apos
Member
I'm interested in a brainstorming thread!
The goal here is to think of a simple, ingenious design for a device that will route water (ideally from a return pump without any extra pumps) such that it switches directions at a reasonably decent rate (every 10-20 seconds at the longest, every 2 seconds at the fastest) that is easy enough that folks can DIY it themselves. I think this is sort of the holy grail of DIY "ocean fl"ow projects.
Essentially the problem is to build a unit that oscillates water back and forth like the ocean, but doesn't involve the basic "several powerheads cycling on and off on a timer" concept. Not that that isn't a good solution on its own. But many of those systems are ultra expensive in their own right, and a different sort of project/purchase.
Currently, there are several known designs I can think of:
1) WavySea/Seaswirl: motor rotates outlet
-probably the best overall effect, closest to real ocean movement
-lots of moving parts, gears, motors: high likelihood that any DIY, non-machined unit won't hold up very well over time
-non-waterproof electric parts/belt = DIY danger
2) Wavebox type 1: usually two openings at top of box and bottom, and the flow alternates between the two
-I don't have any clue how it works internally!
-also likely a lot of moving parts
-I assume that it moves the surface of the water quite a lot, which is not ideal for some setups. Be better if it moved side to side, but that might not be how it works
-theoretically seems like the best option for a DIY if there were some simple mechanism for it
2a) Wavebox type 2: basically an overflow with a powerhead at the bottom on an oscillator
-uses an extra powerhead, boo.
-major surface wobble: awesome, but a little scary
3) SCWD-like: basically, switches between two return outlets into the tank
-clogs, needs lots of cleaning
-severely reduces head pressure
-gear system unlikely to be easy to DIY
4) Gravity switching surge devices: basically two chambers that fill and flush/drain alternately
-gravity fed = low gph/pressure
-risk of overflow if there's a clog
-likely to create lots of bubbles (open to the air by its nature)
Can anyone think of anything other major category (again, non alternating powerhead based) I'm missing?
The focus of my brainstorming is on some sort of wavebox design fed not by an extra motor, but by the return pump feed itself: sort of an in tank SCWD/wavebox hybrid. The trick is figuring out how to eliminate the need for gears and lots of extra moving parts. There's a number of things I'd like to try and test out and play around with, and I'm scrounging up materials for play. When I get some things up and running, I'll document what will likely be a lot of at least amusing and instructive failures.
In the meantime, anyone else feel free to chime in with any idea, no matter how out there or unlikely: maybe it'll inspire someone else to find the real solution.
The goal here is to think of a simple, ingenious design for a device that will route water (ideally from a return pump without any extra pumps) such that it switches directions at a reasonably decent rate (every 10-20 seconds at the longest, every 2 seconds at the fastest) that is easy enough that folks can DIY it themselves. I think this is sort of the holy grail of DIY "ocean fl"ow projects.
Essentially the problem is to build a unit that oscillates water back and forth like the ocean, but doesn't involve the basic "several powerheads cycling on and off on a timer" concept. Not that that isn't a good solution on its own. But many of those systems are ultra expensive in their own right, and a different sort of project/purchase.
Currently, there are several known designs I can think of:
1) WavySea/Seaswirl: motor rotates outlet
-probably the best overall effect, closest to real ocean movement
-lots of moving parts, gears, motors: high likelihood that any DIY, non-machined unit won't hold up very well over time
-non-waterproof electric parts/belt = DIY danger
2) Wavebox type 1: usually two openings at top of box and bottom, and the flow alternates between the two
-I don't have any clue how it works internally!
-also likely a lot of moving parts
-I assume that it moves the surface of the water quite a lot, which is not ideal for some setups. Be better if it moved side to side, but that might not be how it works
-theoretically seems like the best option for a DIY if there were some simple mechanism for it
2a) Wavebox type 2: basically an overflow with a powerhead at the bottom on an oscillator
-uses an extra powerhead, boo.
-major surface wobble: awesome, but a little scary
3) SCWD-like: basically, switches between two return outlets into the tank
-clogs, needs lots of cleaning
-severely reduces head pressure
-gear system unlikely to be easy to DIY
4) Gravity switching surge devices: basically two chambers that fill and flush/drain alternately
-gravity fed = low gph/pressure
-risk of overflow if there's a clog
-likely to create lots of bubbles (open to the air by its nature)
Can anyone think of anything other major category (again, non alternating powerhead based) I'm missing?
The focus of my brainstorming is on some sort of wavebox design fed not by an extra motor, but by the return pump feed itself: sort of an in tank SCWD/wavebox hybrid. The trick is figuring out how to eliminate the need for gears and lots of extra moving parts. There's a number of things I'd like to try and test out and play around with, and I'm scrounging up materials for play. When I get some things up and running, I'll document what will likely be a lot of at least amusing and instructive failures.
In the meantime, anyone else feel free to chime in with any idea, no matter how out there or unlikely: maybe it'll inspire someone else to find the real solution.
