My plan for improved water movement... any advice?

[JeffersonReef]

Ok, I have decided that I need to improve the water movement in my tank. I am currently using a Mag 12 return pump (about 4.5' head), which allegedly should be yeilding 910 - 1100 gph with that much head... but I seriously doubt it! It is Teed off to two return lines, each with one of those dual output lock-line doo-hickeys. I have removed all other powerheads. Heres my plan:

1 - I will add 2 of the MJ1200 mods, one on either side of the tank. I will put those on one of those natural wave timers. (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4793&N=2004+113782)

2 - I will remove the tee from my return line, and have it run to a pvc spray bar. Im not sure where would be the best place to place the spray bar yet... I was thinking of having a 2' piece of pvc mounted in the top-back-center corner of the tank, pointing somewhat downward... or should I keep the 2 lock-line returns?

3 - (NOT SURE IF THIS WOULD BE WORTHWHILE OR NOT...) I will also add 2 of those small Ehiem Aqua Ball power heads in each corner of the tank with a Hydor Flo attachment for some laminar movement.

What do you think?

 

[JeffersonReef]

BTW.. its a reef tank. Contains and/or will contain SPS, softies, etc...

 

[DRC69]

Keep the the Loc-Line. Bigger return pump maybe to start with.
Buy a Red Sea Pro timer they work well and NO fire un-like the other one(Wave-Timer) has in the pass.
You can find a good use one here on RC.
Skip the ehiem powerheads.
Use 3 or 4 MJ900 or 1200. Tank size????? I use 3 MJ1200 on a 90 now, good movement.
JMO

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8405002#post8405002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DRC69
Keep the the Loc-Line. Bigger return pump maybe to start with.
Buy a Red Sea Pro timer they work well and NO fire un-like the other one(Wave-Timer) has in the pass.
You can find a good use one here on RC.
Skip the ehiem powerheads.
Use 3 or 4 MJ900 or 1200. Tank size????? I use 3 MJ1200 on a 90 now, good movement.
JMO

Is that the MJ1200 "MOD"? I thought that 2 of those would be way more than enough water movement.. since they appear to get something like 2000gph. I guess the more flow, the merrier, though!

Thanks for the tip on the timer, I will look into the red sea one. any one have one for sale?

I dont really want to get a bigger return pump... my sump is small, so I really dont want much more water running through there... may have issues with micro bubbles.

Any other thoughts, anyone?

 

[HenryTran]

keep the return pump as it is, add two modded 1200 and you should be good. i just placed 2 of those in my tank and believe me, it moves water. my softies don't like it too much right now, but i think they'll get use to it.

 

[HenryTran]

don't put the modded maxijet on the timer, from what i heard it will ruin the prop much faster and don't always start.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8405166#post8405166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefguy714
don't put the modded maxijet on the timer, from what i heard it will ruin the prop much faster and don't always start.

Thanks for the heads up. I really wanted to create some wave-like patterns. Maybe I will attach a SCWD to my return. Good or bad idea? Or does anyone have any other ideas/thoughts/alternatives to the wave timers?

 

[JeffersonReef]

Or.. maybe I could do two modded 900's?

 

[DRC69]

I wasn't reading to close on the MJ1200 Mods sorry.
I just mods the stock ones for better flow from the nozzle. Works ok.
The cost of the other ones seem a bit-high for a PH that only cost $17.00 new plus the cost of the kit which is about $30.00 or $40.00 each???
Maybe a couple of Seio 1100 or 1500 on there NEW timer???

 

[rscott76]

the mod kits are so worth it for something that looks decent and puts out that much flow. a stock MJ with the nozzle cut off doesnt hold a candle to prop-modded one. i have 2 in the back aimed down towards the bottom so anything that settles settles only in one spot. Makes all the poop easy to siphon off (barebottom tank)

 

[JeffersonReef]

LOL. he said poop. :bum:

 

[rockindacheeks]

If you want less flow add the SCWD. They are flow KILLERS!! get an OM Squirt instead of the SCWD you'll be happy. thats what im doing.

 

[Corriander]

I am planning to use six MJ1200 w/ mods on a tank I am building and am faced with a similar dilemma. An idea I will be trying out is building a pump oscillator that operates on the same principal as the rotating assembly of an engine. The ‘crankshaft’ will be made out of acrylic sheet and rod housed in a PVC tube and driven by a 1RPM or slower motor. The connecting rods will be sheet acrylic and I will be using rods through runners in the PVC wall (hopefully reducing the amount of muck that can get in the assembly) that attach to the pump. A second stationary mount on the pump will act as the pivot point. The crank diameter with control travel distance and determine the degrees of oscillation. By creating an adjustable mount point on the pump, I can vary the degrees of oscillation. Having three MJ1200’s per assembly, I can use the degrees on the crankshaft to produce randomized flow.

Creating a similar unit for a single MJ should be much easier. I can draw up some plans if you want to give it a try.

 

[Corriander]

Link to someone who already did a DIY MJ mod oscillator . . .

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=799971

 

[SurfOnH20]

Reefguy,
I just purchased the maxi jet mod for my 1200. Do you run your jets 24/7 ? How does the prop get damaged when you hook it up to a timer? Just curious, I didn't want my jets runnig 24/7 and give the tank a rest during pm hours.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8406176#post8406176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SurfOnH20
Reefguy,
I just purchased the maxi jet mod for my 1200. Do you run your jets 24/7 ? How does the prop get damaged when you hook it up to a timer? Just curious, I didn't want my jets runnig 24/7 and give the tank a rest during pm hours.

I was wondering the same. MJ makes a wave timer, so im suprised, since I would assume that meant that they are designed to work on a timer. can anyone elaborate/clarify?

-TJ

 

[Corriander]

Unmodified MJ's (and many other aquarium pumps) work on a timer becuase they have an impeller that can turn either direction. They turn on, they spin, they pump.

Modified MJ's use a propeller that must turn a specific direction to push water. The purpose of the stopper on the MJ Mod is make sure it rotates the correct direction.

Turning the unit on and off will cause the unit to bump in to the stopper reapetedly (making a clacking noise every time). This puts wear on all the parts and will lead to premature wear, if not breakage.

 

[SurfOnH20]

Corriander,
Thx for the reply. That makes sense..Is there a device that can adjust electrical voltage flow (example, ceiling fan, dimming switches,etc) which the maxi jet can plug into to without stopping the pump all together? I think this mj mod is a great idea at good price then buying a Tunze type pump. There got to be some way the pump speeds can be adjusted.

antjefferson,
I dont mean to piggyback on your thread, but it looks like we are going in the same direction with this.

 

[JeffersonReef]

its all good... i am curious too. Hopefully someone knows of an alternative!

 

[laverda]

The hydro flows are neet in a small tank, but it takes nothing for them to stop working. The smallest little snail will do it.
From what I have heard the SCWDs will not last long on a bigger pump. OceanMotions Squirt are simple and reliable.
Considering the price of the mods, it seams like the Sieos make more sense then moded MJs. Unless the MJs are putting out way more flow or you already have some.