Reef-Rat Update
- Thread starter ReefVan
- Start date
ReefVan
New member
Hi Greg,Well, in the fall I'll probably set up the 220 in the basement as a reef - big big reef.
I've got a 66 reef now, so this is big, big for me. Once the new tank is up and running for a few weeks I'll transfer over all the stuff and shut down the 66. I promised......
I didn't get the chance to see his 265 yet, as I've been too busy with vacation and building Rats. Three of them are going on his 265, two on a closed loop and one on his return.
I'm looking forward to seeing it though, knowing Matt it would be very nice. He has a talent for picking up nice pieces.
Van
Toutouche
Premium Member
Van,
Ahh!!!! So he's going to be using YOUR rats??!! He told me he was going to add some closed loops.
Yeah, his tank is very "pretty" looking ( honestly, it's the first word that popped into my mind when I saw it..., VERY colorful!!!!). He doesn't have as many close-knit SPS corals as he did, but he has a new type of look going and you will be very impressed. As you know, he lost most of his SPS, but when you see the tank, you'll wonder what's missing??!!!
I can't wait to do MY upgrade. I'm still playing with the dimensions, but my goal would be a 72" to 80" L x 30"to 36"H x 28"D tank. I currenty have a 125 gal and the new one will go in the same place. Still viewable from both sides. Are you ever in the West Island during the evenings or weekends? I wouldn't mind showing you my current tank and most of all I would like to finally meet you one day. Your name comes up everywhere in this city whenever I talk to people ( it's a small circle we run in and basically everyone knows of everyone else). I also have a few questions I'd like to ask you in person.
Ahh!!!! So he's going to be using YOUR rats??!! He told me he was going to add some closed loops.
Yeah, his tank is very "pretty" looking ( honestly, it's the first word that popped into my mind when I saw it..., VERY colorful!!!!). He doesn't have as many close-knit SPS corals as he did, but he has a new type of look going and you will be very impressed. As you know, he lost most of his SPS, but when you see the tank, you'll wonder what's missing??!!!
I can't wait to do MY upgrade. I'm still playing with the dimensions, but my goal would be a 72" to 80" L x 30"to 36"H x 28"D tank. I currenty have a 125 gal and the new one will go in the same place. Still viewable from both sides. Are you ever in the West Island during the evenings or weekends? I wouldn't mind showing you my current tank and most of all I would like to finally meet you one day. Your name comes up everywhere in this city whenever I talk to people ( it's a small circle we run in and basically everyone knows of everyone else). I also have a few questions I'd like to ask you in person.
ReefVan
New member
Hi Again,Another update so you can see the HP (High Pressure) nozzle mod that Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m trying out.
This mod or option, if you wish, will allow Reef-Rat use with lower volume pumps and if the theory is correct, boost the outlet pressure for some more oomphââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
If used with a high volume pump, the flow will probably be Sps flesh peelableââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
Regular Reef-Rat nozzle ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 1.030ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ i.d
HP Reef-Rat nozzle ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 0.710ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ i.d
Side by side head-on visual comparison of regular and HP nozzles
2 DW HP & 1 Std HP Jet-Nozzle assemblies ready for mounting and testing
Van
Toutouche
Premium Member
Van,
Kinda looks like a piece of pipe stuck inside to decrease the I.D., correct???
Do you by any chance ever go to the MASO meetings in Ottawa? Myself, Vince, and another guy named Erik should be going ( there's one planned for either Aug 23rd, or 24th). If you're there too, it'd be nice to finally meet you!!!
Kinda looks like a piece of pipe stuck inside to decrease the I.D., correct???
Do you by any chance ever go to the MASO meetings in Ottawa? Myself, Vince, and another guy named Erik should be going ( there's one planned for either Aug 23rd, or 24th). If you're there too, it'd be nice to finally meet you!!!
ReefVan
New member
Yep,Used some 3/4" sch80 polypro piping, machined it down on the o.d a bit for a nice slip fit and bingo.
Makes existing and future Reef-Rats retro-fittable for those who ever want to mod them to a HP version.
Nope, haven't been the the MASO meetings yet. No time right now...
Next week is back to work after 5 weeks of vacation.
OMG what a bummer, could get used to this life of laying in the sun by the pool and drinking cold beer. I'll call you when I'm back at work, I'm close by so we can get together soon for a pow-wow.
Van
Toutouche
Premium Member
Van,
Yeah, I hear your name everywhere but have never met you yet. I sometimes think your just a figmant of people's imagination. I live just off of Boul. St. Jean and if ever you're in the neighbourhood, just call me and see if I'm home and passby. I'll PM you my number.
By the way, lucky you on the vacation. I just changed jobs this past spring and didn't really get much time off.
Yeah, I hear your name everywhere but have never met you yet. I sometimes think your just a figmant of people's imagination. I live just off of Boul. St. Jean and if ever you're in the neighbourhood, just call me and see if I'm home and passby. I'll PM you my number.
By the way, lucky you on the vacation. I just changed jobs this past spring and didn't really get much time off.
Lunchbucket
Premium Member
hmm looks interesting as usual. i REALLY need a new tank so i can hook up a reef-rat 
Lunchbucket
Lunchbucket
Lunchbucket
Premium Member
Van - yeah i NEED a bigger tank but it WILL NOT HAPPEN for quite a while!! being my last year in grad school $$ and moving are issues. i am gone ALL spring semester (except for comming home when i want to 5hr drive prolly) so i don't need any more worrying about a bigger tank!!
once i get done in may i might go back for 2 more years so i doubt it will happen before then. i need to figure out the job and moving situation before i go upgrading!!
the 400w on the 20H really isn't that bad. my 1/10th Pacific coast chiller hits it EASY!!
Lunchbucket
5hr drive prolly) so i don't need any more worrying about a bigger tank!! once i get done in may i might go back for 2 more years
so i doubt it will happen before then. i need to figure out the job and moving situation before i go upgrading!!the 400w on the 20H really isn't that bad. my 1/10th Pacific coast chiller hits it EASY!!
Lunchbucket
ReefVan
New member
Hi Nelson,Everything is still humming away fine 24/7 and thanks for the kind words.
Basically I figure if you got some good ideas that can be shared with others, it's worth the effort to post it and get to touch base with others here on RC.
I've made new friends here and I guess that's one of the great things about it as well.
Toutouche came over last nite for a visit to the Rat Werks, LOL, gave me some great input and I'll be busy in the development shop again next month.
Finally met that guy after all this time living only 45 minutes drive away.
Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.
Van
kstockman
New member
Very cool and I will PM you for the parts list if you don't mind.
I have and idea for a second generation reef rat that my or may not work. With this swivel design, there should not really be a reason that the rotation action could not only be back and forth but also up and down. You could mount a second motor (set at a different rpm than the first) which moves the current up and down. If they are set at different RPMs then should should get some sort of random up and down/back and forth action going.
I have not really thought out all of the mechanic of it and it may be too much of a PITA, but it could work.
I have and idea for a second generation reef rat that my or may not work. With this swivel design, there should not really be a reason that the rotation action could not only be back and forth but also up and down. You could mount a second motor (set at a different rpm than the first) which moves the current up and down. If they are set at different RPMs then should should get some sort of random up and down/back and forth action going.
I have not really thought out all of the mechanic of it and it may be too much of a PITA, but it could work.
kstockman
New member
Here is the modification for the up-down and back and forth.
1. Attach a second pivot ring between the fixed portion and the movable portion w/ fixed points at 90 degrees from the initial hinge. Like a globe.
2. Attach the square fixed rod to the movable piece with a hinged piece so that when the rod moves up and down it is not fixed in place to the the movable piece. These fitting are available at any R/C model store for cars and airplanes.
3. The rod that moves back and forth is slide into a sheath so that it can slid up and down. IF the sheath is square, then it will not have to fit tight as long as it allows the shaft to move up and down. The sheath is connected to the first motor.
4. the shaft is then moved up and down by a second motor.
Of course, this will take two motors and they cost $56 bucks. SO the project will cost twice as much.
the other thing that I was thinking about was the fact that the PVC pipe does not have to go through the box. Put all of the plumbing in place and attach the gizmo on the out side. This would allow for more room in the box to put the two motors.
Maybe I will start on one tomorrow. I will post pics if I get anywhere.
Just some thoughts.
1. Attach a second pivot ring between the fixed portion and the movable portion w/ fixed points at 90 degrees from the initial hinge. Like a globe.
2. Attach the square fixed rod to the movable piece with a hinged piece so that when the rod moves up and down it is not fixed in place to the the movable piece. These fitting are available at any R/C model store for cars and airplanes.
3. The rod that moves back and forth is slide into a sheath so that it can slid up and down. IF the sheath is square, then it will not have to fit tight as long as it allows the shaft to move up and down. The sheath is connected to the first motor.
4. the shaft is then moved up and down by a second motor.
Of course, this will take two motors and they cost $56 bucks. SO the project will cost twice as much.
the other thing that I was thinking about was the fact that the PVC pipe does not have to go through the box. Put all of the plumbing in place and attach the gizmo on the out side. This would allow for more room in the box to put the two motors.
Maybe I will start on one tomorrow. I will post pics if I get anywhere.
Just some thoughts.
ByTor
Premium Member
Ken,
I just read your post.. After I emailed Van. To funny...I was thinking along those lines too.. Then the output nozzle can be lower in the tank. At the high point of the nozzles travel. The water surface at the center of a 6' tank would boil. Definitely will have to be a bare bottom system or have key rock placement, just below and in front of the nozzle. Just thinking....
:twitch:
I just read your post.. After I emailed Van. To funny...I was thinking along those lines too.. Then the output nozzle can be lower in the tank. At the high point of the nozzles travel. The water surface at the center of a 6' tank would boil. Definitely will have to be a bare bottom system or have key rock placement, just below and in front of the nozzle. Just thinking....
:twitch:
ReefVan
New member
Yet another one of those many Rat updates.... After Toutouche's visit to the Rat Werks last week, where we discussed ReefRat design and applications, here is another design improvement for those of you with acrylic and Euro-Braced tanks.
All around a better design due to reduced Jet-Nozzle footprint.
You'll notice in the photo that I've trimmed back the 90 degree elbow, thereby allowing for the Jet-Nozzle drive shaft to be located 3/4" farther back.
This basically allows for a smaller access hole to mount the Rat and reduced protrusion into the tank.
Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees...
Van
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