DIY "Stream" Style Pump

[ejmeier]

How did you get it to always spin the right way?

On mine, the little bushing thing holds the magnet down, so it will actually run in reverse as well as forward. I have mine hooked to a remote control, so it goes something like this:

click-ON [spins the wrong way]
click-OFF
click-ON[still spins the wrong way]
click-OFF
click-ON[finally gets going the right way]

 

[ejmeier]

Oh also Just curious what size everyones Prop it? The one I have is 1 1/4" but I was looking online and they have a 1 3/4" one.. I was thinking about ordering that one... bigger prop more flow hehe any comments? Ied just have to make my guard out of bigger pipe.

Mine is 1 1/2" I believe. It just barely fits into a 1 1/2" PVC pipe, but it is too close for comfort, so I use a 2" guard pipe.

I was just talking with Roger Vitko (of Tunze) about this, and he expressed concern over the Maxi-Jet burning out with larger propellers. I think this is a valid concern, though I have no way of determining how big is too big. I'll have to see if there is a way to figure out how many watts/amps the MJ is using; a bigger prop may be too much for the little motor to handle.

 

[niko5]

My titanium rod is about 1" longer than my prop/mag assembly so if the prop spins backwards it slides the mag assembly out of the hole enough to stop then it gets sucked back in (mag forces) then trys again. But for some reason Iv noticed 3 out of 5 times it goes the right way first... luck i guess.

Im glad you mentioned aobut the watts/amps I was just out testing taht if got a "Kill A Watt" meter thing.

Normal Maxi Jet
Watt 19
Amp .30
Propie Jet
Watt 17 (Weird huh Its Lower)
Amp .30

Why would the watts be lower? I double checked this too.

And Roger Vitkko acturaly talked to you about this? Is he ok with the mods?

 

[ejmeier]

Im glad you mentioned aobut the watts/amps I was just out testing taht if got a "Kill A Watt" meter thing.

Normal Maxi Jet
Watt 19
Amp .30
Propie Jet
Watt 17 (Weird huh Its Lower)
Amp .30

Why would the watts be lower? I double checked this too.

And Roger Vitkko acturaly talked to you about this? Is he ok with the mods?

I actually approached him first. I really didn't want to drag Tunze into this, but since you asked, I guess I should answer. I figured it was bound to come up eventually, so I asked him what he thought about all of the Stream knock-offs such as this one, and the Reeftec a while back.

Turns out its not patented, so I guess its safe/okay to copy. But as you may already know, there was a "company" that tried this a while back called Reeftec. Their site is no longer up, and I am assuming that they no longer sell the kits anymore, due to their dismal track record. Very few pumps made it past the first few months, and if one made it past a year, it was the exception and not the rule.

IMO, if you want a reliable pump, buy a Tunze. You won't be disappointed. This is sort of just tinkering around with different ideas to see if we can do what has already been done. I bet if you fast forwarded six months and talked to everyone here who made this maxi-jet mod, very few of them would still have a working model.

In the end, its all about what you want. Some do this for fun, others because they want good flow in their aquarium. I think this thread is more for the former types of people rather than the latter. That's JMO.

 

[niko5]

Interesting...

The reason im doing this is because I love creating stuff AND I need more flow but right now just dont have the money to go with a stream. I really think that last creation I made with your idea of supporthing that center shaft like it was ment to is going to work out.. now ofcourse I dont know untill its running for a while so well just see

 

[ejmeier]

I just took out one of my original mods that was running in my sump. It quit after a few days of service. I think it was due to the fact that the impeller had been glued and reglued so many times that it was sort of lopsided.

Anyway, I got some pictures to show what I was talking about with my initial plan with the bushing. It was running in the sump as a test so there is no guard.

BTW, this is how NOT to design one.

 

[ejmeier]

Here's a closeup of the magnet that I drilled out, you can see that it is a fairly simple setup. Note that I also wrapped a few layers of electrical tape around the "bushing" to get a more precise diameter so that it would fit snugly into the MJ1200 body.

 

[niko5]

Thats neat can you see if there is any ware inside the pushing there? I also see how you used the suctioncups now neat.

Just curious you know how the Streams intake portion is bigger then the exit.. do you think thats just so you can put more holes adn have more water intake? I was thinking about getting like a 2" to 1 1/2" bell kind of fitting...

 

[ejmeier]

I just broke off the 3/16" airline shaft, and looked under where the bushing contacted the shaft. There appears to be abrasions along the entire length of the 3/16" airline shaft where it touched the bushing. They weren't as deep as they were when it was just one contact point, but I'm guessing that it was only slowing the inevitable.

Also, the bigger intake sounds like a good idea. That actually is a very good idea as I was about ready to buy another 10' length of pipe. Now all I need to get is one fitting. (Plus, these larger sizes are frequently available in ABS, which, as we all know... is BLACK.)

 

[niko5]

IF you can find an ABS one there let me know... Stores around here think ited be cool to not sale nor even have the slightest clue what ABS pipe is hehe im going to see if i can find one in white pvc adn see how it works.. The more I look at the thing I think i am cutting back some flow on the intake.

Also based on me testing the watts and amps running the prop.. it appears as the maxi jet is running just as it would with the impeller therefore the lifespan should not be affected by this.. wouldent you think?

 

[niko5]

Also Iv got a drill gauge templet thing and according to it that titanium rod is 3/32. And I cant seem to find anyone who sales the rod in 3/32. I guess I could just buy another ground probe hehe

 

[ejmeier]

Also Iv got a drill gauge templet thing and according to it that titanium rod is 3/32. And I cant seem to find anyone who sales the rod in 3/32. I guess I could just buy another ground probe hehe

:lol: I just measured and found the same thing. I can't find any place that has them either. All I can find is type 303 stainless steel, which I don't really trust in SW.

Anyway, since one of my MJ1200 no longer works, I was just thinking of somehow doubling up the extra rod into one, that way I'd at least have one unit to test things out with.

 

[niko5]

go to Doc Fosters and Smith buy the ground probe they have there.. thats the one I used

 

[topjimmy]

Check out a local Bike shop for titanium Bike spokes. That is what I used for my DIY probe.

Later
JimC.

 

[niko5]

Well iv got my bell fitting.. Just wondering if i should cut thin slits in it or stick with the holes?... Whats everyone think?

 

[SaltwaterSensei]

if you can't find the titanium I guess you could use stainless steel and coat it with a thin layer of two part 5 minute epoxy. Its non toxic and water proof once its dried up.

 

[ejmeier]

That grounding probe over at drsfostersmith.com is mocking me. I have never seen such a long and skinny grounding probe before!

Nick - I'd go with slots just because they look more professional to me. Though I was thinking of doing horizontal slits on my next guard, it seems like it would give more open area down at the base where you need it most.

SaltwaterSensei - The only issue I have with the epoxy is that it may very well get rubbed off by the magnet. This is exactly what we are trying to avoid in the first place. I am also looking into a 316 stainless steel rod over at www.smallparts.com but I just don't want to use stainless steel at all if I don't have to.

 

[niko5]

Yes that is the longest ground probe iv ever seen hehe

Well No slits for me.. I cant figure out an easy way to make the slits without either cutting the fitting in the wrong place or loosing a finger err.. so back to holes.. I had to modify the fitting quiet a bit ill get some pictures up later when everything is dry.

I think I may like my first version better this one I cant use zip ties on becuae the fitting way overhands the maxi jet so it has some hotmelt to it.

 

[niko5]

Alright no go on the 1 3/4" larger prop. The maxi jet isent strong enough for it... it spins but when its completely submerged it stops... tried several times.

 

[ejmeier]

Okay, I think this is going to be my project for tomorrow.

I'm going to build a real nice one, I think it will turn out to be somewhat professional looking too. I've got some ideas on the guard fitting, and various other things, and hopefully if it all works out, I should have a nice DIY unit soon.

Now if I can only find that 3/32" rod....

Actually, does anyone know what titanium wire is like? There is 3/32" titanium wire, but I'm guessing that might be a little flimsy. I have no idea what it is like though - solid copper wire is pretty sturdy even though you can bend it to different shapes. The Ti wire might be worth looking into.