wave simulations

surfn · Jan 3, 2007

after seeing the wave box set up the georgia aquarium has, i think i need to do something to get some more random flow into my tank.

however, i am not the CEO of a major building supply store...so i do have a budget.

would like to know what everyone does for their random flow. i do use some of the tunze nano streams though (the 6025's), i dont intend to drop $200 plus $250 for the controller and pump for the 6055's either.

was thinking about just putting 2 MJ1200's on a cheapo $30 wave timer, preferbly one that can get down to 20-30sec.

are there any other neat controllers out there under $150? (not including pumps obviously), or something that can be done with the 6025's?

ficklefins · Jan 3, 2007

Al,

The look is a bit ghetto, but I use the Melevsreef MJ mod for my 900 and it works pretty good.

http://melevsreef.com/2005/10/maxijet-modification-if-youll-take-10.html

I will eventually have it on a digital timer so that it will switch on and off also switching directions. The only thing I changed from his directions was the addition of a flap below the outlet area. When the MJ spins in a certain direction it shoots the water at a very downard angle. I used the directional part at the end of the maxijet nozzle to make the flap.

ficklefins · Jan 3, 2007

BTW,

Lowes sells a cheap digital timer that has a random on/off feature on it. My first one died on me, but I think that was my own fault

ficklefins · Jan 3, 2007

Just because I like to see how many times I can bug you here are a few more links:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=334887

Click on the top left pic to see the direction change
http://www.geocities.com/nivenboug/Cutmaxijets.html

BTW, I think I may cut too much of mine off, but the next two will be better.

chadfarmer · Jan 3, 2007

had a wavebox on my 58 with 2 6000

on the smaller tanks was cool but takes up a lot of room-- if you got a long tank that is were it works the best

surfn · Jan 3, 2007

ficklefins said:
Al,

The look is a bit ghetto, but I use the Melevsreef MJ mod for my 900 and it works pretty good.

http://melevsreef.com/2005/10/maxijet-modification-if-youll-take-10.html

I will eventually have it on a digital timer so that it will switch on and off also switching directions. The only thing I changed from his directions was the addition of a flap below the outlet area. When the MJ spins in a certain direction it shoots the water at a very downard angle. I used the directional part at the end of the maxijet nozzle to make the flap.

well, thats exactly what i was planning to do. i guess my question was geared more toward the controlling device/power strip used in the on/off functions.

there are alot of different ones out there, and i'm looking for one that can control at least 2 on/off for a min of 20sec. like this: but i guess the control device turns them all off and on at the same time, and you can't control them individually.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10397polyps.JPG

HOWEVER, i really like the idea of scaling back the flow at night, and a button i can hit to turn off all the pumps while i feed. right now, when i feed i have to hit the off button on one power strip, unplug a pump on another power strip, and unplug 2 more pumps on another power strip. kind of a pain to explain to someone coming over to feed the fish for a weekend. i'm afraid they'll unplug something they shouldn't be, so i tied different colored string around certain plugs. .

this one seems pretty cool.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=RF-WAVE-RFWC&Category_Code=Wavemaking

chadfarmer said:
had a wavebox on my 58 with 2 6000

on the smaller tanks was cool but takes up a lot of room-- if you got a long tank that is were it works the best

nope, can't do a wave box. this will be on a ~45g cube design.

keep those comments coming!! :study:

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

"chauvet channel" something, google that
edit:
here is one, a better price can be found

http://www.instrumentpro.com/P-CHASF4005

and surfn, here is the bulb for the fuge:
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Reflectors/1P381951
and a thread about them
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=828716&highlight=bulbs+for+fuge
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=810824

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

an aquacontroller jr. can do all that as well, i highly suggest picking one up if you have the means.

Mr.Firemouth · Jan 4, 2007

Oceans Motion makes wake products that rotate and change direction. Very nice.
I have a Sea Swirl. Nice also.

Ultimate wave action...Surge tank! No doubt. Every tank in the back of Inland Aquatics has surge buckets that are also algal scrubbers. Tanks...WOW!!! They have a 2' Sachrophyton leather! That's big!(across the head!) They have coral polyps from reproduction everywhere in the fiberglass tubs! The place is very cool from a filtration/circulation stand point!

surfn · Jan 4, 2007

twon8 said:
an aquacontroller jr. can do all that as well, i highly suggest picking one up if you have the means.

oh, i totally forgot about the JR. version. i must have been looking at the next model up which was too pricey for me.

but, it seems like you have to buy a whole lot of accessories just to get the thing running. does it come with anything in the basic version?

that basically has all the versatility that i need, without multiple timers for different functions. i'm just worried about how many extra outlets you have to buy with it in order to use all the functions on the controller.

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=NEP-ACJR-SERUP&Category_Code=Neptune

you need this for 149.95,plus the dc8 at 75. you can also get a ph probe, but without a calcium reactor that is not a necessity.
it is totally worth it,

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

the dc8 has 8 outlets, all controllable.
the feed button is also great, it turns off whatever you program it to turn off for as long as you program it to.

surfn · Jan 4, 2007

twon8 said:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=NEP-ACJR-SERUP&Category_Code=Neptune

you need this for 149.95,plus the dc8 at 75. you can also get a ph probe, but without a calcium reactor that is not a necessity.
it is totally worth it,

ahh, i didnt see the drop down box that said the DC8 was only $75. going back and looking the entire neptune products page. i see listed on there, a DC8 that is $160. is this the same thing? why so much more expensive?
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=NEP-DC8&Category_Code=Neptune

yeah, i dont really care about my pH since i dont dose kalk and dont have a calcium or nilsen reactor.

does the basic model come with a pH probe? i would like to have that though.

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

drop down box has probe options,

they give the deal on the dc8 with the aqjr, part of neptune's package, afaik it is exactly the same as the one for 160.

surfn · Jan 4, 2007

twon8 said:
drop down box has probe options,

they give the deal on the dc8 with the aqjr, part of neptune's package, afaik it is exactly the same as the one for 160.

oops, i meant does it come with the temperature probe, but i think i read that it did.

as far as the temperature controller goes, can you use any heater with it? how does that work? do you crank the heater up to max, and the controller will turn it on/off accordingly?

so the max you could use on the aqjr is a DC8 and a DC4? i.e. 12 programmable outlets.

Raptor · Jan 4, 2007

Yes 12 controlled outlest is it, and plenty. JMO I run the Jr on my 180. It doesnt conroll everything, But it does my vitals like kalk reactor,lights,heater,fans,moonlights, and ca/rx.
What i do for the heater is have it set 1 degree warmer than my controller temp, and then if one is out of wack the other will hopefully catch it.
If my tank does get too hot then fans will turn on, and halides will go off.
Its a little bit of insurance, and alot of convienience.

surfn · Jan 4, 2007

moonlights are part of your vitals? lol

Raptor · Jan 4, 2007

Yeah untill something bumps it off then on a reg timer it goes, or i'll pony up for the dc4. LOL
I hate to spend 150 bucks on a 4 plug outlet.
My halides takes up 2 plugs, heater 1, fan 1, kalk reactor 2 (one for feed pump, and 1 to stir it every 4 hrs) moonlight takes 1 plug. If i ever get a chiller which i dont need now that plug will fire up the chiller.
Thats right i took the ca/rx off beause i thought the kalk was more of a threat. The ca/rx is just on a switched outlet.

twon8 · Jan 4, 2007

surfn said:
moonlights are part of your vitals? lol

how else do you expect the corals to know when to get busy with the copulation?

pookstreet · Jan 4, 2007

I currently run 2 Nano Stream 6025's in my 30 and soon will have a WavySea fed by an Eheim 1262 from the sump return. The combination should produce some pretty good turbulant water movement.