[BigLar]

Has anyone tried using lawn sprinkler solenoids for a wavemaker. Why couldn't you build something out of PVC with about 3 solenoids at each end of the tank alternating on and off?

[myreef]

I thought about doing this at the beginning of the year. I even bought them. I talked to someone at Rainbird and they said they would work, but would have a short life. They are not built to cycle on and off in a manner in which we need in our reefs. If you cycled them on/off only a few (2-3) times per day they would be OK, but not what most people want. Unfortunately, the solenoid/motorized valves that can take this punishment are high dollar. The cheapest I have seen is about $250 and up. Great idea, but unfortunately, if you have to swap them out every month or so, it would be cost prohibitive. Good luck....HTH

[scubadude]

I have been following this topic religiously! one of the problems here is that the sprinkler heads have to be ALL plastic....there have been about 2-3 sprinkler head designs....there have also been 2-3 Seaswirl designs.....However after analyzing all of these designs and seeing how effecient as well as how unsightly some of them look, I have decided to keep my faith in Sea Swirls.....even though they are very expensive....give me some time and I will try to chase down some of the best oscillating DIY motion makers that I have found though

[scubadude]

http://www.megsinet.net/~alberts1/


http://www.aqualink-too.com/ubb/boar...&f=17&t=000649

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...ight=wavemaker

There is more stuff out there.....there is one that was made from an ALL plastic yellow sprinkler...which has 3 arms and rotates...it only cost about 5bux and you can buy them online....I couldnt find that one....but it is in RC somewhere.....lotsa good ideas just nothing near as effecient as the SS's yet IMO good luck and let me know if you find something that works real good for ya

[myreef]

thanks for the links scuba....I was shocked when I clicked one and found it was a thread I started on my closed loops.

I still want to do the solenoid valves one day....the quest is still out there. We should be able to build something efficient and worthy of fellow reefers.

[scubadude]

NP Myreef

Yes I agree...someday we will have the DIY SeaSwirls down pat! I spent alot of time talking to Ed at SeaSwirl (he is the owner) these past few days and after talking with him and realizing what he has put into the sea swirls I realize that especially if you are going with a big (100g+) tank then its more effecient in the long run to just buy them.....I just dropped close to $350 on two 1" SeaSwirls....but this is my dream tank im building and I didnt want some yellow looking sprinkler in there and didnt want to find out 3 weeks down the road that it might stop working and possibly cause problems. By all means im not trying to discourage a DIY seaswirl or wavemaker.....Im just saying that a sprinkler (or such) was not really designed to perform the crucial expectations that a Sea Swirl is designed for. Good Luck

[myreef]

I agree, sometimes in the quest to find a "cheaper" alternative, we spend more time and money than we originally thought we would. Definitely more time is spent than we ever intended. DIY is a great part of the hobby, but when looking at a new project, I always try to factor in time and see if it is really worth it. In my next tank, I will get the expensive motorized ball valves and have them on my Aquacontroller to control the water movement in my system. IMO, it is the best way to move water in a large tank over 300 gallons....but you have to plan ahead with the tank and have it predrilled.

Sounds like you tank will be nice Scuba from what I have been reading.