Edited by Nate, 15 June 2009 - 11:27 PM.

Powerhead Speed Controller Question
#1
Posted 15 June 2009 - 11:25 PM
#2
Posted 16 June 2009 - 05:10 AM
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#4
Posted 16 June 2009 - 07:24 AM
You can use an on-off (aka bang-bang) controller / wavemaker, like a Red Sea WaveMaster Pro, but the ambiguity in the startup direction of the pump may physically wear your upgrade out earlier than it would otherwise.
I've never tried this, but it may be an option of sorts. If you restricted the input to the pump, it should move less water. In the case of your maxijet mod, this would require that you block off some of the grating on the intake side of the the propeller. Maybe you could experiment with this using some rubber plumbers tape or something similar.
Main tank: 210g display (mostly SPS), 50g custom NAGA-built frag, 20g & 15g aux. tanks, and 100g Rubbermaid sump. Three Ecotech Radion XR30W's (G3) for main tank lighting. Four Ecotech Vortech MP40WQDs and 2 Maxspect 250 Gyres for flow. GSA Custom 12 modified with 2 Waveline DC6000 pumps, Avast media reactors running carbon & GFO (sometimes), Avast Vibe reactor running biopellets, Deltec KM500 Kalk Stirrer, Korallin C4002 Calcium Reactor modded with internal pH probe, Avast ozone reactor (decommissioned), Reeflo Dart main pump.
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#5
Posted 16 June 2009 - 07:25 AM
#6
Posted 16 June 2009 - 11:21 AM
Vortech.
I have a MP40w on my main tank. Its great, but the whole purpose of going with Max-Jet Mods is to cut down on expenses.
the maxi jet can not be dimmed or throttled via an electrical method, it just can't happen. I could explain it but it's long, boring, and won't solve anything. The way you can control the amount of water they put out issss ready for this? PVC take your shroud for your newly modded power head to your local home depot or lowes and find the closest fitting piece of pvc pipe (in diameter) that will fit over the shroud, the tighter the fit the better as long as you can get it all the way over the shroud. Cut it to the length of your shroud (the pvc pipe) now comes the hard fun tricky part. You need to slot the pipe the same way the shroud is slotted and once you have that done you can put it back over the shroud and by twisting this second shroud over top of the stock one you can regulate the amount of water it can take in and there by put out allowing you to control the flow
That is a great idea! I am going to have to try it. Last night I found a dimer switch and hooked it up to the Max-Jet. I now understand why it won't work. So I guess the only real way to cut the flow back is to interfere with the intake.
#7
Posted 16 June 2009 - 02:09 PM
#8
Posted 16 June 2009 - 02:56 PM
So what are your other choices? Well why is the flow a problem? Is it pushing everything around? If so, you could just diffuse the stream. My guess is that would work well for you. If you have too much turnover or flow, you could go with a wave maker. You could also combine that with the diffusing the stream concept. You could also aim your stream in a way so that it doesn't have a direct flow problem. For instance, you could aim it towards the surface.
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#9
Posted 17 June 2009 - 07:10 AM
#10
Posted 17 June 2009 - 07:57 PM
As for the slip over slot method: That would be a temp fix for a long running problem. Eventually your going to have Coraline growth on those slots and the flow will just reduce even more. If you ask me I would just rather cut some thin plastic strips and custom fit them over a few slots at a time until you feel you have the proper flow restricted. Yes it will take some time but in the end the long hard work will pay off in the end.
Lots of various creatures of interest !!
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