DIY Wavebox! (With modded MJ)
- Thread starter smcnally
- Start date
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
I just bought the TAAM wavemaker, so I'll report on whether or not it would be good for this application when I get it.
HELIREEFER
New member
smcnally? Is the version 2 wavebox video on the creston controller or the taam mvt wavemaker???
has anyone tried the taam yet, also what about the taam and a koralia pump mounted in a box, no turn on turn off clacking
has anyone tried the taam yet, also what about the taam and a koralia pump mounted in a box, no turn on turn off clacking
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
I'm not convinced that the pump has to turn off entirely for this to work. All the prop essentially does is create a pressure difference between the water in the box and the water in the tank. This pressure difference would be a function of the speed of the prop (among other things). The pressure is also a function of the difference in heights of the water in the tank and the water in the box.
Now say you had a deep wavebox with the prop going at a certain speed. The water level in the box would drop down to an equilibrium point (assuming the box was deep enough) and go no further. This is because the pressure that the prop is creating is equal to the pressure of the tank water pushing back inside. If you slow down the prop, the equilibrium point will be a bit higher.
I don't really know what these equilibrium points are for the wavebox that was created. One thing is certain, however, is that it is possible to design a wavebox with a variable speed prop pump that does not entirely shut off as it cycles.
Now say you had a deep wavebox with the prop going at a certain speed. The water level in the box would drop down to an equilibrium point (assuming the box was deep enough) and go no further. This is because the pressure that the prop is creating is equal to the pressure of the tank water pushing back inside. If you slow down the prop, the equilibrium point will be a bit higher.
I don't really know what these equilibrium points are for the wavebox that was created. One thing is certain, however, is that it is possible to design a wavebox with a variable speed prop pump that does not entirely shut off as it cycles.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
I should also meantion that it will probably be very difficult to make the Seio controller work with this. From my understanding, it only has two speed settings, which would be very difficult to work with. Furthermore, the minimum cycle time is like 5 seconds. These only typically work around 1 second or less in cycle time for a fairly large aquarium. You'd need a huge aquarium to pull off that cycle time.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
I wouldnt be looking at controlling the MJ pump on this. With a tunze its a different story, but with MJs and such, there are better options. One, for instance, would be to simply have a rotating valve system on the box that would block the MJ from taking in (and pushing out water) and open up another valve letting water into the box. A simple timing motor with a multi port sinusoidal valve would get this done. Then the MJ could be left to run constantly while the valve system determines the flow in and out of the box.
OnlyCrimson
New member
I was thinking today. It would be possible to build your own tank and have built in wave boxes. Just port the tank and adhere the box right outside of it. Seems like it could work.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
The way that I'm tackling this problem is to try the air pump caisson method described in an earlier thread. My big hurdles are to find an adequate/low noise air pump, a good controller for timing, and the most difficult problem: a solenoid that allows good air flow and can withstand the salt spray. People feel this will make alot of noise, however I've sorta tried this out alread (minus the solenoid) and it was silent.
I have thought more about the air method I previously proposed and still think it would work. One limiting factor I see is the diameter of tubing to allow the air to exhaust. 1/4 inch tube is far too small, I believe 1/2 should work even for larger scale applications. The problem I see if you need a pump with atleast a 1/2 inch port on it. If a proper air pump can be foudn I think it could easily be timed on a chauvet lighting timer. As for salt spray you could set up some kind of condensing loop (ie. a loop of tubing lower then the top of the aquarium with the pump at a height higher above the aquarium) which will allow the moist salt air to collect as it would be too heavy to carry back up the tube to the pump. This should help maximize pump life, and would just need to be cleaned out occassionally. I have created a test experiment with a 5 gallon tank and a 16 oz water bottle, and was able to create 2-3 inch waves that would splash out of the tank. I did this experiment with just blowing on the tubing, but the theory was there and worked.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
The supply air line does not need to be 1/2", just the exhaust. My experiment involved a decent sized pump, a plastic container, and some silicone tubing. I ran a line into the box from the pump and a line out of the box. To create the waves I repeatedly closed and opened the exhaust line. I noticed immediately that the exhaust needs to be bigger than the 1/8" tubing.
I was able to find a solenoid that I think may work. It's a 3/8th" polycarbonate direct-acting solenoid valve (I think used for the food industry). I think I may be able to make that work. If my project works, I'll have reproduced what costs $500 for just over $100.
I was able to find a solenoid that I think may work. It's a 3/8th" polycarbonate direct-acting solenoid valve (I think used for the food industry). I think I may be able to make that work. If my project works, I'll have reproduced what costs $500 for just over $100.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Yeah, that is the design I'm basing my idea on. He built one for a rather large tank and used an oversized air pump and a rather large diy solenoid. That is the main reason why it was noisy.
The noise factor is a concern, but I don't think it will be that bad in the end.
The noise factor is a concern, but I don't think it will be that bad in the end.
HELIREEFER
New member
I think i was misunderstood, I wasn't talking about using a seio wavemaker on this idea. I was asking if anyone had tried the TAAM MVT wavemaker linked to in the first or second page of thread.
here is the link http://www.exoticfish.com/details.cfm?cat=0|1978|1963|1908|0&id=42463&
This with a Koralia pump in a box might have a shot
here is the link http://www.exoticfish.com/details.cfm?cat=0|1978|1963|1908|0&id=42463&
This with a Koralia pump in a box might have a shot
