The "Hitchhiker's Guide" to the Maxi-Stream mod
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Tim-
The rigid tube itself doesn't/shouldn't move by itself. Rather the whole magnet and rigid tube/propeller would move as a unit when it spins the wrong way. It works like this because as the propeller spins backward it pushes itself AND the magnet outward since they're connected. Then the propeller hits the stopper, stop spinning, the force of the magnet will force itself back into the pump's motor and that's when the propeller spins the right way. This happens really quickly on start up like wityhin a second.
There are some close up photos of my coupling for th rigid tube on this page
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=717034&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Does anyone have a good understanding of the power draw and work done with this mod? Does the mechanical efficiency of the propeller account for all the increased work done(volume of water moved) ? Someone had posted earlier that power draw decrease. I dont quite understand that part.
Ok here are the Octura propellers (and combination of) that worked with a Maxijet
From left to right respectively from weakest to strongest in terms of flow.
single 1435
dual 1435 (feels about the same as a single 2035)
single 2035
single 1240
single 1440
What didn't work
dual 2035
dual 1440
dual 1240
single 1445
single 1245
We definitely have reached the limit for the Maxijets
From left to right respectively from weakest to strongest in terms of flow.
single 1435
dual 1435 (feels about the same as a single 2035)
single 2035
single 1240
single 1440
What didn't work
dual 2035
dual 1440
dual 1240
single 1445
single 1245
We definitely have reached the limit for the Maxijets
Well, I finally read the entire thread, and spent countless hours going to different lowes and home depots. I also stopped by my local hobby shop, and they carry octura props! Unfortunately, they only had 1 1435.
For those that aren't very DIY inclined, and can't find a test cap, just cut up the original piece that attaches to the pump. 1.5 inch schedule 40 fits perfectly on it after cutting off the intake and output. For some reason the test cap didn't fit. Even after taking off the o-ring. I forced it on, and it cracked, because it was a little too small.
For those that aren't very DIY inclined, and can't find a test cap, just cut up the original piece that attaches to the pump. 1.5 inch schedule 40 fits perfectly on it after cutting off the intake and output. For some reason the test cap didn't fit. Even after taking off the o-ring. I forced it on, and it cracked, because it was a little too small.
zapata41
In Memoriam
dh, i attached my prop similar to how you have tyours attached but when it spins backwards it doesnt pull itself into the stopper to reverse itself. is the seio magnet stronger than the maxi making this feature not possible. also how does a seio start up in the right direction everytime, since i dont see a stopper in them
Tim
Tim
I'm pretty sure the SEIO magnet is stronger but I'm not sure if this is what is casuing your problem though.
As for the stock SEIO being able to spin the right dircetion each time....Well...It doesn't. If you look at the SEIO's stock impeller, the head is a cone shaped impeller not a propeller. Impellers are designed in such as way that it doesn't matter what direction it spins, it would still generate flow. Propellers on the other hand has to spin the right way to push water outward otheriwse it sucks water in instead.
do you have a photo or 2 of your mod? How far out is your stoppeer from the propeller?
Deuce67
New member
Man, its been two weeks since I put a pair of these maxi steams in my system. A couple of things I have noticed so far is better skimmate production which is prolly from all that flow pushing the crap out into the overflow. The other is I can see better polyp extensions from my sps and it looks like Im getting better growth. Awesome DIY!
kwl1763
Premium Member
Having had Tunze for a while I really was of the camp if you can't beat them copy them so rather then settle for a smaller tube, etc. I tried to make mine look as much like an actual Tunze as possible with cheap plumbing parts.
Here is the parts list.
Dumas 1.75" prop
rigid tubing
flexible tubing
Carbon rod
(I won't go into the prop assembly as that is covered plenty in this thread)
1/2" piece of 1.5" tubing to turn into the connection to the maxijet
1.5" to 3" PVC connector
3" to 2" PVC connector
Lots of effort with the dremel which is the only tool I used
Onto the pics.
First just a quick pic of the prop assembly. Same as others!
Now onto where there are differences. As I said what drove the choices was to make it like a Tunze.
I first cut the 1.5" to 3" connector off right where the 3" part started. This left me with a cone.
I then cut the 3" to 2" piece off to within about 1/2" of the cone and also cut almost all the 2" part off.
This was all to make it as short as possible while giving plenty of room.
I then cut slots with the dremel every 1/8" or so aroud 3/4" of the 3"to 2" connector down to the 2" part. Here are those 2 pieces done.
And a closup of the top of the slotted piece.
OK that done I attached the center strip and "stopper" to the 3" to 2". I actually made the strip out of PVC laying around since I didn't have any acrylic! I sanded it a little after to make it smooth but a little super glue later here it was
After this was done I made the piece to attach the contraption to the maxijet out of a 1.5" sch 40 pipe. I used the same tool I used to cut the slots with the Dremel again!
After that I glued it all together and presto!
I tested it out. The only issue I had is the first one I did was very slightly off center and it would get off then fly up and hit the stopper constantly. After that I took it apart. Measured to the mm and built another doing the smae and they both have run like champs since. I've run them overnight a couple times and turned them on and off at least 20 to test the stopper and no issues!
Then to test againt my Tunze. I have to say without any actual testing by feel this was equal to my Tunze! I have to actually test and see but I'm very very impressed.
Last step was to paint them. I used Fusion textured black. It looks real good.
I can't thank all the people who attempted this before me enough. Specifically dhnguyen for puttig up with all the questions in this thread! It's so nice to be able to copy!!! Hopefully this will help others. I'd like to test it against some of the other designs here. Maybe once I get the flow estimate it will at least give us some idea. I mean mine is roughly 3" wide by 3.25" long so it's significantly bigger then some of the other designs but man the flow is awesome!!
Here is the parts list.
Dumas 1.75" prop
rigid tubing
flexible tubing
Carbon rod
(I won't go into the prop assembly as that is covered plenty in this thread)
1/2" piece of 1.5" tubing to turn into the connection to the maxijet
1.5" to 3" PVC connector
3" to 2" PVC connector
Lots of effort with the dremel which is the only tool I used
Onto the pics.
First just a quick pic of the prop assembly. Same as others!
Now onto where there are differences. As I said what drove the choices was to make it like a Tunze.
I first cut the 1.5" to 3" connector off right where the 3" part started. This left me with a cone.
I then cut the 3" to 2" piece off to within about 1/2" of the cone and also cut almost all the 2" part off.
This was all to make it as short as possible while giving plenty of room.
I then cut slots with the dremel every 1/8" or so aroud 3/4" of the 3"to 2" connector down to the 2" part. Here are those 2 pieces done.
And a closup of the top of the slotted piece.
OK that done I attached the center strip and "stopper" to the 3" to 2". I actually made the strip out of PVC laying around since I didn't have any acrylic! I sanded it a little after to make it smooth but a little super glue later here it was
After this was done I made the piece to attach the contraption to the maxijet out of a 1.5" sch 40 pipe. I used the same tool I used to cut the slots with the Dremel again!
After that I glued it all together and presto!
I tested it out. The only issue I had is the first one I did was very slightly off center and it would get off then fly up and hit the stopper constantly. After that I took it apart. Measured to the mm and built another doing the smae and they both have run like champs since. I've run them overnight a couple times and turned them on and off at least 20 to test the stopper and no issues!
Then to test againt my Tunze. I have to say without any actual testing by feel this was equal to my Tunze! I have to actually test and see but I'm very very impressed.
Last step was to paint them. I used Fusion textured black. It looks real good.
I can't thank all the people who attempted this before me enough. Specifically dhnguyen for puttig up with all the questions in this thread! It's so nice to be able to copy!!! Hopefully this will help others. I'd like to test it against some of the other designs here. Maybe once I get the flow estimate it will at least give us some idea. I mean mine is roughly 3" wide by 3.25" long so it's significantly bigger then some of the other designs but man the flow is awesome!!
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