Flow alternatives to vortecs

[DukeNJ]

Hi folks,

Have been noticing build up of detritus lately and want to add flow. Have good laminar flow, but that doesn't seem to stir things up much. The vortec products look great but so expensive for a whole system.

Are there more reasonable alternatives to vortecs that are almost as effective and unobtrusive? I stumbled into these... Not quite the same, but what do you think? What else is out there that can add some turbulent flow without adding a lot of big ugly devices like coralias to a tank???
http://www.fish-street.com/boyu_wm-3_wave_maker_magnet_version?category_id=35

 

[Tom Barr]

A good one is the Maxi Jet with a sure flow adapter.
I buy these round plastic mesh pipes that can be cut to length that prevent fish and other critters from being sucked in and works better than the a sponge cover etc.

Cost , about 18-20$+ 10-15$ for the adapter.
These have been better than most of the others I've used and tried in the cheaper range.

But........the goal is really to increase flow and surface movement........so often a small Rio 200-800 range is all that's required to do that up to about 60-80 Gal tank.

Regards,
Tom Barr



Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[shoggoth43]

Size of the tank?

The Seieo prop pumps are fairly inexpensive compared to the Koralias. They're a little boxier but slimmer so they may hide better. The cords are pretty thick though which makes it a bit hard to get them to stay put.

The Koralia nano pumps are pretty small so that may work well for you. One or two might work fine. I'd probably go with the more powerful model of Nano. The larger ones do start to get noticeable, but on larger tanks just kind of sit there and don't draw attention to themselves. The change in flow in my tank going to a 1050 was so dramatic I can't see why I didn't do that sooner.

Whichever method you choose, the prop pumps will probably be your most efficient pump/powerhead option, but you won't have an option for attaching things like a spraybar to them.

Another plumbing option if you have an over the top return might be multiple inlets via a manifold or something like Loc-Line and nozzles. This would let you point a nozzle into a trouble spot, but that may alter your flow too much and cause other problems.

-
S

 

[DukeNJ]

Thanks S. I have a SEIO now. It is a good one. The mount rotates 180 giving more flexibility than koralias. Mine is currently turned flush against the back wall firing 45 degree up along back from low in the tank. It's purpose us to create more surface agitation at night.

I'm finding detritus settling Near the front of the tank. A series of controlled vortecs along the back firing forward randomly is what I would like to try, but $1000 seems so out of line I just can't do it.

That wavemaking sun sun kit on my first post looks interesting. Hard to tell scale but it looks koralia-ish.

Surprised the vortec hasn't been cloned yet. using magnets for drive transfer seem like on of those obvious ideas that can be replicated for less by anyone that wants to...like wheels on luggage.

 

[shoggoth43]

The magnet part isn't hard. I recall some old HOB filters that used a magnetic impeller so that the plastic box had no holes in it, this would be the early 80s or late 70s even. It rotated a magnet on the other side so I'm not sure that's completely the same as the Vortec units. I suspect the only moving part on the Vortec is on the inside of the tank ( I've never seen one in person ), but the idea is certainly the same and seems easy enough. I suspect the harder part is the control of the unit. Although to be honest I'd be fine with a single speed unit like the Koralias or even a simple twisty knob < highly technical term > adjustment. I'm not the EE but I can't see what patents wouldn't already be expired/invalidated at this point anyway since there's two other ( at least ) prop pump makers on the market AND there's prior art for an impeller driven by magnets and separated by some material.

-
S