From powerhead to wavemaker?

[Vinman]

I would tend to thing that might apply to a Dc setup but most powerheads are AC so it's that wouldn't work!

 

[fudge1]

But dont most A/C motors reverse when wires are switched....i dunno,im not much good with anything electrical.

Im still trying to get over the time i was working on a N/O ballast......that was still plugged in

,i just didnt think it was humanly possible to emit a shriek like that..heh

Thanks tho,anyone else?

Marc.

 

[fudge1]

Could anyone tell me if a relay were placed on the powercord of a powerhead,would current polarity change?...and change impeller direction?

Thanks,Marc.

 

[fudge1]

Thanks Troy,

Kinda thought it was a long shot...figured if it could be done,prolly would`ve bin done a while ago.

Thanx anyways tho,Marc.

 

[Green Lantern]

Marc, I talked to my Dad today, (he's an electrician), and though he wasn't positive, he didn't think that a relay would effect the powerhead.

 

[Anonymous]

Yu may want to check further only a few types of power heads can handle being turned on and of a hundred times a day. The most common ones sold will burn up almost immediately.

For a little more than the cost of materials Aquatechnics makes a plug stip that will turn two sets on and off at timed intervals for @ $40. Again the correct power heads are required.

 

[Green Lantern]

Marc, I guess my post wasn't clear. The relay won't effect the P.H. in a negative way. Might be worth a try. Depending on how the plumbing goes on the new tank I may not be using my wavemaker. If I don't I'll sell it to you cheap. Might be a bit of a wait though.

 

[Anonymous]

Troy

I troubleshooted and repaired control systems for 12 years before moving on to the biology field. The relay set up you are describing will without out a doubt burn up a power head that is not rated to ramp up or down or just cold stop the flow of electrical power to it as many times a day as a wave maker set up will do. This is fact not trail and error. You must have the proper Power heads and that is why they cost more.

 

[Green Lantern]

Dave is there a difference in doing what Marc is doing and using a wavemaker? What P.H. do yo suggest. I used MaxiJets on my wavemaker and had few problems. I'm aware of the problems associated with wavemakers but what do you do?

 

[Anonymous]

Maxi-jets are one of the best PH for wave makers and run $40 - $50 a piece. The set up you are describing is how to make a wave maker the only thing I am cautioning against is using the wrong type PH ie AQUA Clear and the lot of $20 to $30 PH. There are a few other PH that work also.

Your idea is correct just that the cheaper PH will burn up.

 

[Green Lantern]

Thanks Dave. Looks like there may be one piece of reef hardware that is cheaper up here in Canada. I get Maxijets for 18 to 33cdn. That's pretty good for you guys with the exchange rate

.

 

[fudge1]

Thanks guy`s,
I got about 200 old powerheads lying around,so it doesnt matter much if i wreck one or two in the process....

Go figure.....about $4000 to set up a reef,and im chincen on a 100 buck item! Sheesh!

I guess im a die hard Diy`er.

Thanks again guys,Marc.

 

[Anonymous]

My bad, I guess that is why Ivy does not send me shopping. I just got back from the LFS. The chaper power heads run $8 to $15. The better PH are $22 and up