. Old BBQ rotisserie motors are one of the better ones I've seen. They have really high torque and meant to run continuous at slow speed. Others that can work, Old kitchen mixers, car window motors, microwave lazy susan motors, etc...
 

halmus

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#10
I have used servocity for a number of projects. It’s a good reference if nothing else. They might be more expensive than other sources you’ve found but they seem to sell quality gear. Servo’s, DC motors, planetary gear motors...

https://www.servocity.com/motors-ac...uty-gear-motors/premium-planetary-gear-motors


If you’re considering drilling a hole through the eurobrace on your tank where your DIY swirls will go, you might consider welding a little cup around the penetration point. That way, if the seals leak at the rotation point, it will all be contained and just drip down into the aquarium rather than run down the side of your tank or into electronics. I can post a picture if that doesn’t describe it well enough. I had to do that for my genuine sea-swirls. In spite of the high price, I got a little dripage and salt creep. Now it’s contained and just drips into the aquarium once in a while. Otherwise, I’ve been happy with the product
 

halmus

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#11
I have used servocity for a number of projects. It’s a good reference if nothing else. They might be more expensive than other sources you’ve found but they seem to sell quality gear. Servo’s, DC motors, planetary gear motors...

https://www.servocity.com/motors-ac...uty-gear-motors/premium-planetary-gear-motors


If you’re considering drilling a hole through the eurobrace on your tank where your DIY swirls will go, you might consider welding a little cup around the penetration point. That way, if the seals leak at the rotation point, it will all be contained and just drip down into the aquarium rather than run down the side of your tank or into electronics. I can post a picture if that doesn’t describe it well enough. I had to do that for my genuine sea-swirls. In spite of the high price, I got a little dripage and salt creep. Now it’s contained and just drips into the aquarium once in a while. Otherwise, I’ve been happy with the product
 

SynDen

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#12
I have used servocity for a number of projects. It’s a good reference if nothing else. They might be more expensive than other sources you’ve found but they seem to sell quality gear. Servo’s, DC motors, planetary gear motors...

https://www.servocity.com/motors-ac...uty-gear-motors/premium-planetary-gear-motors


If you’re considering drilling a hole through the eurobrace on your tank where your DIY swirls will go, you might consider welding a little cup around the penetration point. That way, if the seals leak at the rotation point, it will all be contained and just drip down into the aquarium rather than run down the side of your tank or into electronics. I can post a picture if that doesn’t describe it well enough. I had to do that for my genuine sea-swirls. In spite of the high price, I got a little dripage and salt creep. Now it’s contained and just drips into the aquarium once in a while. Otherwise, I’ve been happy with the product
Ya I have used them before too. Although their mototrs are to high of rpm for this application, or at least I didn't see any that were like in the 1-3rpm range
Got a pic of the cups, been kind of wondering if they would do that
 

halmus

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#13
I’m not sure it this picture will convey the idea. Mine are square cups that surround where the swirls dip down into the aquarium. You could buy a short length of round acrylic to weld on to do the same thing and look better. Or weld on a sch40 pvc part.

Basically just catches all of the salt creep or drips directing it down into the aquarium.


View attachment 14182
 
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