Using Vortecs with 1" acrylic, suggestions

[Chihuahua6]

I know they're not meant to be used with 1" acrylic but I want to add one or two with the battery backup incase of a power outage. I think I read here at one time where someone routed out a small circular area in the back of their tank (the size of the Vortec) to 3/4" so that they would be able to use them. Does this sound like it could work?

I'm also wondering if I could use them on the back at full throttle on a tank that is 34" front to back. The overall dimensions are 96X34X26. Would the Vortecs blow too strongly against the front pane? I would rather not route out the sides of the tank if I don't have to but the back wouldn't be seen anyway.

 

[mordibv]

I don't think mounting them is the whole issue . It is the flow of the Vortech's that cause the problem . The flow can literally haze ur Acrylic . On top of that ,if fine sand starts moving around it can cause tank damage too. I can't remember but someone really had a bad experience with using them on an Acrylic tank .

HTH

 

[sfsuphysics]

I have my vortechs pulsing on my 36" front to back tank, no problems.

As to the 1" problem, only solution I've seen someone do that I might try is to make a dry box near the top. Otherwise I'd ditch the idea of using vortechs and stick with something like a Tunze since their magnets can grip onto thick widths. No way in hell would I route out a groove to put the motor in though.

 

[phuzzykins]

It was jnarowe who had an issue with heat from the motor crazing his acrylic tank. There were concerns surrounding this specific tank (unknown acrylic, panes too thin, etc) and I am not aware of any other cases of crazing caused by the Vortech pumps.


My tank is 36" front to back as well. I have 3 Vortechs on the back wall for the majority of my flow. Also no problems.

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I'd think routing out a spot to 3/4 wouldn't be a major issue. If you could cut out a hole for a bulkhead, why not thin it down for a Vortech? If at all possible, contact the builder of your tank to get their opinion, or the opinion of another reputable builder. Don't take my word for it.

 

[superman100]

tunzes or closed loop may be a better option

 

[DaveMorris]

I agree with Phuzzy about routing out a spot for the Vortech. Granted the area is bigger than what would be required for a bulkhead, but I seriously doubt that it would cause a strength problem.

 

[sfsuphysics]

The problem with the bulkhead argument is that the interior part has a big flange and cover over the hole as well. Not that I think it would really make much of a difference in strength either, something just doesn't sit right about thinning out the acrylic to pop in a vortech.... however if I really had to do it and didn't want to bother with the accuracy of routing it out (i.e. CnC type of work), I'd simply drill a hole larger than the vortech, slap a piece of 1/4" or 1/2" acrylic on the inside as a patch with weld-on 16 or something, then you have an appropriately thickness piece that the vortech will run flawlessly on... just make sure you know exactly where you want the pump and never plan on changing its location

 

[Chihuahua6]

tunzes or closed loop may be a better option

This won't help me in the event of a power outage which is the whole reason why I want to add a Vortec or two.

I think routing out the acrylic should be easy enough. As long as the acrylic is kept cool I think it should be fine. This tank could be built with 3/4" acrylic anyway.

 

[THE GIMP]

UPS for computers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply

 

[luvreefs23]

tunzes can be hooked up to back battery sources as well. Theres no need to go thru all of what u are looking to do.

straight from tunzes site:



No problem in case of power failure
Fitted with Safety Connector 6105.50, Turbelle® stream 6105, 6205 and 6305 can be operated on every 10 V to 24 V direct-current source (battery, solar cell). The safety connector permits normal operation with the TUNZE® power supply unit, but in case of a power failure it will automatically switch over to a direct-current source.

Dennis

 

[Crazy One]

I was wonndering the the same thing about the MP40. I wasn't sure if the magnets would hold through 1" acrylic.
It would only be used in a power outage unless it needs to run on the lowest setting all the time so it wouldn't get clogged up from the calcium from not running.
Anyone tried using a vortech on anything thicker than 3/4"?

 

[Chihuahua6]

Thanks The Gimp. I did look into the computer backup option but the Vortecs run longer and since I need more pumps anyway made more sense economically.

Luvreefs23 I didn't know Tunze had this option. Thanks for the info. I'll look into those types of batterier. Hopefully they're economical enough for this application.