tips for mesh modding an Aquabee

[rishma]

With more aquabee pumps available now, I figured this was worth sharing again. I modded an AB 2000 several months ago with pf4 mesh and posted results in the "....friggin rocks...." thread. This is not the 32 watt AB 2000/1 but the lower 18 watt AB2000.

The results were awesome. The pump pulled a consistent 10-11 lpm and use 10 watts with the H&S stock venturi. I submerged to pump in 22" of water and got the same readings. that was the deepest I ever put it.

The point is that everyone seems to max out at 10 lpm with the higher wattage AB2000/1, but this is achievable with the AB2000. I never could get higher readings. I think the volute is probably maxed out.

Hopefully this is helpful. The AB2000/1 might only be needed for very tall skimmers. here are some pics


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8713DSC02419.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87134_layers_pf4.jpg

[mnestroy]

Isn't the problem with this type of mod is if you screw it up its gona cost you a ton of money?

I have a H&S A150 and its my understanding they charge an insane price to replace the impeller.

[JCTewks]

You could always just buy a standard Ehiem 1260 impeller(I believe that's what is on those) and do the mod to that while keeping your H&S impeller as is.

[saltyseaman]

Do you have a picture of what the impellar looked like before the mod? I have an AB 2000/1 that I was considering modding and the impellar looks different than yours. Mine lacks the disk under the mesh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/saltyseaman/Skimmer/AB-Impellar.jpg

[rishma]

The impeller was an H&S needlewheel. Yes, they cost $80, but not guts no glory...right?? Just dont mess up! ;)

It doubled the performance.

here is a pic of the impeller befor mod

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8713impeller.jpg

[JRaquatics]

The valute is deep enough to just stack the mesh 3x on top of the pins. I did it this way and have great results. Modded works much better than stock.

[rishma]

I actually tried 3, 4, and 6 layers. six layers fit without rubbing if pulled tightly. THis provided the highest air flow at the deepest water.

[saltyseaman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10350623#post10350623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rishma
The impeller was an H&S needlewheel. Yes, they cost $80, but not guts no glory...right?? Just dont mess up! ;)

It doubled the performance.

That's weird. Aside from the disk and the pegs (which it appears you chopped off), they look like the same impellar. Did you dry to add the mesh to the original impellar?

[rishma]

saltyseaman

This is an H&S pump so it came with the H&S needlewheel impeller not the stock aquabee impeller. I do not have a stock aquabee impeller. I modified the H&S impeller because the disc is very convienient after you chop off the pins.

I hope that makes sense. It sounds like you have a stock impeller, which I have not tried to mod.

[saltyseaman]

Ohhh, I thought you were saying that you bought the H&S impellar to replace your AB impellar, and replacing the AB impellar with the H&S impellar doubled the performance. Then mesh moding on top of that increased the performance even more. Gotcha, I follow you now.

Well, I want to do this to my AB impellar and see what happens. I'm waiting for my Dwyer to show up before I do it, though.

[rishma]

thats right. stock H&S pinwheel pulls 4-5 lpm. 6 layers of mesh pulls 10-11 lpm. no change in wattage.

good luck.

[JCTewks]

rishma, what is the watts draw?

[rishma]

10 watts per the kill-a-watt picture above. Sorry it is blurry.

[JCTewks]

1 LPM per watt...that's pretty good for that tiny little impeller. :)

[rishma]

hahaha....10 of these would outperform a Dart and only cost $1500!

[JCTewks]

LMAO :)