The "Hitchhiker's Guide" to the Maxi-Stream mod - Page 5

apologeticus · #**101** 07/02/2006, 03:07 PM

PHEW!! Read 30 something pages, so I'm just gonna go ahead and ask this:

I'm setting up a 65g softie/LPS tank soon (36x18x24) and was going to drill a CL but might do this mod instead. I'll have about 300-400 GPH coming back from the sump. Any suggestions on which pump would be best for me? Would two MJ400's be good? not enough? too much?

dhnguyen · #**102** 07/02/2006, 03:13 PM

2 MJ400's might be too much in that tank since you're only keeping LPS and softies. You might be ok if you placed the pumps so that your corals won't be disturbed too much by the additional turbulence. For that size of a tank (36x18x24), you might even consider adding just one MJ600 mod and call it the day.

I have only 2 MJ400's for flow (no return as I have no sump) in my 55g mixed tank and there's plenty of flow for my SPS.

D.

apologeticus · #**103** 07/02/2006, 04:03 PM

thanks. I actually have a spare MJ600, but I only have the pump (no accessories). Are the mods for the 600 the same as the 400?

dhnguyen · #**104** 07/02/2006, 04:52 PM

Yes they are the same.

Kluver · #**105** 07/02/2006, 04:52 PM

On the same subject, which setup is better for a 40ga mix reef (getting into more SPS though)? I also have a 400-500gph return from sump.
option:
1. one MJ600
2. one MJ 900
3. two MJ400

dhnguyen · #**106** 07/02/2006, 04:56 PM

What's the dimension of that 40g?

I'm leaning towards 1 MJ600 on that one too based on your return flow.

Kluver · #**107** 07/02/2006, 05:00 PM

36" L x 15"W x 16"H. I was think that 1 MJ600 would be ok too but since I'm only using one PH in tank, I was leaning toward the 900.

apologeticus · #**108** 07/02/2006, 06:37 PM

OK: one more question: (I think) why is the MJ 400/600 mod different than the 900/1200? specifically, why the round holes instead of slits in the shroud?

Kluver · #**109** 07/02/2006, 07:10 PM

I believe the slit vs. the holes are different in that some people might not have the table saw to make the slits, so they drill instead. www.mjmods sells precut slits for the shroud. Some correct me if I'm wrong.

apologeticus · #**110** 07/02/2006, 07:37 PM

yeah, I was thinking about getting a shroud from there. just want to make sure it will work.

dandy7200 · #**111** 07/02/2006, 08:26 PM

Just curious why it says JohnL started this thread?

Kluver · #**112** 07/02/2006, 08:46 PM

He's the moderator and b/c this thread was split like 5 times, it shows him as starting the thread, when in fact dhnguyen did.

ellisz · #**113** 07/02/2006, 10:22 PM

I am using 2 MJ1200 with a single Dumas 3004 prop(1 large shroud and one Lutz shroud, a Seio 620 and a 600 gph return pump in my 75 gal. Seems to be working ok for me. The 2 MJ 1200's are on a 2 minute switching timer. I keep sps, zoos, a toadstool and a clam.

Kluver · #**114** 07/03/2006, 12:19 AM

I think i'm going w/ one MJ900 for my 40gal. Any thoughts on this? I figure that I will only be having one powerhead and my return (~400-500gph) for flow.

nebraskareef · #**115** 07/03/2006, 02:58 AM

Ive got a 900 running a 1435 right now, and while it does move the water, it's not enough for me. It really depends on what you are keeping, etc. Make one, perfect it, as small differences can either make this thing a blessing, or the bane of your existence...trust me on that.

Once you're sure you've got it running as good as you can, take time to work out the best way to position it, and then observe the tank to see if you need additional flow. I'm betting you won't.

Good luck,
Daniel

Kluver · #**116** 07/03/2006, 06:54 PM

I'm going to start adding more SPS. For now, I mainly have mixed (sofities, zoo's, LPS and SPS). Yeah, I'm really leaning toward 1 MJ900.

A quick question, did you have to cut the blade on the orginal impellar to make that extension so that u can attach the ridged tubing?

spectrajoel · #**117** 07/04/2006, 12:02 AM

Has anyone else experienced that the 1200's are noisier than the 900's? I have done this mod to several mj's but the only one that came close to being dead quiet have been the 900's. If I take the magent/prop assembley and the shroud from a 1200 and put in on a 900 the pump is near inaudible, but those same parts on the 1200 make a vibrational type of noise. Same parts except for the motor itself. Any ideas? I think that I can rule out assembly issues due to the fact that I am using all the same parts except for the motors.

Also, are the AQ's with the fiixed shaft quieter than the mj's? This is a great mod, but I really want it to be dead quiet!

Thanks,

Joel

lmkjma · #**118** 07/04/2006, 10:06 AM

Guys,

Here some information that I had posted back on page 30 something and additional information was posted by dhnguyen.

No matter what MJ you have, they only spin at 1800rpm (tested by an optical tach) regardless of the prop. D, mentioned that they operate off of frequency versus voltage.

The design of the prop is going to dictate whether you need a 4, 6, 9 or a 1200. This is because of the amount of torque required to get the prop spinning.

I know sorting through the pages is a pain so I just wanted to share again what I found out when I did the testing.

apologeticus · #**119** 07/04/2006, 10:32 AM

thanks for the info, lmkjma. that makes sense. now I'm wishing I would have ordered a MJ400 for my new setup instead of the 600, though. with a single prop sounds like the only effective difference is that the 600 will use more juice!

apologeticus · #**120** 07/04/2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
2 MJ400's might be too much in that tank since you're only keeping LPS and softies. You might be ok if you placed the pumps so that your corals won't be disturbed too much by the additional turbulence. For that size of a tank (36x18x24), you might even consider adding just one MJ600 mod and call it the day.

I have only 2 MJ400's for flow (no return as I have no sump) in my 55g mixed tank and there's plenty of flow for my SPS.

D.

and that has me wondering: D, were you suggesting that a single prop or double prop MJ 600 would be good in my 65g? I had planned to make a single (and actually already ordered the parts). just wanted to make sure we're on the same page.

BTW, happy 4th, everyone!

dhnguyen · #**121** 07/04/2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spectrajoel
Has anyone else experienced that the 1200's are noisier than the 900's? I have done this mod to several mj's but the only one that came close to being dead quiet have been the 900's. If I take the magent/prop assembley and the shroud from a 1200 and put in on a 900 the pump is near inaudible, but those same parts on the 1200 make a vibrational type of noise. Same parts except for the motor itself. Any ideas? I think that I can rule out assembly issues due to the fact that I am using all the same parts except for the motors.

Also, are the AQ's with the fiixed shaft quieter than the mj's? This is a great mod, but I really want it to be dead quiet!

Thanks,

Joel

Yes it is true that a MJ900 will be quieter and offer less vibration than a MJ1200. This was covered a way back on the initial thread prior to the first split

The MJ900 also uses less electricity too and is inherently more efficient than the MJ1200 when used on smaller props (Octura 1435 and smaller) Where it makes the difference to use a MJ1200 is when you start to use the larger Octura 1240 or 1440 and Dumas 3004 (1.75") props as the MJ1200 will have the extra torque needed while the MJ900 may not.

D.

dhnguyen · #**122** 07/04/2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apologeticus
thanks for the info, lmkjma. that makes sense. now I'm wishing I would have ordered a MJ400 for my new setup instead of the 600, though. with a single prop sounds like the only effective difference is that the 600 will use more juice!

Depending on the prop, the MJ4000 may or may not be able to spin it. I am using the weakest 1.25" Dumas prop on my MJ400's for example. The difference in electricity usage between the MJ400 and MJ600 is also merely 2.5W.

dhnguyen · #**123** 07/04/2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apologeticus
and that has me wondering: D, were you suggesting that a single prop or double prop MJ 600 would be good in my 65g? I had planned to make a single (and actually already ordered the parts). just wanted to make sure we're on the same page.

BTW, happy 4th, everyone!

I have found single propeller to be quieter and more efficient.
With double props, you getting maybe 1/4 to 1/3 more flow from the extra prop but the additional vibration and noise will be substantially more.

Get an Octura Y531 or Nitro Hammer prop for that MJ600. You might be ok to use an Octura 1435 as well.

D.

Snarkys · #**124** 07/04/2006, 11:49 AM

lol... i was having better luck on the 1200's : )

who knows ...

apologeticus · #**125** 07/04/2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
I have found single propeller to be quieter and more efficient.
With double props, you getting maybe 1/4 to 1/3 more flow from the extra prop but the additional vibration and noise will be substantially more.

Get an Octura Y531 or Nitro Hammer prop for that MJ600. You might be ok to use an Octura 1435 as well.

D.

thanks. already ordered the Octura 1435. I'll let everyone know how it works. will probably be over a week before I set it up