Eco-Wheel

Discussion in 'Product Review Archives' started by Matt Rogers, Feb 17, 2002.

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  1. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Alright, is there anything this won't do?? All without pumps!! Someone please explain this one to me. :-/

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Here is a schematic breakdown:

    [​IMG]


    Now that is different. I would like to see one in action.
     
  4. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    While in Chicago this past week I went to Living Sea Aquarium in Park Ridge on Devon and saw an Eco-Wheel in action.... WOW! :eek:

    I don't even recall what the aquarium it was on looked like or had in it, because I just stared at that Eco-Wheel moving around and around.

    They are basically a giant rotating Algae Turf Scrubber that looks like a bio-wheel with algae all over it. It is fed tank water via an air lift. I am way into the ATS thing right now and I bet this filter would be great and super-saturate the water with Oxygen.

    However it is waaaaaay too much money. One setup in the store with that filter was $5,500! OUch! :p

    The plumbing was insane too. It had the biggest pipes and bulkheads I have ever seen on an aquarium.

    Besides the price, the only other negative thing I can see was it was putting a ton of micro air bubbles in the tank. Maybe with some tuning it would be fine though.

    Overall, very cool. :thumbsup1:
     
  5. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    I found some more on this today:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

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    Specifications - Model 12


    Flowrate (standard)
    gallons per minute 20
    gallons per hour 1,200

    Tank Overturn Rate
    minutes 3.8 to 10
    times per hour 16x to 6x

    Surge Volume (gallons) 4
    Wet/Dry Media Volume (in3) 936

    Algae Scrubber Area (in2) 790

    Capacity of Scrubber (gal.) 500
    Actual Footprint of Eco-Wheel System (in2) 390


    Electrical Requirements One (1) - 120 V Outlet

    Material of Construction

    Wheel Grade 1 PVC
    Wheel Tank Acrylic
    Stand and Canopy Oak, Pine, Custom Hardwoods

    Dimensions - LxWxH (in)
    Acrylic Wheel Tank 19.25" x 19.25" x 33.25"
    Lighting Two (2) - 96W PQ's

    Patents 5,647,983 & 5,755,961 & 6,158,386 and other patents pending

    Warranty Limited Lifetime
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2006
  6. Trickman2

    Trickman2 Bristle Worm

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    I like the fact that you can use one air pump....Anyone know how that works? I don't think I would ever buy one but maybe I work make my own filter that ran off of one air pump. Any Ideas on how they do that?
     
  7. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    You know I didn't get a look at the air pump when I was checking this filter in action - wish I did. :p

    It has to be a big, strong air pump to lift water up the tube. Do a Internet search for 'aquarium air lifts' for more on the concept.
     
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  9. Guest

    Guest Guest

    [quote author=Matt Rogers link=board=Product;num=1014003039;start=0#0 date=02/17/02 at 19:30:38]Alright, is there anything this won't do?? All without pumps!! Someone please explain this one to me. :-/

    [​IMG][/quote]
    if you have seen this filter working, are there problems with micro bubles returning into the tank from the filter. Is this a problem for the coral metabolism/ growth?
     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I am interested in this system; the concept seems relatively simple. I have read some reports of micro bubble problems on the return to the main aquarium. If you have seen a working system, does this seem like a significant problem and will it cause a concern for coral growth?
     
  11. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    The system that I saw working did put a lot of micro and not so micro bubbles in the tank. Most of the time this shouldn't be a problem. In fact, the only circumstance I know of that it would be a problem for is if you have sea-horses.

    I imagine with a little ingenuity, you could find a solution to the bubbles as others have found with sumps and such.
     
  12. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I have built one of these units from scratch, the process took a while to figure out but it works great. Including the air pump, a sweetwater linear, it cost me around $700 including the piping.