Reef-Rat Update

[kstockman]

I have just built my Reef-Rat knock off--well sort of. Instead of running the water pipe through the box, I have the box above the 1.5" return line from the sump. I just built the oscillation portion of the RR and connected it up to the motor as in the RR. It is not optimal yet. I don't have a strong enough connector that runs up to the motor so it flexes back and forth a bit--which makes the back and forth motion a bit choppy. The only thing in the black box is the motor and the oscillation shaft.

Once I get all the stuff to make a more permanent connection between the motor and the output portion, I am going to hook one motor up to oscillating outputs. In essence, I will run the main water return and the two closed loop returns off one motor.

Here is how I plan to do it:

Basically, I will have the motor turn the main shaft back and forth in the center of the tank and the shaft will directly connect to the oscillation piece for the main water return from the sump. Just out side the box--either above it or below--I will put a fixed disc that is connected to the main shaft that has push rods connected to the disc on opposite sides. The push rods will be used to move the two closed loop returns on the back-and-forth.

Does this make sense? I know that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I have not built the secondary return oscillators.

Any thoughts on this?

After this is done. I will add the vertical motion to the oscillators. I have the vertical portion in the main return oscillator, but is it not hooked up to a motor yet. It is just hanging down and moves up and down slightly as the water runs through it.

 

[Chris_Reef]

Van,

First off, thanks for sharing your awsome DIY projects with us. I've been following the RR since it was a SS. First rate stuff!

For those of us wanting to take a crack at making one of these new Reef Rats, could you post a place to purchase one of those Hansen Motors please?

 

[ReefVan]

The source can be had on the Vendor Links menu item on my homepage. ( Little house over my posts )

Hope this helps.

Van

 

[Chris_Reef]

Thanks Van! I found the Hansen web page earlier but didn't see any retail info. They gave me a place to call though and I just ordered two of the K13RA-5-6 (the round 1rpm ones with four mounts). Should be a fun project

 

[John N]

Chris_Reef:
Would you mind sharing the source that you got the motors from so we all aren't bombarding the company with calls on where to purchase? If you would rather not, please PM me.

Van: I imagine that this motor is one of the more expensive parts of this project?

 

[ReefVan]

Yeah, I'd say so.

Aside from the time you put in, the case and the motor are the most expensive items.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Van

 

[Chris_Reef]

Chris_Reef:
Would you mind sharing the source that you got the motors from so we all aren't bombarding the company with calls on where to purchase? If you would rather not, please PM me.

Van: I imagine that this motor is one of the more expensive parts of this project?

Hansen gave me the following phone number for American Time and Signal Company: 1 800 328-8996.

Based on my answers to the Hansen sales rep questions this is the model # he had me ask for: K13RA-5-6. This was for the round shaped (as opposed to the slightly larger oval shaped), 4 mount, 1 RPM (clockwise rotation), 110v, 60 cycle, 4 watt, 1/8" diameter x 1/2" flatted 'D' shaft synchron motor.

Once again - thanks Van for making it possible for us mere mortals to try our hand at this DIY project. Your time, efforts and generosity for sharing your success is what makes this hobby so great!

 

[jman785]

Van, just curious, as I read on your website, that you should check with the U.S. Patent Offices...and I was curious if you had heard of your design conflicting with any patents...just curious to see if any other states or countries regulated these devices since sea-whirl is out and what not...just taking up your time

- Jared

 

[forrest2906]

What a totally awesom idea.....good job thinking out of the box!

 

[Toutouche]

Jman,
go back to Van's website and read through everything ( even the fine print in a sense), and you'll see that this subject is a real can of worms. If you only knew what has gone on about this. Van is not copying any other product out on the market. His idea is different.

 

[jman785]

Jman,
go back to Van's website and read through everything ( even the fine print in a sense), and you'll see that this subject is a real can of worms. If you only knew what has gone on about this. Van is not copying any other product out on the market. His idea is different.

No need to get hooped up over nothing then, I was just asking a question, no need for defenses fellow reefer Anyhow, I was just curious, I had read it, and didn't read all of it, evidently, I suppose I'll check the website, once more. But just curious, I don't have too keen of an eye, but what's the differences in say a Reef-Rat, compared to a Sea-Whirl? Just curious.

- Jared

 

[Toutouche]

Jared,
Sheesh!!!
Who's getting "hooped up"????? I'm not..., I'm not defending either. You just asked a question, and I simply said go back to his site and read about it. It's all there... even the differences between the 2.
I guarantee you Van will tell you the samething!!! It's all there. Another thing you can do is use the search button up above and you'll find all you want to know. Don't take this negatively, my tone while writing this is not as such.

 

[jman785]

10-4, I wasn't taking it to heart, but its hard to tell what you mean sometimes by just reading stuff, as far as tone and seriousness goes

- Jared

 

[Toutouche]

:beer:

 

[ReefVan]

Jared,

This whole thing has been beat to death many times before, the best suggestion would be to do a search, like Toutouche said.

There's a wealth of data available, you just have to know where to look for it. It's all there, spelled out in black and white.

Good luck Jared, you'll be reading for a long time ........

p.s - I thought from the design that I created, the departure from the Sea-Swirl was evident, I guess if you don't know all the details they may look similar... a box with an inlet and outlet.

Just rattling your chain...

Van

 

[jman785]

I'll have to rack your brain someday with some questions Van

- Jared

 

[ReefVan]

Shoot......:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

 

[Loudz34]

Hey When you get that 220 up and running i got some frags you might like... hehehe and you got some rats I like.... lol.... I just Pm'd you.... Nice design by the way.. hoping to get my hands on a few... Greg

 

[shaw]

Great rotating device.

 

[ReefVan]

Loudz34,

Sounds like a plan. Nothing like a good trade to keep the taxman at bay...

Van