Using Thrusters as wave makers in aquariums

[ravi197699]

Thank you, sir!

no worries sir, this is the one I used but there are many more designs on web and one of the member here has one design as well which I would like to try as well

 

[Reef-Engineer]

I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.

 

[ravi197699]

I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.

Thank you for sharing your search and Diskdrive are very expensive that is why I went this route, my reef tank is loud as it is since there is a lot happening, any way for you to modify your thruster cage file so that thruster can set all the way in the cage flush from the front rather than sticking out alittle? if so it will make much neat to look at.

 

[solly]

I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.

Thank you, sir. I saw your previously recommended magnets and purchased them a few weeks ago. I'm excited to test this thruster out.

 

[buruskeee]

I skimmed through pages after the first. Is this a thread trying to experiment with boat bow thrusters????

 

[ravi197699]

I skimmed through pages after the first. Is this a thread trying to experiment with boat bow thrusters????

ROV thrusters,

 

[buruskeee]

ROV thrusters,

Ahhh ok, that makes more sense.

 

[Reef-Engineer]

Ahhh ok, that makes more sense.

unless your tank is real big....

 

[Reef-Engineer]

Ok without further ado, my gift to you, the thruster housing and outer cap. Standard disclaimer, dont sue me if anything goes wrong, I don't have any money anyway.

If you already have the magnets, you just need the long M3 hardware to join the housing to the thruster, and then a silicone mat to pad the inside to glass and a felt mat to pad the outside to glass. Also, I bonded the magnets to the parts with JB weld.

 

[solly]

Ok without further ado, my gift to you, the thruster housing and outer cap. Standard disclaimer, dont sue me if anything goes wrong, I don't have any money anyway.

If you already have the magnets, you just need the long M3 hardware to join the housing to the thruster, and then a silicone mat to pad the inside to glass and a felt mat to pad the outside to glass. Also, I bonded the magnets to the parts with JB weld.

Thank you very much. I'll get these going on the printer. I've got to get the screws still, but I've got all the other components ready to assemble. I'll keep you posted as this progresses!

 

[Reef-Engineer]

I am also writing up assembly instructions for the electronics. If you haven't already ordered your thruster, get it with a 3m cable instead of a 1m cable, it is like $20 more and WAAAAY easier to locate the electronics box with a longer cable.

 

[ravi197699]

I am also writing up assembly instructions for the electronics. If you haven't already ordered your thruster, get it with a 3m cable instead of a 1m cable, it is like $20 more and WAAAAY easier to locate the electronics box with a longer cable.

I agree with Reef-Engineer, If I knew that I could order this with longer cable, I would have done so!

 

[Reef-Engineer]

Here is a first whack at a how-to. It assumes you know how to load a program onto an arduino, but should cover the rest. Let me know your thoughts.

Hmm, I cant attach a powerpoint. so here is a zip of it

 

[ravi197699]

Here is a first whack at a how-to. It assumes you know how to load a program onto an arduino, but should cover the rest. Let me know your thoughts.

Hmm, I cant attach a powerpoint. so here is a zip of it

Thank you for sharing, ppt looks good, 80% of the work is same as I have for my set up, 20% is more of the speed controller and 3 way toggle switch, but looks good, thank you for putting this together,

 

[sawdonkey]

After a couple months of solid performance, my thruster is shutting off after a couple minutes of use. I can turn the power off, and back on again and it will fire up and work for. Few minutes until it stops.

I guess I've got some diagnosing to do.

 

[ravi197699]

After a couple months of solid performance, my thruster is shutting off after a couple minutes of use. I can turn the power off, and back on again and it will fire up and work for. Few minutes until it stops.

I guess I've got some diagnosing to do.

are you using arduino to drive your thrusters and what thrusters are you using t200 model?

 

[sawdonkey]

are you using arduino to drive your thrusters and what thrusters are you using t200 model?

Yes, Arduino, and T200. Got the code from @Reef-Engineer a while back.

 

[ravi197699]

Yes, Arduino, and T200. Got the code from @Reef-Engineer a while back.

do you hear any beeping sound from thrusters? if so how many beeps 2 or 3 ?

 

[sawdonkey]

do you hear any beeping sound from thrusters? if so how many beeps 2 or 3 ?

It does the initialization sound when I turn it on, then it just stops running a few minutes later with no beeps.

 

[ravi197699]

It does the initialization sound when I turn it on, then it just stops running a few minutes later with no beeps.

Testing this scenario will be process of illumination step by step, do you have pictures of your hardware connected? did you use the same build process as Reef Engineer with hardware?