DIY wave maker oscillating device for reef tanks

[HOBtx79]

Here is the video in action,

How do you have the powerheads attached to the down pvc poles?

Detailed step by step instructions on assembly of it all?

 

[don_pips]

Sweet I’m working on a version using a servo and an arduino module

 

[ravi197699]

Sweet I’m working on a version using a servo and an arduino module

Please share the details when you are done building this,

 

[don_pips]

Sweet I’m working on a version using a servo and an arduino module

Please share the details when you are done building this,

Will do.

 

[ravi197699]

I am also building similar with 12v gear motor, driver and arduino nano to make smaller version, hopefully I get the sketch correct and it will turn the motor back and forth 100 or 120 deg or what ever sweep I like

 

[ravi197699]

Here are the pictures of the motor connected to 1.5 inch threaded can and then coupling then 1.5 inch to 3/4 threaded reducer, paddle 3d printed goes in coupling and pump is mounted on paddle

 

[benfish65]

Hello Reefers, I was looking for device for my wave makers to turn left and right, pretty much 180 deg turns so that wave maker can provide flow to all my corals and I don't have to use the wave maker at high speed for flow to reach on the other side of the tank, currently I am using 4 thrusters in my 800 gallon tank but they push water in 1 fixed direction but issue is some corals are getting blasted and some are happy and some don't get enough flow, I watched video for large reef tank where 4 wave makers are suspended in water with similar device and they are mounted 1 in each corner of the tank and device is turning all 4 wave makers left to right providing flow to all corals, there are no magnets on the glass which is plus wires run through pvc and I wanted to implement the same design but when I started searching for devices that are available and quality of the devices, I started searching for alternatives, so after doing some research I found video of micro controller that changes the polarity of the 12v motor and timing of the turn can be adjusted by seconds as well, it was simple design, so I bought 12v center shaft geared motor, micro controller and 12v adjustable power supply and I was happy with the outcome, below is the video of the motor on and turning, I did not make any changes to the setting of the micro controller, this is out of the box setting, please see the video of the youtube video,

Thanks for the video. Could you please tell me what parts you used and where you sourced them?

 

[don_pips]

Hello Reefers, I was looking for device for my wave makers to turn left and right, pretty much 180 deg turns so that wave maker can provide flow to all my corals and I don't have to use the wave maker at high speed for flow to reach on the other side of the tank, currently I am using 4 thrusters in my 800 gallon tank but they push water in 1 fixed direction but issue is some corals are getting blasted and some are happy and some don't get enough flow, I watched video for large reef tank where 4 wave makers are suspended in water with similar device and they are mounted 1 in each corner of the tank and device is turning all 4 wave makers left to right providing flow to all corals, there are no magnets on the glass which is plus wires run through pvc and I wanted to implement the same design but when I started searching for devices that are available and quality of the devices, I started searching for alternatives, so after doing some research I found video of micro controller that changes the polarity of the 12v motor and timing of the turn can be adjusted by seconds as well, it was simple design, so I bought 12v center shaft geared motor, micro controller and 12v adjustable power supply and I was happy with the outcome, below is the video of the motor on and turning, I did not make any changes to the setting of the micro controller, this is out of the box setting, please see the video of the youtube video,

Thanks for the video. Could you please tell me what parts you used and where you sourced them?

Look in the previous posts

 

[ravi197699]

This is the updated version of the oscillating device with 12v gear motor, list and cost of the parts is below and pictures are attached along with the video. I am controlling this with arduino controller and simple sketch that can be updated with change in milliseconds to control the sweep, I have mine at ~120 deg sweep approximately, I will be using PVC pipe or square tube to enclose everything, but if you can 3d print the enclosing case that will be even better but I don't have the 3D printer so I will do something with PVC.

Arduino Nano - 19.99 - 5Pcs​

12v Motor 10 rpm - 14.99​

BTS7960 Driver - 22.99 - 5Pcs
6mm Flange Coupling 7.98 - 4Pcs

DC Converter 12V to 5V 3A 15W DC Buck Converter ModuleType-C USB Power Adapter - 9.99 2Pcs​

Sketch for Arduino Nano - green bold line is there you can increase or decrease the sweep of the motor, higher the number bigger the sweep and lower the number will lower the deg of the sweep/ rotation, you get the idea, I have attached the picture of the wiring diagram interface between Arduino nano and BTS7960 Driver,


#define RPWM 5
#define LPWM 6
#define REN 7
#define LEN 8
int pwm = 80; // speed (adjust if needed)
unsigned long sweepMs = 6500; // increased from 3000 → now ~120°
unsigned long pauseMs = 400; // pause at each end
void setup() {
pinMode(RPWM, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LPWM, OUTPUT);
pinMode(REN, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LEN, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(REN, HIGH);
digitalWrite(LEN, HIGH);
}
void stopMotor() {
analogWrite(RPWM, 0);
analogWrite(LPWM, 0);
}
void forward() {
analogWrite(RPWM, pwm);
analogWrite(LPWM, 0);
}
void reverse() {
analogWrite(RPWM, 0);
analogWrite(LPWM, pwm);
}
void loop() {
// Move Forward
forward();
delay(sweepMs);
stopMotor();
delay(pauseMs);
// Move Reverse
reverse();
delay(sweepMs);
stopMotor();
delay(pauseMs);
}

 

[don_pips]

This is the updated version of the oscillating device with 12v gear motor, list and cost of the parts is below and pictures are attached along with the video. I am controlling this with arduino controller and simple sketch that can be updated with change in milliseconds to control the sweep, I have mine at ~120 deg sweep approximately, I will be using PVC pipe or square tube to enclose everything, but if you can 3d print the enclosing case that will be even better but I don't have the 3D printer so I will do something with PVC.

Arduino Nano - 19.99 - 5Pcs​

12v Motor 10 rpm - 14.99​

BTS7960 Driver - 22.99 - 5Pcs
6mm Flange Coupling 7.98 - 4Pcs

DC Converter 12V to 5V 3A 15W DC Buck Converter ModuleType-C USB Power Adapter - 9.99 2Pcs​

Sketch for Arduino Nano - green bold line is there you can increase or decrease the sweep of the motor, higher the number bigger the sweep and lower the number will lower the deg of the sweep/ rotation, you get the idea, I have attached the picture of the wiring diagram interface between Arduino nano and BTS7960 Driver,


#define RPWM 5
#define LPWM 6
#define REN 7
#define LEN 8
int pwm = 80; // speed (adjust if needed)
unsigned long sweepMs = 6500; // increased from 3000 → now ~120°
unsigned long pauseMs = 400; // pause at each end
void setup() {
pinMode(RPWM, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LPWM, OUTPUT);
pinMode(REN, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LEN, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(REN, HIGH);
digitalWrite(LEN, HIGH);
}
void stopMotor() {
analogWrite(RPWM, 0);
analogWrite(LPWM, 0);
}
void forward() {
analogWrite(RPWM, pwm);
analogWrite(LPWM, 0);
}
void reverse() {
analogWrite(RPWM, 0);
analogWrite(LPWM, pwm);
}
void loop() {
// Move Forward
forward();
delay(sweepMs);
stopMotor();
delay(pauseMs);
// Move Reverse
reverse();
delay(sweepMs);
stopMotor();
delay(pauseMs);
}

Great job! Mines slightly different I will post when completed

 

[ravi197699]

Great job! Mines slightly different I will post when completed

Sure, looking forward to seeing your build,

 

[don_pips]

Here is the video in action,

did u coat the magnet side in anything to prevent corrosion?

 

[ravi197699]

did u coat the magnet side in anything to prevent corrosion?

2 part liquid epoxy is used to coat the magnet

 

[LittleReeferThatCould]

Hello, are the quantities you listed for each part due to you making multiple oscillators? More specifically, what would be needed to create two of them? Could two motors operate from a single controller and driver or is there a restriction due to wiring and/or power outputs? Thanks in advance!

 

[ravi197699]

you can control multiple motors with Arduino but 1 driver per motor, but depending on how far the motors are from each other will determine length of the wires between the arduino controller to 2 different drivers,

 

[LittleReeferThatCould]

I appreciate your quick response, however I'm far from an electrical engineer and would like some clarification on your design. In the wiring diagram you included, it says that you're using the Uno Rev 3 as the controller. Judging from your pictures, it is unclear to me how that is wired in, as it appears that the Arduino Nano is in its place. My understanding so far is that you have 12V DC power going into a CPT DC converter and stepping down to 5V (USB type C), to the Arduino Nano, into the driver (BTS7960), then to the motor. Am I missing something?

 

[ravi197699]

no issues buddy, so just to clarify connections and pins are the same on Arduino Uno and Nano, there is no diffference, Nano comes with more options when it comes out pin outs, I have 12v power going to driver and from same connection I installed 12v to 5v step down buck to keep my Nano powered so I don't have to use different power supply, motor is connected to motor out connections on driver and this is about it, wiring diagram shows connections from Arduino nano and driver which controls the forward and reverse on drive and sweep on the motor, please do ask if any further clarification is needed,

 

[LittleReeferThatCould]

How did you go about choosing the correct gauge of wiring to connect the nano to the driver? Did any of the components come with wiring or did you source that separately?

 

[ravi197699]

How did you go about choosing the correct gauge of wiring to connect the nano to the driver? Did any of the components come with wiring or did you source that separately?

you don't need heavy gauge wire to connect nano to driver since you are only doing pwm signal to control the speed and sweep, but I would use regular 12v wires to connect the power supply to driver to motor,

 

[SlvrZ]

Do you have a affiliate link with the parts list that we can use to support your efforts as well as build along side with you?