Recommend a Good Detritus Blasting Pump

[mattdg]

I spend 10-20 minutes once a week blowing out built up detritus between coral colonies, with a Maxi Jet 1200. Unfortunately, it died today after many years of use. I like the high pressure blast it creates and small size, but I can imagine there is something better out there.

Just wondering what all of you use for detritus maintenance.

Please share your favorite, high pressure, hand held, detritus blaster here.

 

[anthonygf]

I use a cordless dental flosser with a brush on the tip. Works good enough for me, and is pretty powerful for it's size, it'll blast the sand away.

 

[mattdg]

I use a cordless dental flosser with a brush on the tip. Works good enough for me, and is pretty powerful for it's size, it'll blast the sand away.

Nice. Can you use it under water? Which one do you use?

 

[anthonygf]

Nice. Can you use it under water? Which one do you use?

I can't remember the name of mine. Look on Amazon, they have many cordless models. They come with a water holding tank attached, you don't need it. Remove the tank and use the attachment with a brush, overall it is handheld and only 6-10 inches and you can submerge the whole unit to use, it is water proof. I have been using mine for several years. It is rechargeable and no chance of shock hazard.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Quiet One PRO 1200 (317 GPH) - Lifegard
I have given up on my love of Maxi Jet/Cobalt pumps, this Quiet One is a great pump that just works, it lays flat to the bottom unlike the PITA maxi jets, the return points up, again with Cobalt, nope. It runs for ever.

 

[mtraylor]

another option would be to get a gyro pump and place in display. This way it lifts the detritus and gets it to go in overflow to be filtered out if you have one. Less manual maintenance

 

[mattdg]

Thank you for the pump suggestions, so far. Really just looking for something that works well as a hand held, detritus blasting pump. Something I can manually move around the tank once or twice a week, to blow all of the built up gunk out of the rocks. I actually usually refer to it as, 'dusting the tank', since that is kind of what it looks like. Water pick is a solid idea, I will be purchasing one for finer work, but also need suggestions for a small, high flow wireless or wired direct flow pumps, with a slightly wider output. I sort of imagine something like an underwater leaf blower, would be such a cool form factor.

I have a high flow system already. 24,000 gallons per hour or so on a 120. SPS heavy and somehow all indirect flow around the coral, using a mixture of Tunze, Koralia and MP40's. Some of them are set to random. It is amazing how detritus always finds a way to settle in the reduced flow areas.

Anyway, I think it's always good to address the nooks and crannies in a system, rather than just ignore the build up.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

 

[anthonygf]

Thank you for the pump suggestions, so far. Really just looking for something that works well as a hand held, detritus blasting pump. Something I can manually move around the tank once or twice a week, to blow all of the built up gunk out of the rocks. I actually usually refer to it as, 'dusting the tank', since that is kind of what it looks like. Water pick is a solid idea, I will be purchasing one for finer work, but also need suggestions for a small, high flow wireless or wired direct flow pumps, with a slightly wider output. I sort of imagine something like an underwater leaf blower, would be such a cool form factor.

I have a high flow system already. 24,000 gallons per hour or so on a 120. SPS heavy and somehow all indirect flow around the coral, using a mixture of Tunze, Koralia and MP40's. Some of them are set to random. It is amazing how detritus always finds a way to settle in the reduced flow areas.

Anyway, I think it's always good to address the nooks and crannies in a system, rather than just ignore the build up.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

Make sure to get a DC pump if you are going to hold the pump by hand in the tank. An AC powered pump can be deadly to you.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

It is impossible short of a water fall to not have a spot with lower flow, this makes it easy to siphon off that deitrus

 

[mattdg]

It is surprising how challenging it is to find a decent DC pump, that doesn't have a big annoying wifi controller attached to it. Especially one that can be held easily and isn't a prop pump.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I go with a cheap ac powerhead. Does the job and it's under 10 bucks. It gets flaky, I trash it and get another one.

 

[minus9]

I use this crazy handheld device called a turkey baster, it’s nice because you can get inside of crevices and holes, and it’s completely hand powered, no risk of electrocution or funky cables.
Seriously though, there’s no need to buy a pump when old school technology works. But I get why a pump is appealing, just saying there are cheaper alternatives.

 

[Tathamet]

I use this crazy handheld device called a turkey baster, it’s nice because you can get inside of crevices and holes, and it’s completely hand powered, no risk of electrocution or funky cables.
Seriously though, there’s no need to buy a pump when old school technology works. But I get why a pump is appealing, just saying there are cheaper alternatives.

lol I’ve always just used my coral feeder which is basically the same thing. Cramps the hell out of my thumb after blasting rocks in my 13.5 for a few minutes though so definitely see the appeal haha.

a small utility pump might be a decent option. I’ve seen some that use 1/4” tubing and have really good pressure. Seems like it would be perfect for this.

 

[WVNed]

Good luck finding something better than a Maxijet for the same price.

 

[mattdg]

Yeah, I have a turkey baster. Problem is, it would take me several hours to do what a low power powerhead can do in 10 minutes. No thanks. I only use the baster for specific isolated spots.

Far as going back to AC, I think now that the MJ died, it is best that I don't. LOL! Really, wasn't the best decision hand holding that pump. As soon as I saw a little damage to the cord, it was straight to the trash.

Anyway, I may have come up with a creative, cheap, DC pump solution. I purchased a 750 GPH Seaflo, fully submersible, 12VDC bilge pump off of fleabay. It looks like something that can be easily hand held.

Please keep suggestions coming, in case this thing doesn't work out. Either way, I will report back.

 

[minus9]

Yeah, I have a turkey baster. Problem is, it would take me several hours to do what a low power powerhead can do in 10 minutes. No thanks. I only use the baster for specific isolated spots.

Far as going back to AC, I think now that the MJ died, it is best that I don't. LOL! Really, wasn't the best decision hand holding that pump. As soon as I saw a little damage to the cord, it was straight to the trash.

Anyway, I may have come up with a creative, cheap, DC pump solution. I purchased a 750 GPH Seaflo, fully submersible, 12VDC bilge pump off of fleabay. It looks like something that can be easily hand held.

Please keep suggestions coming, in case this thing doesn't work out. Either way, I will report back.

I was just having some fun, all good. MJ's and Rio's always did the job for me in the past. Find a used Tunze nanostream and it'll last forever.

 

[mattdg]

You will laugh at how I have this thing hooked up. Totally awesome BUT complete overkill. That said, it actually works great! Plus, I can switch it on and off easily with one hand, while working the pump with the other.

I am using the SEAFLO Bilge pump, I mentioned above. It does not come with a power source, but I already had the miniware DC power supply, so I hooked up a 4s RC battery, dialed in 12V at 2 Amps and I now have a very powerful, portable, reef safe detritus blaster!

I assume most will just plug this thing in to a properly rated AC/DC 12v 2-4 amp power supply, though using the battery adds another level of safety. The pump itself is pretty much perfect for getting into small spaces and blasting out the gunk, without being so focused it blows tissue right off the coral. Similar in power and flow to the Maxi Jet that I was using before, but safer and easier to maneuver.