Cut off tips of powerheads?

[fishfanatic06]

I have heard of people doing this, but I was not exactly sure why they do this. What is the benefit of cutting off the tips of your powerheads? Do any of you guys do this?

[Madman133]

not i said the ummm....madman lol

[FishnWishn]

I know some that do it use MaxiJets on wavemakers. When the MaxiJets turn on and off the impeller may turn in either direction. Cutting the nozzle off exposes the impeller and allows the flow to go right or left out of the powerhead. This creates a more random flow. At least that's what I have been told.

[Madman133]

huh...never heard that before

[mbunakeith]

fishnwishn is right. they also do it so the flow out of the nozzle isnt so concentrated in a narrow stream. when the tip is cutoff the flow is less direct, but more random.

[fishfanatic06]

I guess I will do that. Sounds like a good idea! Any last thoughts?

[mbunakeith]

just get the maxijet mod for it instead.

[fishfanatic06]

I guess that would be a safer way out.

[castorpollux]

do the mod, i cut the tips and its a pain it randomizes too much on restarts and usually ends up shooting entirely right or entirely left, it does make it generate wider flow which is nice...

[The Grim Reefer]

I am doing it. Only works well as far as reversing direction on the 1200's.

Maxi mods are dead, Check out the Hydor Korilia which will be available in january. 40 bux for the 1200 GPH unit from tropical fish outlet. Another company is bringing out an inexpensive prop pump pretty soon too.

[tkeracer619]

I would do a maxi mod if I had one laying around.

Wow the Hydor Korilia looks sweet!

[emoutz]

Of course you can get a new tunze nanostream for 50-60 bucks.

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8740213#post8740213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I am doing it. Only works well as far as reversing direction on the 1200's.

Maxi mods are dead, Check out the Hydor Korilia which will be available in january. 40 bux for the 1200 GPH unit from tropical fish outlet. Another company is bringing out an inexpensive prop pump pretty soon too.

Got a link? Can't find anything searching...

[calvin415]

Scratch that, found them with google. Pretty sweet numbers, now I just hope the quality is there...

[herefishyfishy2]

The new bell housing Maxi Mods (MJ1200) push 2200-2400 gph for 40 bucks. Sounds better than 1200 gph for the Hydor Korilia and the same money. Are there larger ones available?

[The Grim Reefer]

I am not sure if Hydor plans anything that big. Of course there is no gurantee the Maxis are going to hold up pushing that much water either.

[calvin415]

Anyone know the size of these? They look a lot smaller than the maxijet mod...

[denverhoss]

I'm not sure you guys are all staying on track with this one. To say that you should just do the Maxijet mod might lead some people think the Nozzle cut mod is similar to the Propeller mod. They are not even in the same class. The Propeller mod will produce a HUGE increase in water movement, possibly way too much for your application, and it requires extensive modification. The Nozzle mod, which I did several months ago, will give some increase in volume (probably), increase the flow spread some, and with a timer or wave maker it will alternate the flow direction between left and right (which I love). And it only requires you to remove a section, not go off on a Google safari looking for Carbon Rods and low friction washers. Those new Hydor things look cool, but I might save up and try the rotating propeler "swirl" mod next time I have some spare time.

[larryl]

I'm not sure you guys are all staying on track with this one. ... The Nozzle mod, which I did several months ago, will give some increase in volume (probably), increase the flow spread some, and with a timer or wave maker it will alternate the flow direction between left and right (which I love). And it only requires you to remove a section, not go off on a Google safari looking for Carbon Rods and low friction washers.

denverhoss is right, cutting off the nozzle is a quick/easy/free way to increase flow a bit, spread it out a bit, and give you some random direction if used with a wavemaker.

Another thing I do to increase flow is to drill 4 or 5 holes in the underside of the housing, right below the impeller - I've heard that MaxiJets are flow-limited by how much water can be sucked through the normal intake, so opening up more holes lets them push more water. I didn't have a way to measure but there was a noticeable difference (i.e. sand kicked up) after I did it to mine.

Larry