Using Thrusters as wave makers in aquariums

[Shooter6]

velocity=F/(density×A)

9 kg of thrust should be about 88 newtons of force.

The 110 mm output should be an area of 0.0095125m^2

water is 1000 kg/m^3

Velocity=9.29m/s

Volume flow rate= velocity*A

= 0.0088 m^3/s= 88 liters per second=85k gph (about 10x the jebao power heads I'm using)

assuming 100% efficiency and that my math is right

If I'm reading this right your saying 85000gph on your setup. That's 2 t500 and 2 t200 units right?

 

[Seneca]

If I'm reading this right your saying 85000gph on your setup. That's 2 t500 and 2 t200 units right?

No.

I mean, that's close to the output of all the powerheads I have now combined.

But I was referring to one of these units with about 9 kg of thrust.

ApisQueen 24V/12V one U92 Set Underwater Thruster with Waterproof remo

24V U92 Set Underwater thruster with Waterproof remote control Voltage: 24VMaximum current: 45AThrust: 9.2KgOutput power: 1280W ESC :100A (waterproof) Thruster material: composite material, one-piece molding. Notice:U92 150KV support voltage: 12-24V . U92 300KV support voltage: 12-16V . Set...

www.underwaterthruster.com

 

[Shooter6]

No.

I mean, that's close to the output of all the powerheads I have now combined.

But I was referring to one of these units with about 9 kg of thrust.

ApisQueen 24V/12V one U92 Set Underwater Thruster with Waterproof remo

24V U92 Set Underwater thruster with Waterproof remote control Voltage: 24VMaximum current: 45AThrust: 9.2KgOutput power: 1280W ESC :100A (waterproof) Thruster material: composite material, one-piece molding. Notice:U92 150KV support voltage: 12-24V . U92 300KV support voltage: 12-16V . Set...

www.underwaterthruster.com

So your math calculations are 85000gph for a single one.of these at full 9kg output? That is close to all my powerboats combined as well. At peak I have about 124000 gph output in my larger tank. When all units are freshly cleaned. That of course is less as they are each pulsing on random ( else) and all pointed in different directions.

 

[Seneca]

Yes.

Well these are for pushing boats.

 

[Shooter6]

Yes.

Well these are for pushing boats.

Thank you for your math! I will definitely be trying them out. Not sure what size I will settle on but will be using at least 2. I'm sure my electric bill will be happy with me if I can remove 8 powerheads and 4 return pumps. I will need to compare the wattage used by all those vs these, but seems like it will be significantly less. I know amps draw is less.

 

[Shooter6]

Found these, for the use as wavemakers, this may be the ultimate choice!!

https://www.hydromea.com/diskdrive-thruster-technology

 

[ravi197699]

I won't even attempt to check your math, now can you translate that to an estimated gph lol.

I second that, but folks there are plenty of gallons per hr these things can push, here is are some of the pictures of my set up, sorry for the picuture of the truster in blue, actinic lights were on, look at the suface of the sump, neat and clean, this thruster keeps everything suspended for skimmer to pull it out,

 

[Shooter6]

I didn't doubt the output of these after seeing some videos online. My reasoning for trying to figure out gph output was only to be able to correlate what each thruster moves compared to my current wavemakers.

If I can use 2 thrusters to move the same amount of gph as the 10 wavemakers I currently run, and maybe 4 to get the same flow as the 10 wavemakers and 4 closed loop pumps that is a huge savings in upfront money, maintenance, and replacements.

May also be a huge Power consumption break as well. I know that it will free up multiple plugs on Power bars. Possibly allow the elimination of up to two 4ft bars!!

 

[ravi197699]

I didn't doubt the output of these after seeing some videos online. My reasoning for trying to figure out gph output was only to be able to correlate what each thruster moves compared to my current wavemakers.

If I can use 2 thrusters to move the same amount of gph as the 10 wavemakers I currently run, and maybe 4 to get the same flow as the 10 wavemakers and 4 closed loop pumps that is a huge savings in upfront money, maintenance, and replacements.

May also be a huge Power consumption break as well. I know that it will free up multiple plugs on Power bars. Possibly allow the elimination of up to two 4ft bars!!

this can be achieved by writing sketch for Arduino and you can controll more than 1 thruster with Arduino and all will create wave or surge, you can change the thrust power and seconds or miliseconds pause, it tried it and wave was awesome but l like surge mode better where thrusters come on 15% for 4 ro 5 seconds and then take pause, it is more like reef crest mode..

 

[Shooter6]

this can be achieved by writing sketch for Arduino and you can controll more than 1 thruster with Arduino and all will create wave or surge, you can change the thrust power and seconds or miliseconds pause, it tried it and wave was awesome but l like surge mode better where thrusters come on 15% for 4 ro 5 seconds and then take pause, it is more like reef crest mode..

Did you see the rim driven ones I linked? The cophegen one shows a video of it switching from forward to reverse. I was thinking having one to two per side doing this, switching the output direction with a pause between will most closely resemble currents in the reef. Hopefully with a huge undertow created. My brother said he can build me an app to go with these using the Arduino that works via Bluetooth or wifi and I'll be able to change the flow patterns ect via my phone or tablet. Ilk see just how many options he can program and if I can I'll share that with you .

 

[ColoredRock]

 

[Shooter6]

Yes I posted a link to these earlier. 500.00 for the 50 and about 900.00 for the larger model, the 80. I see these as the ultimate option for this project.

 

[ColoredRock]

Yes I posted a link to these earlier. 500.00 for the 50 and about 900.00 for the larger model, the 80. I see these as the ultimate option for this project.

Its an interesting concept... looking at the video it looks so simple.. was hoping others would chime in.

 

[ravi197699]

This is awesome and great design

 

[Shooter6]

Its an interesting concept... looking at the video it looks so simple.. was hoping others would chime in.

This is the larger model the 80 with a forcing cone on the output.

 

[ColoredRock]

Rim-driven thruster - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Shooter6]

500.00 us. For the smaller one I see these as a great option for us with larger aquariums. As I calculate it right now, 2 of these along with brackets, controller, possibly a large 3d printed random flow generator nozzle your looking at total cost of 1200.00ish
That is a reasonable cost. For the amount of flow possible.

 

[c4haskett]

I have absolutely no use for one of these right now, but that does not stop me from being entirely intrigued at the possibility of building one of these. I'm saving this thread for later because whenever I get a bigger tank, this is what I want to do. I saw some one on here had made a 3D printed mounting option with PVC pipe to hide the wires and hold the thruster in place. It would be cool to add an actuator to the top and make the PVC turn. There is a European company that sells this already but can't rember the name. Pair that with the thruster and a little controlability, you've got some perfect results.

Edit: Here is the site https://www.seawatersolutions.de/en/collections/ocean-motion/products/1-x-oceanmotion-dreheinheit-1

 

[c4haskett]

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[ravi197699]

500.00 us. For the smaller one I see these as a great option for us with larger aquariums. As I calculate it right now, 2 of these along with brackets, controller, possibly a large 3d printed random flow generator nozzle your looking at total cost of 1200.00ish
That is a reasonable cost. For the amount of flow possible.

I agree with you, please let me know when you 3d print brackets and cage for your unit, I would love to take the file from you and try to print myself as well, there are few designs for cage on thingiverse where code is available to download, this will give me the opportunity to learn 3d printing as well,