Pump Modification

[Beatmask]

I also posted this to the "New to the Hobby" section because I wasn't sure where this should go.

So I was looking through the water pumps and got one of the EcoTech pumps, but it only shoots straight out. I was looking at those Tunze units, but I don’t want all that junk and engines and stuff in my tank.

I noticed that the little guard covering pops off on the EcoTech unit. Do you think it would be feasible to do a little garage engineering and replace the plastic drive shaft with like a section of flexible tubing and attach the propeller on the end? Maybe put the thing on a little guide track to slide it around on to get the best angle to shoot around the coral. What would you even use for the new drive shaft??

Just an idea to think about and see if anyone has any ideas, thanks! :spin1:

[gabew]

Thats a cool idea I never thought of that.
From what I have heard these guys put out enough flow to create currents throughout the tank so you don't necessarily need the pump blasting directly on something. Not sure what you would use as a drive shaft though if you were to modify it. I get your idea though. Whatever you were to use it would need to be flexible, be able to withstand constant twisting, and be able to withstand all that torque.
I'll follow along to see what people come up with.

[gabew]

bump

[Zebodog]

Interesting idea.

I'm no engineer however you'd need to consider potential balance issues and premature bearing failure when discussing modifications to the prop/driveshaft.

[tkeracer619]

I discussed this with the owners of ecotech a few years back.

You cannot change the shaft for a flexible one and there really is no point.

Yes the flow goes strait out but properly placing the pump creates much more flow then just strait out.

Play with the positioning until you get the flow you need.

Vortechs don't need to be aimed to provide incredible flow because it is such a wide flow pattern compared to a tunze that is more of a jet.