Hydra Twist Flow Accelerators....Any Opinions?

Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
So my tank has a big return pump (reflow Dart w/ 3600gph) and I don't use any powerheads. The return pump goes to a splash bar over the back of the tank with four 3/4" loc lines, with most of them split two ways (for a total of eight 1/2" locklines). I've got a couple of them going deeper into the tank to create more flow towards the bottom.

My flow though the tank good, but I'm considering just going with four 3/4" loc lines with one of the Hydra Twists on each. I like the idea of the randomized flow. Has anyone here tried these?
 
you mean the hydor rotating thingies? I tried them, it limits the flow and would occasionally pop off, need a better way to secure them I guess.
 
I have wanted to try them, but local sources are scarce, they come from japan, and only a one or two of the options are available. My main concern is noise from the spinner, but will be interested to hear how they turn out, for $20 they are probably worth the gamble to try.
 
yeah, I might look into them, I've got a dart powering my 180, but it's really for movement from the sump and fuge to the tank, I've got 3 MP40's going, so I dont need the extra flow or wouldn't care if it limited the flow, but the randomnesss intrigues me. I'm using lockline now and it would be a simple swap out for me. I'd probably get just two, as the other two nozzles are piped to the bottom back of the tank to elminate deadspots, etc...

I even have my dart throttled back a bit as well. Hopefully someone here has used them. Maybe post on the RC equipment forum, since that grabs a huge global audience.

Did you see the feedback on these on the marine depot site? I pasted them below:

Comments:This product is great for randomizing and accelerating flow. This being said, don't aggrandize your expectations as to what this actually does. The acceleration only increased the flow maybe 30%-40% which is what I needed for my tank. Some people's expectations for these products are that it will triple their flow rates which is simply unrealistic. It does what it is supposed to do.

Comments:This product was easy to install up and working in minutes and really does a fantastic job. I would recommend this to every reefer

Comments:I would not recommend this product as a true flow accelerator since the vortex nozzle actually slows down the flow due to water being pushed threw a fan type mechanism to make the nozzle turn. Seems like a good product to if you are looking for more random flow however. I did my test pushing about 300 gph threw the unit. Perhaps at a higher flow rate it would perform better? I will try upgrading my pump instead to obtain better flow.
 
I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that it will be all or none? If they restrict flow and you only use them on two out of four returns, I'm guessing the flow will just increase out of the other two returns and the accelerators will be underpowered.
 
Sawdonkey said:
I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that it will be all or none? If they restrict flow and you only use them on two out of four returns, I'm guessing the flow will just increase out of the other two returns and the accelerators will be underpowered.
Click to expand...

you might be right, since these are based on pressure, they are a modified penductor, so I guess I'd need to change out the other two...
 
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