The "Hitchhiker's Guide" to the Maxi-Stream mod

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534628#post6534628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grim
Will someone please do this mod to a Mag 5 or Mag 7 pump.. While those little guys are nice, I want to see a pump that measures it's flow in:

KGPH



jb

Would be a waste of electricity and power IMO since you would not be able to find a propeller large enough to make it worthwhile. The largest propeller I have found to date is a 1.75" in size and MJ900 or MJ1200, even MJ600 can spin those no problems. With a Mag 5 or Mag 7 you will get more flow using a couple 1.75" props but it won't be very efficient in terms of gph per watt.

Besides not everyone have a Mag 5 or Mag 7 lying around unused to mod

D.

 

[areze]

I believe what is needed for true "stream"-like flow is a higher RPM pump, not more power.

I cant see a tunze streams propellor very well, but I can see the icecap propeller, and it couldnt be any larger than 1.75" either. so how does the additional flow happen? it has to be RPMs. I dont know of any "high rpm" powerheads though. these certainly look like 1800rpms at best. 3600rpm should double the flow.

 

[want2reef]

D,

Did you get that SCH 80 from the electrical section at Home Depot?

 

[GSerg2]

I like the black pvc, very nice.

 

[jman77]

Wow dhnguyen
That looks very nice in dark gray. You should start putting together kits and selling them...lol

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536180#post6536180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by want2reef
D,

Did you get that SCH 80 from the electrical section at Home Depot?

No. I couldn't find any at Home Depot in dark gray. I ordered mine from here

http://www.mcmaster.com

search for pipe > PVC Pipe > Dark Gray SCH 80

The ID and OD measurements of the 1 1/2" pipes are practically an exact fit for the MJ body.

Shape Pipe
Schedule 80
Pipe Type Unthreaded
Pipe Size 1-1/2"
Pipe to Pipe Connection Unthreaded (pipe)
Material PVC
Inside Diameter 1.476"
Outside Diameter 1.900"
Perforation Type Solid Pipe
Color Dark Gray
Specifications Met Not Rated

The MJ body measured at:
OD 1 15/16" which is about 1.9375"
ID 1 7/16" which is about 1.4375"


A 5ft section for like $7 and change isn't too bad.

D.

 

[Ball]

This mods looks great. Has anyone recorded what the actual flow rates are for some of these mods, or even a close measurement?

Also, I went to order the dark grey PVC and it was $15 to ship it. WOW!

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536954#post6536954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ball
This mods looks great. Has anyone recorded what the actual flow rates are for some of these mods, or even a close measurement?

Also, I went to order the dark grey PVC and it was $15 to ship it. WOW!

$15 to ship? :eek1: Did you order the 10ft section? If so then your only choice for shipping is freight which is pretty expensive. I'd call them up and find out if I were you.

I ordered 4 X 5ft sections for like $6 in shipping.


D.

 

[Ball]

I was shocked. Check it out...


1 Each 48855K25 Thick-Wall Dark Gray PVC Unthreaded Pipe 1-1/2" Pipe Size X 5' Length, Schedule 80 $7.43

Merchandise $7.43
Shipping $15.25
Your credit card will be charged $22.68

 

[dhnguyen]

Did you check to see if the shipping was Ground and not something else?

It doesn't make any sense why my 4 5ft pipes only costed $6 to ship while your single pipe is $15. I'd still call them up and see what's up if I were you.


D.

 

[Shawnts106]

dhnguyen

Would you use a 1.25inch propeller for a MJ1200 or a 1.75?

All I have is 1200's and I would like to use these...

what other pump where you talking about you used that increased some serious flow??? something about Jebo?

I think you said something about useing it with a 1.75inch propeller and it would be fine with 1.75inch PVC???

this is something I might look into!

 

[dhnguyen]

Yes you can use the 1.25" OR the 1.75" props on the MJ1200. really that's your choice. The 1.75" will have better flow that's for certain.

And yes I have used the 1.75" props successfully on a LifeTech AP1500 (JEBO powerhead) and yes it does generate A LOT of flow. More flow than my 55g can handle.

There is no such thing as a 1.75" PVC pipe so you would have to use a 2" PVC pipe. The 2" PVC pipe works nicely with the LifeTech pump and these pumps are very cheap too.


D.

 

[backlash]

Sweet mod!I love this kind of DIY stuff! Just ordered nitro props and shaft for my MJ900's-can't wait!

 

[GSerg2]

Got a pic of the Jebo-Stream?

 

[Rothie]

Does the AP1500 use a 2" test cap?

 

[Jon770]

This thread is great! I just read through the whole thing (took over an hour!), and I had a few questions - if you wouldn't mind helping me out.

• 1. As far as CA glue, would regular super glue gel from a hardware store work (ex: Loctite)? I thought those were cyano-acrylate, but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“m not sureââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
  
  2. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m going to make a couple of these, for different tanks and I wanted to know how many (and what size) you think I should do. First, I want to add them to my 75G Reefââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦and I currently have 2 regular MJ 900s running in there. Should I just convert those 2, or will that be too much flow? I was planning on making the 2 Nitro Propeller setupââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
  
  3. I also want to make some of these for my brotherââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s tank, which is a 600+ FOWLR. How many do you think I should make for this system? Should I use 900s, or go up to 1200s? I would prefer to just stick with the 900 setup since thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s what Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m doing on mine and I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t want to make this too complicated, but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m willing to move up if itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s beneficialââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

Oh, and BTW: for those people in S. Florida who canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t find test caps, I found them last night at the Loweââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s on Oakland Park Blvd. AND at the Home Depot in Oakwood Plaza in Hollywood (the ones at HD were yellow). Hope that helpsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

 

[Jon770]

Also,

I just spoke to the people at McMaster-Carr to check on shipping for the dark grey 5ft PVC to Miami, Florida. They said it will be around $12, and that they are more expensive to ship b/c they are 'non-conveyor' (or something along those lines). Since they won't fit on UPS's conveyor system, they charge more. I asked him how much it would be if I got 2-3 pipes, and he said it would probably be the same. Maybe if more people in the area would like some we can get together decent order to save individually on shipping. If 4 people each get one 5ft pipe, then it should only cost each of us approximately $10. Obviously much more expensive than white or even light grey PVC from HD/Lowes, but from the pics I think the dark grey might be worth the money...

Anyone interested?

 

[Ball]

I wonder if you requested to have them cut the pipe into two parts, if they could ship it easier, thus at a cheaper cost.

 

[Jon770]

OK, NEVERMIND...there's no need to cut it. I called back and asked about cutting before shipping, and the woman this time said that it would NOT be freight and will only cost $4 to ship it whole (5ft) to Miami....same if I get 2 pieces. I guess the first guy just messed up.

BTW - I'm still hoping for some responses to my questions 3 posts ago. THANKS!

 

[GSerg2]

My best answers...

1. Any 100% cyano-acrylate will work. It doesn't have to be SuperGlue brand.

2. Two 900's with dual Nitro props is going to be LOT of flow on a 75g. If you have a sandbed, my guess is that it will be too much. Especially if both of them run at the same time. If you have an BB acro tank or something like that, you should be able to get away with it. It is a guess based on my Tunze 6080's flow but I bet those are going to put out somewhere around 1600gph a piece. Do the math and see if that is what you want. On my 215g I started with dual Nitro props on two MJ900's. I eventually went to single props because it seemed very rough on some of my LPS. I am happy with two single prop units for now.

3. At least two I would think, 3-4 depending on dimensions, placement and how much flow he wants. I would only go with 1200's if you plan on using props larger than 1.5" and that introduces other challenges. If it were me, I would stick with 900's. The 900's will spin dual nitros with no problem so going to a 1200 won't gain anything I don't think. In any event, you can put the same mod parts on a 900 or 1200. The body sizes are the same on both.