Using Thrusters as wave makers in aquariums

Reef-Engineer

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I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.
 
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ravi197699

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I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.
Thank you for sharing your search and Diskdrive are very expensive that is why I went this route, my reef tank is loud as it is since there is a lot happening, any way for you to modify your thruster cage file so that thruster can set all the way in the cage flush from the front rather than sticking out alittle? if so it will make much neat to look at.
 

solly

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I have been reading up on sound and apparently the axial drive thrusters (like the Diskdrive 50) are supposed to be much quieter in operation, but they are high current for lower thrust, so definitely less efficient. Still working on quieting.... plus that diskdrive 50 is like $500 for the little one!

I'll find my thruster housing print design and post it up here. It works great, but you need to buy magnets and screws to use it.
Thank you, sir. I saw your previously recommended magnets and purchased them a few weeks ago. I'm excited to test this thruster out.
 

buruskeee

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I skimmed through pages after the first. Is this a thread trying to experiment with boat bow thrusters????
 

Reef-Engineer

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Ok without further ado, my gift to you, the thruster housing and outer cap. Standard disclaimer, dont sue me if anything goes wrong, I don't have any money anyway.

If you already have the magnets, you just need the long M3 hardware to join the housing to the thruster, and then a silicone mat to pad the inside to glass and a felt mat to pad the outside to glass. Also, I bonded the magnets to the parts with JB weld.
 

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  • Latest housings V2.zip
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solly

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Ok without further ado, my gift to you, the thruster housing and outer cap. Standard disclaimer, dont sue me if anything goes wrong, I don't have any money anyway.

If you already have the magnets, you just need the long M3 hardware to join the housing to the thruster, and then a silicone mat to pad the inside to glass and a felt mat to pad the outside to glass. Also, I bonded the magnets to the parts with JB weld.
Thank you very much. I'll get these going on the printer. I've got to get the screws still, but I've got all the other components ready to assemble. I'll keep you posted as this progresses!
 

Reef-Engineer

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I am also writing up assembly instructions for the electronics. If you haven't already ordered your thruster, get it with a 3m cable instead of a 1m cable, it is like $20 more and WAAAAY easier to locate the electronics box with a longer cable.
 
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ravi197699

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I am also writing up assembly instructions for the electronics. If you haven't already ordered your thruster, get it with a 3m cable instead of a 1m cable, it is like $20 more and WAAAAY easier to locate the electronics box with a longer cable.
I agree with Reef-Engineer, If I knew that I could order this with longer cable, I would have done so!
 

Reef-Engineer

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Here is a first whack at a how-to. It assumes you know how to load a program onto an arduino, but should cover the rest. Let me know your thoughts.

Hmm, I cant attach a powerpoint. so here is a zip of it
 

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  • T200 Thruster How To - Reef_Engineer V1.zip
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ravi197699

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Here is a first whack at a how-to. It assumes you know how to load a program onto an arduino, but should cover the rest. Let me know your thoughts.

Hmm, I cant attach a powerpoint. so here is a zip of it
Thank you for sharing, ppt looks good, 80% of the work is same as I have for my set up, 20% is more of the speed controller and 3 way toggle switch, but looks good, thank you for putting this together,
 

Figuring out the why: Has your primary reason(s) for keeping a saltwater aquarium changed over time?

  • My reasons for reef keeping have changed dramatically.

    Votes: 7 7.9%
  • My reasons for reef keeping have somewhat evolved.

    Votes: 36 40.4%
  • My reasons for reef keeping have no changed.

    Votes: 45 50.6%
  • Other.

    Votes: 1 1.1%
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