Modification of Maxijet Powerhead
- Thread starter reef92109
- Start date
rottielover
Active member
LobsterOfJustice - Looks like you have the exact same tank rim I have... I hope I'm not too late posting this, the clips WILL WORK!!!!!!! trust me, I didn't think so either, but a buddy from my Local reef club came over and showed me... He just pried the hook end apart and slipped it over the rim.. I felt a little dumb when he just poped the things right on there after I said it wouldn't work...
They won't close back up completely but it does work, If you haven't already cut them up I can take a pic for you...
They won't close back up completely but it does work, If you haven't already cut them up I can take a pic for you...
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
It's not too late. I am at the moment waiting for my canopy to arrive, which is why I had not attached them into it yet. You can see in the pictures I used suction cups and duct taped the wire to the side of the tank in the hopes of it holding the PH up for long enough for me to fix the problem if the suction cups failed.
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
Another Mod:
I got ****ed that the front half of my tank was "naked" (no sand) and wanted a little more control over the flow. I cut one vertical slit on each side of the output of the pump, and cut more slits in the back half of the flow diverter. I then slid the diverter right into the powerhead. The flow still switches from side to side, but not as much. But I'm still happy with the flow. I moved all the sand back and am waiting to see if this helps... hopefully this mod will keep the flow from hitting the bottom and messing up my sand. I didnt have the camera with me when I did the mod but here are some afterwards pictures:
I got ****ed that the front half of my tank was "naked" (no sand) and wanted a little more control over the flow. I cut one vertical slit on each side of the output of the pump, and cut more slits in the back half of the flow diverter. I then slid the diverter right into the powerhead. The flow still switches from side to side, but not as much. But I'm still happy with the flow. I moved all the sand back and am waiting to see if this helps... hopefully this mod will keep the flow from hitting the bottom and messing up my sand. I didnt have the camera with me when I did the mod but here are some afterwards pictures:
Herbert T. Kornfeld
In Memoriam
Whats with the obsession with 'totally random current'? Thats not how things are in nature. There are many types of flow in a reef, but none like that. Most corals do fine with just a good strong laminar flow in one direction. This is actually the most common flow that a coral will experience in the wild. Second most, and the one that seems to be a source of so much innovation....is the back and forth current, or just on/off current. The current doesnt change direction...it goes back and forth...not left right up down back forth. Seems like a little overkill to be trying to get 'totally random currents' in a reeftank.
"Even with the wavemaker, the flow is not truly random unless you do this mod."
-LobsterofJustice
...yeah, so what...why would you want anything more than a back and forth or on/off current that a wavemaker/pump combo provides? Thats how it is in nature. Wave go back and forth...not in random directions.
"Even with the wavemaker, the flow is not truly random unless you do this mod."
-LobsterofJustice
...yeah, so what...why would you want anything more than a back and forth or on/off current that a wavemaker/pump combo provides? Thats how it is in nature. Wave go back and forth...not in random directions.
Charliereef
New member
rasyid said:
Hi
You need to have a timer, otherwise your modification will be useless.
The reason for the modification is to make the PH flow to change direction.
mrkrispy
New member
also here is a thread I started in the DIY forum with several Maxijet mod threads and the remora mod thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=723686
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=723686
NorthernCF
Premium Member
Although I prefer laminar flow in my tanks, there are reasons one may want random flow.
1) get more detrius up and out vs piles stuck in a corner
2) cool wavy action on corals and fish
3)Limited pump funds to get flow to all parts of the tank
4) Debatably, some corals may grow fuller by getting flow from multiple directions?
OK 4 is iffy... but the first three are strong.
1) get more detrius up and out vs piles stuck in a corner
2) cool wavy action on corals and fish
3)Limited pump funds to get flow to all parts of the tank
4) Debatably, some corals may grow fuller by getting flow from multiple directions?
OK 4 is iffy... but the first three are strong.
Herbert T. Kornfeld
In Memoriam
Why dont you just smack a hydor flo on a MJ1200? Waaay better random flow distribution...if you want to call it that. The hydor rotates the flow in a 45degree cone....so it can hit every corner of the tank...and on a MJ1200, the head-loss is minimal...no timer needed. $13 for one and rather well made (better than a SCWD, thats for sure).
Oh, and Im totally for random flow of sorts, but some take it a little too far...the reef does have dead-zones, and usually the flow just alternates back and forth in most areas...if that. So it just seems a little excessive to have your flow changing to come from every angle possible and at random timing...
Oh, and Im totally for random flow of sorts, but some take it a little too far...the reef does have dead-zones, and usually the flow just alternates back and forth in most areas...if that. So it just seems a little excessive to have your flow changing to come from every angle possible and at random timing...
NorthernCF
Premium Member
Yes, there are many ways to skin a cat.
I think we all realize that.
I am not sure you realize folks have fun trying different methods... even though we know there are other methods already available. Or, perhaps you are just in troll mode?
I think we all realize that.
I am not sure you realize folks have fun trying different methods... even though we know there are other methods already available. Or, perhaps you are just in troll mode?
mrkrispy
New member
coupled with a MJ a hydor is HUGE in a 20L. I have 3 maxijets in my tank, add three hydors and that is $40. Three immense objects taking up a good chunk of real estate> That would be the same price as my lighting timer, without the benefit of breaks in current. (it should go without saying that it is bad enogh having 3 powerheads in a small thank heh heh). Oh, and they are BIG!
Herbert T. Kornfeld,
I like how you question assumptions made by herds of reefers (e.g. about flow through sump). You make a good a point here about "natural" wave patterns. However, I assume the goal here is not to mimic the ocean but to compensate for our lack of one.
Here's my question. Will laminar flow if it's fairly well distributed, be enough for filtration and delivery of nutrients to filter feeders?
Your suggestion (my inference?) that dead spots might be ok in the captive reef sounds like heresy, but maybe that's right. Should we learn to live with a few minor dead spots? Are we going overboard on tank flow in general?
I know I can save a lot of money by going low-tech: good ole reliable turkey baster. Gives me something to do once everything else about the reef is automated. At least until someone invents the Master Baster 2000, 200 watt 1/2 hp power assisted baste-o-matic, with reefer-inspired mods and upgrades, selling for $179 at Big Al's.
I like how you question assumptions made by herds of reefers (e.g. about flow through sump). You make a good a point here about "natural" wave patterns. However, I assume the goal here is not to mimic the ocean but to compensate for our lack of one.
Here's my question. Will laminar flow if it's fairly well distributed, be enough for filtration and delivery of nutrients to filter feeders?
Your suggestion (my inference?) that dead spots might be ok in the captive reef sounds like heresy, but maybe that's right. Should we learn to live with a few minor dead spots? Are we going overboard on tank flow in general?
I know I can save a lot of money by going low-tech: good ole reliable turkey baster. Gives me something to do once everything else about the reef is automated. At least until someone invents the Master Baster 2000, 200 watt 1/2 hp power assisted baste-o-matic, with reefer-inspired mods and upgrades, selling for $179 at Big Al's.
NorthernCF
Premium Member
Been done before... Cheech and Chong INC.
Herbert T. Kornfeld
In Memoriam
NorthernCF, No, I dont 'troll', but one thing that makes me want to respond more to a thread is if I feel something is being left out of the picture that is worth consideration.
thanks stgla, your question is a good one. Dead zones in general are a bad idea, but not always. As for your first question, a well distributed lateral flow is often enough for most tanks, but many corals prefer alternating current of some sort. 'Back and forth' is usually enough at that, and sometimes simply flow and then a pause is all (surge then calm).
In nature, dead zones are important because its where fish prefer to sleep. In our tanks, a night cycle is a good idea for this since fish cant simply swim to another zone.
In a captive reef, one could discover a dead zone to be an advantage for detritus removal. In feshwater aquariums, the gravel is often sloped to induce a 'downhill' movement to mulm, where it is easily sucked up at the bottom. A captive reef could have a similar setup. Many reefers use a mulm trap in the sump, but there is no reason why that couldnt be in the aquarium if done properly. Now that you mention it, I have two dead zones in one reef of mine that makes for easy spot removal of dirt on a weekly basis. These two places are at either end of the tank right under the pump outlet bulkheads near the bottom sand...but the sand here doesnt get any direct flow...and mulm builds up under there fast. This makes them preferred spots for scavengers and sand sifters as well...and then they can easily process everything further. This is often the only place I have to use the hose on to clean up when I do a water change. My fish also tend to sleep there as well, since the rocks are there and the flow is minimal compared to the rest of this tank. This would seem better than just a sediment trap in the sump because critters can comtinue to cultivate and process the organics, rather than just leave them until I clean it up.
thanks stgla, your question is a good one. Dead zones in general are a bad idea, but not always. As for your first question, a well distributed lateral flow is often enough for most tanks, but many corals prefer alternating current of some sort. 'Back and forth' is usually enough at that, and sometimes simply flow and then a pause is all (surge then calm).
In nature, dead zones are important because its where fish prefer to sleep. In our tanks, a night cycle is a good idea for this since fish cant simply swim to another zone.
In a captive reef, one could discover a dead zone to be an advantage for detritus removal. In feshwater aquariums, the gravel is often sloped to induce a 'downhill' movement to mulm, where it is easily sucked up at the bottom. A captive reef could have a similar setup. Many reefers use a mulm trap in the sump, but there is no reason why that couldnt be in the aquarium if done properly. Now that you mention it, I have two dead zones in one reef of mine that makes for easy spot removal of dirt on a weekly basis. These two places are at either end of the tank right under the pump outlet bulkheads near the bottom sand...but the sand here doesnt get any direct flow...and mulm builds up under there fast. This makes them preferred spots for scavengers and sand sifters as well...and then they can easily process everything further. This is often the only place I have to use the hose on to clean up when I do a water change. My fish also tend to sleep there as well, since the rocks are there and the flow is minimal compared to the rest of this tank. This would seem better than just a sediment trap in the sump because critters can comtinue to cultivate and process the organics, rather than just leave them until I clean it up.
