Reef-Rat Update

[ReefVan]

Needed something to do this weekend

... so I finished up this project to 99.9%. The only thing left is to get a better linkage at a RC hobby shop and run it in the test bin for a few weeks.

Finished Unit - Side

Finished Unit - Frontal

Drive Mechanism - 1

Drive Mechanism - 2

Drive Mechanism -3

Enjoy

Van 8)

 

[H20ENG]

Nice ride, Van! And no pesky o-rings!

 

[ReefVan]

Hi Chris,

Yep I think this one will work out real nice. The motor I used in this unit is a new product from Hansen Corp, pulls only .90 watts and runs at 1 rpm, 110vac, called the PMAC Syncron.

I let it run for 10 hours and it wasn't even warm to the touch. Uses plastic gears impregnated with teflon, it's quiet and self-lubricating. Really puts out the torque though.

Will update after I pick up a drive linkage with ball swivels at each end.

No more seals to leak, all rigid pipe except for the Jet-Nozzle which swivels on two nylon screws.

Added an on/off switch so you can stop the unit in any position without having to yank the power cord.

Used an aluminum motor mount as a primary heat-sink for the motor so it'll run cooler.

Used a three-prong power cord so that I've got the motor / unit grounded for safety.

This unit was a lot easier and less time consuming to build than the Sea-Squirrel and I've tried some new fabrication tricks that made it sturdier and go together faster.

Am pretty happy about how well it turned out. Have a bunch to build for a local reef maintainer, maybe they'll pay for that 220 I'm dreamin' about.

Van

 

[RhumbRunner]

ReefVan - any chance those of us who just stumbled on to this could get a description of what it is (appears to be occilating water return?) or a link to a thread that does same?

Thanks,

 

[ReefVan]

RhumbRunner,

It's an oscillating water return as you mentioned. Uses 1" pvc plumbing and a 1 3/4" Jet Nozzle to divert flow.

Basically can do the same as a Sea-Swirl without the o-rings and at a much lower cost.

Van

 

[Lunchbucket]

geeze dude you NEVER quit do you.

*cough* make a smaller one for me *cough* *cough*

Lunchbucket

 

[ReefVan]

Lunchbucket,

*cough* make a smaller one for me *cough* *cough*

*cough* How small? *cough* *cough*

Isn't 1.0" dia @ 1100 gph small enough?

You obviously need a bigger pump, if you can't blow over corals with this in a 4 ft tank, then obviously you don't have enough flow...

All kidding aside, I don't know if it's worth the time and effort to build this in a 3/4" size.

Everything would be the same size except for the piping dia, therefore I may just add a restrictor to the outlet pipe to increase the flow rate for those with a smaller pump.

Van

 

[Lunchbucket]

3/4" reducer would work. just looking for options on my 20H OH GOD OF DIY!! that thing rocks. you just making them for yourself or others too

Lunchbucket

 

[mracroman]

are you selling then yet, you need a test market

 

[ReefVan]

Thanks for the invitation,

I'll be testing for a few weeks before I can definitively decide what to do. No use putting something out there if it isn't proven.

Called the law of diminishing returns, in my case I don't want any returns at all! LOL

Van

 

[mracroman]

great, what sort of price range are you looking at?

 

[ReefVan]

If I decide to go that way, I'll get some volume pricing on parts and see after that.

Van

 

[melev]

Very Cool.

 

[Jamesurq]

very, very cool.....

If you decide to sell them. Depending on price, I might have to get a couple...

 

[H20ENG]

If you use a threaded end at the jet, I see all sorts of neat "tips" you could run.

 

[ReefVan]

Well I did the old garage water bin test today at 1100 gph with a SEN 900 @ 6 inches of head.

Flawless operation, worked like a charm. :dance: This could double as a fire hose. :lol:

I'm wondering what the max flow would have to be before I would get distortion on the drive-shaft?

Doesn't really matter I guess, I'm happy with it as it is. Anyone putting over 1100 gph through this thing would probably bowl over all the corals in the tank anyway.

Might be good for a salmon pool?

Van

 

[Jamesurq]

me wantum detailed parts list.

 

[Konadog]

OH Man I like that :thumbsup: I would definitely like a part list and supplier of said parts.

 

[Lunchbucket]

i would definately like one you RULE

Lunchbucket

 

[RhumbRunner]

ReefVan - hellofagood idea! If it doesn't use any 'O' rings, can I take it that the horizontal exhaust pipe movement causes the horizontal input pipe to move in sync? Does this require that it be connected to flexible tubing rather than rigid plumbing? If so, does that mean a large loop of tubing is necessary to accomodate the flex?

Thanks again for a cool idea.