Using Thrusters as wave makers in aquariums

[Rule69]

Do you have them ramping up and down like the mp60 can or are they on constant flow?

 

[Iccis Linn]

I recently make one similar to yours too.

 

[ravi197699]

are you trying to have similar shape to Abyzz?

 

[ravi197699]

so little update on my trusters, I own 3 of them now, 2 - t500 big boys and 1 t200 that I is being used in my sump circulation, I was looking for middle ware between apex and thruster controller but decided to go with Arduino Uno board which has the capability to ramp up and down these thrusters, I can modify the code to control the speed and delay and it ramps up and down slowly similar to reef crest mode in ecotech, but pumps are going strong with no draw back except too much flow "overkill" but plenty to keep everything suspended for skimmer to process, I will post pictures soon,

 

[Shooter6]

I see the t100 is discontinued. Interested in any info on the t200. The website says they are plastic,stainless and aluminum construction. How's that aluminum hold up long term?

Lastly I saw someone question about fish being sucked in. I saw this

T200 or T100 Thruster Weed Guard (Rear) by ranmarine on Shapeways

Check out T200 or T100 Thruster Weed Guard (Rear) by ranmarine on Shapeways and discover more 3D printed products in Mechanical Parts.

www.shapeways.com

 

[ravi197699]

There is no aluminum in my pump and cage is highly recommended since there is no stopping of this thruster, cage you shared is costly, I want to find source who can print these at reasonable cost,

 

[Shooter6]

There is no aluminum in my pump and cage is highly recommended since there is no stopping of this thruster, cage you shared is costly, I want to find source who can print these at reasonable cost,

This is where I saw the info on aluminum. Is this the same t100? Or a different manufacturer using the same model designation?

T100 Thruster (Discontinued) – Ocean Robotix

oceanrobotix.com

 

[Shooter6]

I love the idea of these, as I have multiple 8ft aquariums now, and my next house will have multiple 12 ft raceways as well as an even longer display.

 

[ravi197699]

This is where I saw the info on aluminum. Is this the same t100? Or a different manufacturer using the same model designation?

T100 Thruster (Discontinued) – Ocean Robotix

oceanrobotix.com

now thrusters are more composit material and stronger, my t200 and t500 are great quality,

 

[ravi197699]

I love the idea of these, as I have multiple 8ft aquariums now, and my next house will have multiple 12 ft raceways as well as an even longer display.

1 thruster can replace 3 mp60 in my opinion and 1 t500 can replace 4 to 6 mp60

 

[Shooter6]

1 thruster can replace 3 mp60 in my opinion and 1 t500 can replace 4 to 6 mp60

I'll have to look mote into them . The controller is the biggest hurdle for me as I'm very much an analog individual. I'm wondering I'd a controller from a wavemaker could be wired to the thruster to control it. Or if the hydros wave engine could be used.

 

[ravi197699]

you can use thruster commander to dial in the flow with knob or use the Arduino Uno and create sketch to have in constant on or have reef crest, wave and one for certain seconds or min and off for certain seconds or min, limitless options,

 

[Shooter6]

you can use thruster commander to dial in the flow with knob or use the Arduino Uno and create sketch to have in constant on or have reef crest, wave and one for certain seconds or min and off for certain seconds or min, limitless options,

I have no idea what either of those are. I'll try to Google both though

 

[Shooter6]

you can use thruster commander to dial in the flow with knob or use the Arduino Uno and create sketch to have in constant on or have reef crest, wave and one for certain seconds or min and off for certain seconds or min, limitless options,

So looking at the two recommended control options, I assume you need to I stall those into a co.puter cabinet, connect some form of power source? Have some form of software probably hardware as well to communicate with the board?

 

[ravi197699]

I have no idea what either of those are. I'll try to Google both though

Thruster commande is plug and play and don't need any code, you can set the thruster at one speed and they will stay on,

 

[ravi197699]

So looking at the two recommended control options, I assume you need to I stall those into a co.puter cabinet, connect some form of power source? Have some form of software probably hardware as well to communicate with the board?

you will need the thruster, Basic ESC (signal) power supply and commander or Arduino Uno board and I can share the sketch with you that you can copy paste in arduino,

 

[Shooter6]

you will need the thruster, Basic ESC (signal) power supply and commander or Arduino Uno board and I can share the sketch with you that you can copy paste in arduino,

I appreciate all the help. I reached out to my brother, who happens to be a robotic engineer. He laughed at me
Turns out he has a few cases of the aduino boards under his home desk. He said he will build me a controller program ect in about an hr and have an app I can interact with via my phone. Now I need to get the thrusters and find someone to print housings for me!!

 

[Shooter6]

One more question are you using the blue robotics thruster or the Chinese brand that look to be around half the price? I see metal screws or nuts on the exterior of the Chinese brand ones , so don't know how reef safe they are in comparison.

 

[Shooter6]

New T200 Brushless ROV Thruster – ROVMAKER

rovmaker.org

This is the Chinese brand one vs blue robotics

T200 Thruster

The T200 Thruster is the world's most popular underwater thruster motor to propel ROVs, AUVs, kayaks, SUPs, and surface vessels. Used in commercial vehicles, scientific research, MATE ROVs, DIY ROVs, and other projects.

bluerobotics.com

 

[Shooter6]

I recently make one similar to yours too.

May I ask how this design has worked out for you? Did you design it to allow the shaft to pivot freely?

I'm picturing the shaft being able to rotate maybe 40 degrees causing some random shifts in the output flow direction. I'd like info on the housing you made. Looks similar to the abyzz.