which powerhead is good for wavemaker?
- Thread starter shikhyung
- Start date
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
the OP can clarify this
the OP can clarify this
but I believe he's referring to a "wavemaker" as a stand alone on/off switching device. He wants to know which powerheads are good to use on an on/off cycle.
As an aside, I don't like using Vortech's to make waves.
Use these devices to create a gyre.
the OP can clarify this
but I believe he's referring to a "wavemaker" as a stand alone on/off switching device. He wants to know which powerheads are good to use on an on/off cycle.
As an aside, I don't like using Vortech's to make waves.
Use these devices to create a gyre.
lordofthereef
One reef to rule them all
When using MJ's do you mod them in any way? I had mj 1200s (stock) on a wavemaker many years ago when I started the hobby and the chatter they produced was the loudest thing in the tank (and at that time I had no idea how to set up a quiet tank!)
Mike31154
New member
Using a wavemaker with conventional powerheads is kind of a Catch 22. As long as you're trying to run an AC voltage powered powerhead usin an On/Off type wave making device, there is the potential for chatter since an AC voltage powerhead is prone to rotate in either direction on start up. That's what On/Off type wavemakers do, either on or off, nothing in between. Particularly with modded MaxiJets where a propeller has been installed to replace the conventional impeller this is an issue. If the motor spins up in the wrong direction, the propeller running in reverse will push the shaft out, the prop will hit the mechanical stop designed into the modification and with any luck cause the motor to reverse direction. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out that such an inelegant solution to reversing motor rotation is not going to help the life of the powerhead or other moving parts. And it will make that chattering noise. The only way to stop the chattering is to use a DC voltage motor, that is why both VorTech and some Tunze models use DC motors. Plus they are speed controllable whereas a simple On/Off timed wavemaker is not, again, On or Off, nothing in between. If you can find a cheap DC voltage motor powerhead, plug it's AC/DC converter into your On/Off wavemaker, you won't get the chattering sound. Best of luck with that, by the time you're done you may as well have saved up for an EcoTech or Tunze product.
lordofthereef
One reef to rule them all
Thanks Mike. Very informative. I never recommended them because of the chatter, but it seems there are more reasons to consider not using them.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I ran many unmodded MJ1200's on a 'Tsunami' Blue Line wavemaker for over a decade.
As long as you don't run excessively high calcium levels and keep them free of deposits the MJ's should start up fairly silently and flawlessly.
As long as you don't run excessively high calcium levels and keep them free of deposits the MJ's should start up fairly silently and flawlessly.
oceanslayer18
New member
vortech 100%. if u cant afoord it then go with tunze
I have no doubt about the Tunze or Vortec, but $$$ is not the way to go.
As said at the beginning, mod MJ is already failed. Create a turbulence, is also annoying somehow..., and then somewhere you see the substrate is bold
Now, I have arduino controller which creates the wave by an on/off function, so wanna to see the difference.
As said at the beginning, mod MJ is already failed. Create a turbulence, is also annoying somehow..., and then somewhere you see the substrate is bold
Now, I have arduino controller which creates the wave by an on/off function, so wanna to see the difference.
Mike31154
New member
Well it's cool to play around with these DIY ideas, I even tried modding an AquaClear (similar to MaxiJet) powerhead some time ago. Of course I had no way to consistently get it to spin the prop in the correct direction upon plugging it in, so it didn't take too long for me to move on from these attempts. Mind you, when the thing did start up in the desired direction I could hardly hold on to it, it moved a pile of water. Not long after that I found out about VorTechs and dug deep to buy first one, then a year later a second used one from a fellow hobbyist on this site. For me among the best money I've spent. I see that MaxiJet has just released their own version of the modded powerheads for a very attractive price. Haven't really researched them, but I assume they are still the AC motors with some sort of mechanical stop solution to get them to spin up in the desired direction. Pretty sure there is technology out there that will ensure an AC motor will spin in one direction only, but again, it's not cheap & that's probably why there's nothing like it offered for the niche market that is our hobby. I think it needs to be a 3 phase motor and the AC power fed into our homes is at best 2 phase.
