Wave Maker for 50 Bucks?

[dingo_53]

Has anyone got any feedback on the new SCWD wave maker from 3iQ Ventures. A 40 dollar non electric addition to a standard pump that has been getting exceptional reviews. I want to get some serious movement in my tank and this seems like a, too simple, solution.

A bit from the web at www.3iqventures.com (http://www.3iqventures.com) I DON'T work for them, just wanna know before I buy.

After years of research and testing, 3iQ Ventures has unveiled an industry changing wave making product for aquariums, ponds and gardens, called SCWD (Switching Current Water Director). SCWD ("squid") promises to add life giving alternating currents to saltwater and freshwater aquariums alike, as well as ponds; and decorative alternating sprays to garden statuary. SCWD is a revolutionary mechanical wave maker, designed and manufactured in the United States by 31Q, to the highest standards of quality and reliability. SCWD is clearly the most efficient wave maker available. This new and amazing device has been subjected to the rigors of consumer use and laboratory testing in excess of 53,000 hours - over 6 years! SCWD will provide years of reliable, convenient, and trouble-free service. It is, in fact, the best, most coft effective mechanical current generating device available on the market today.

http://www.3iqventures.com/images/scwd_black.jpg

[fsn77]

SCWDs aren't new... they've been around for awhile. They are known to reduce the flow output, although I've yet to see an actual number or percentage (most people just state "noticable drop in flow"). This is due to its general design -- using the force of the water to perform work, which essentially creates more head pressure for your return pump and results in somewhat less flow output.

I personally like them. I've seen many posts by people stating they were able to go a couple of years without having to clean it, and a run through some vinegar water was all it took to get it working again. I've been planning to get one myself, but I need to replace our return pump, also... so, I'm trying to save enough money so I can do both at the same time.

[dingo_53]

This one is quite a new patented design and apparently unlike any other.
Flow rates reduced 40 to 10% depending on the pump size.
For example 720 gph reduced to 660 gph.
Apparently this is what makes these so good.
I heard some commercial aquarums are using them.
The flow rates are listed at...
http://www.3iqventures.com/literature.html
Not a very clear web site so it's tucked away.

[Nolapete]

They aren't new. They had a patent pending for a long time. Their patent was probably recently approved.

I have two. They work well if you have a strong pump, but do reduce the flow rate a lot. In the long term, I wonder if the back pressure will lessen the life of the pump.

I think their design needs a bit of work to remedy this; at least in the ones that I have. Their newer ones may have been improved. It would also be nice to have built-in flow control on them.

[dingo_53]

Ahhh nice to find someone who has first hand knowledge.

Do you think these would be the best option for good wave motion?
I have a 220G tank and want to find the best solution for both ease of use and effectiveness rather than just budget.

How would you compare them to just using power heads?

[legendaryfrog]

If you have 4+ pumps, I'd buy this here professional wavemaker:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4783&N=2004+113782

My fiancee uses it in her 80g office reef tank, and shes says it made a big difference.

these rotating flow diflectors made it even better:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11363&N=2004+113782

[dingo_53]

Thanks for your help. It looks great and I can see it would give planty of movement.

[newsom00]

yeah it should help

[Ace25]

My neighbor bought 1 of these a couple years ago.. didn't work at all, wouldn't occilate. Brought it back to store for replacement.. long story short, 5th time was the charm, first 4 did not work even at the store. Since seeing and dealing with that (I was the one who got my neighbor into fish tanks so I am always helping him) I personally will never buy one. In all fairness, his 5th one, once installed, has worked flawless for 18 months straight now. It was just a bad batch or something but the 60 mile round trips to the LFS 5 different times was not making us happy.