DIY Wavebox! (With modded MJ)

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Here is another one that you can buy directly. It outputs 145 GPH. Might be worth a look.

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1124

The only thing is that it doesn't look easily modifiable at a glimpse... have to crack it open and see.

 

[hahnmeister]

sorry fat tony, I saw them, but didnt comment directly. The problem with all of these pumps is that we dont know which are saltwater safe, and which arent. Thos ones you pointed out clearly have exposed metal...

 

[Tigger240]

aninjaatemyshoe those are at harbor freight if you have one by you.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Huh, I wouldn't have thought harbor freight would have them... I think I have one nearby, been meaning to take a look at them. I guess I'll have to check it out and see if it'll work.

 

[celebrityovernight]

i found someone else who did a wavebox. http://media.putfile.com/DIY-Wavebox

it looks like he used a modded mj as well and looks like the mod has been running for quite some time. look at the algae growth on that box!

 

[Bryan]

Bilge pumps used in the boating industry could also be used. They are 12 volt DC and many of them small. Downside is they have a short life span and typically crap out at around 2000 hours.

There was a article years ago about using bilge pumps as a source of water movement in an aquarium . This was before Tunze came up with the prop design for aquarium pumps.

 

[L98-Z]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9120214#post9120214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
The affordable controllable DC pump that didn't exist all this time does now.
http://www.reefshops.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=236

Stick this in a box, tweak the controller, and you have a reiable wavebox for like a $130

Has anyone tried this? I'm pretty certain I could design a timer that would be adjustable and work well, I just don't have a pump that I'd consider reliable. There is also the constant sound of the pump turning off that is an issue, will this pump also cause that sound?

 

[fat-tony]

with a DC pump the current is always going in one direction. There's no clatter of the prop hitting a stopper as with AC pumps (MJ's), but would still have "some" noise.

 

[rcmike]

hi Vinh, that is my wavebox. BTW, I got your other messages. The box is basically like everyone elses here. I used a little giant pump with a carbon shaft and a prop on the end. It is basically like a supercharged maxijet mod. The only downside is the pumps usually only last about 6 months at best. More on how I did it is about halfway down on this page. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...836&perpage=25&highlight=wavebox&pagenumber=2

BTW, the algae grows pretty good inside the wavebox because herbivores can't get to it.

 

[Green Thumb]

Very WELL done!! Ive been looking at this thread for months, glad to see somebody out there is doing it !

 

[rcmike]

If I could get the pumps to last longer I would still be doing it. It gets expensive having to replace $50 pumps every 6 months.

 

[celebrityovernight]

awesome!!! hahaha. i'm so glad i got a hold of you. from my understanding, the maxijets are pretty bulletproof. i'll try this once i get home and see how long it'll last.

 

[celebrityovernight]

oh btw mike, thanks for chiming in. oh yeah, does the little giant always start in the right direction?

 

[rcmike]

Yes, it only runs one way.

 

[Duby]

They sell a DC transfer pump at Home Depot, Lowes too probably. It's special order and I don't know if it's submersible. Might help, might not.

 

[Tigger240]

i think ive come up with a good mod to this mod, and will be putting my ideas into use. i will post when things are ironed out 100% to share with everyone.

 

[Tigger240]

rc mike do you have a model number/link of the little giant pump?

 

[ivgonmad]

has anybody ever seen the Wave 2k wave boxes?

 

[rcmike]

No I don't. Actually I am not totally sure it was a little giant. I was using the little giant pumps in DIY reeftecs but also tried a couple of Beckett pumps and another brand or two trying to find one that would last. They all pumped about the same amount of water and lasted about as long.

 

[celebrityovernight]

mike, what type of timer do you have the mods running on?