Reef-Rat mated with Tunze Stream - Ratze?

[ReefVan]

I needed a new project to hone my DIY skills, this is basically what I've come up with during a dicussion with Steve, the owner of a "coral specialized" LFS near my house...

He gave me a Tunze Stream - model 6080, to which I will mate a Rat drive unit so that the Stream will sweep back and forth thru a 90° arc in 1 minute intervals like the Rat and the SS.

This'll go in a 220 gallon acrylic tank full of SPS at his store. I'll post the construction, pics and final results as this project evolves in the DIY forum.... the SPS results we'll post in the Reef Discussion....

The idea came from the Tunze Stream that had a loose bracket which allowed the stream to "wander" from side to side... we both agreed it would be neat to see this oscillating back and forth using a drive unit...

Hope fully the benefit of the Stream's wide current path coupled with the Rats oscillating 90° sweep will result in a hybrid that will create an environment that the SPS will thrive in... wish me luck, I can do this, how it'll benefit the corals is yet to be seen...

[pncstod]

Pictures, Picture and more Pictures Please:D

[melev]

Sounds fun!

[yarsrevenge]

Tell me where to send the paypal payment! -hehe
I'm all ears and would love to see my stream ocillate do you guys know where to get these?
>L

[ReefVan]

At what depth from top of unit to surface of water do you typically place your Streams?

I'm seriously thinking of chucking the "tinker-toy" piece of plastic that they call a bracket and designing something more robust and yet esthetically pleasing to look at at the same time.

When I get some data I'll start to design the mounting bracket... it has to handle the side load and resist the twist that the Stream will impart when deflected off-center....

[Dragon Wrasse]

Hello Reef van,

I have a tunze (1600 gallon ) in my 35 gallon above tank refugium...........This pump need to be at least 3 or 4 inch below the water surface....this is because it creates a vortex at the surface resulting in air being drawn into the propeelar chamber.....the final end product is bubles in the main system.


Hope this helps!

[ReefVan]

Well it's been a while but finally I have time! Tonite I received a SEIO 1500 and a Tunze 6080 with the Tunze mounting magnets....

The magnet mount is the way to go and within the next couple of weeks I'll have pics and results to post.... finally!!!!

When the new SEIO 2XXX units come out it'll be a more even competition but for the meantime I'll have a unit capable of rotating your "UNIT" ( Tunze or SEIO ) at an sweep angle of 45° and a depth of approx 4.5", up and running... ;)

The intention is to take a stock Tunze or SEIO unit and with minimal modification, make it oscillate with a modified Rat mechanism.... appropriately "T-Rat" and "S-Rat".....

The Tunze magnets should be able to provide the stable platform to pivot the turbine assembies... anyone interested in this project???.... :p

Please note that this cool mod is not sanctioned by either Tunze or SEIO and will be at your own risk.... ( read ... that's how how the hobby got so far as it is now! ).... :p

[bvoss]

Van,

Glad to hear you have started on the new project. I hope you get it worked out before I get my new tank running this summer. I am really interested in the Seio 2XXX units.

Bill

[ReefVan]

Hey Bill,

Whenever you're ready... ;).. I should have a working proto up and running in the next 1 or 2 weeks.... whether you're a Tunze fan or a SEIO fan I won't take sides... I'll let you decide!

I'll post at what location the proto will be running so you can see it at a local LFS in our area ( pics as well )...

[scottywags]

STaying tuned!

[tbhf]

tagging along

[coyoteseven]

Thinking hard about getting a couple of Seios for the 90g to replace all the MJ900/Hydor Flo combos. I would love to see an oscillating setup with the Seio. :)

[ReefVan]

Have finished the Tunze Stream 6080 mounting bracket / drive shaft assembly and the Tunze 6080.50 Magnet Holder bracket.... hinge assembly to follow tonite or tomorrow.... at this rate should have the unit up and running in a few more days...

Will try to post progress pics tonite... gotta split, one of my son's needs a new bike... break time...loll

Van

[ReefVan]

Some more final pics prior to wet testing...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01780.JPG

Inside view
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01781.JPG

Hinge Closeup
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01782.JPG

Full unit shot with Rat drive
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01784.JPG

Lower hinge detail
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01790.JPG

Enjoy...

:thumbsup:

[parliament28]

very cool

[bvoss]

How deep can you go, and how long can you make the shaft?

[ReefVan]

Sheesh Bill... this is a family site!!!!

[melev]

Niiiiice!

Believe it or not, I just saw a unit that is being made to do the exact same thing. A vendor (Eco-Systems) was at an LFS, and showed me what I imagine is the proto-type.

[ReefVan]

Hey... that's interesting news... build a better mouse-trap and the world will beat a path to your door.... ;)

I'd be curious to see a pic of their design... wonder how they did it... mmmmmm..............

[ReefVan]

T-Rat at work .... wet-testing underway at Worldfish

Finally in the water... what's that thing???
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01804.JPG

Split water view...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01807.JPG

Water surface flow disruption...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01808.JPG

Here comes that wash flood over the front glass again!!!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01809.JPG

T-Rat just hummin' away...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01812.JPG

Smile for the camera....
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/17161DSC01815.JPG

:thumbsup:

[merlock116]

very nice

you could also mod those pre-fabbed units that have been out for a while (the ones u can attach powerheads to) that do a 90 degree sweep... forgot the name. i wonder if they have enough torque.

[melev]

Way to go! It works great, and looks amazing as all your work does.

[dirtyreefer]

Put me in line for one! :)

[i2ik]

Very nice work Van!!! Going to visit that store so i can see it from my eyes! :)

[ReefVan]

Thanks all...

Marc, do you think that other company may hurry now? :p

By the way, since both Tunze magnet models are the same configuration, this Rat will work for both Tunze magnet types... i.e - interchangeable

Also all Tunze Streams, from what I've been told, have the same shell.... again full interchangeability for this Rat with all Tunze Streams...

Next up... SEIO Rats anyone?

p.s - Unless someone from T.A.A.M (SEIO) can come up with a Magnet mount, people may have to use the Tunze Magnet mounts...

... or I'll invent my own "Reefvan Magnetic mounts" by machining pockets in pvc sheet and epoxy-sealing rare-earth magnets inside... ;)

[surfy]

If they have a magnet for 1/2" acrylic, I'm down for a couple:)
I've never looked into the tunze magnets.

[ReefVan]

surfy,

I have a set of 6080.05 Tunze magnets and a set of 6200.50 magnets.... identical except that the 6080.05 have 4 magnets inside and the 6200.50 model has 6 magnets... :p use a metal object... real easy to see ;)

I have my rare-earth magnets on the way, so the coming weeks will tell where the development of DIY magnetic holders will go....

[marine_freak]

I may sound dense but where do you get these rat drives???? Are you taking orders for manufacturing these for reefers??? Or are you just givign out info so we can make them ourselves??

[chImerAnz]

Way nice Van, that seriously rocks!!! I have always wondered why Tunze never did something like this themselves.

On a slightly different subject, I think the vortech looks really cool, still it does not have oscillating functionality in it, but doesnt appear like it needs it!!!

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/images/New_VorTechTrio700.jpg

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=422&osCsid=0285e3698901450636d6d0a1a0718841

These are apparently available now or very shortly? I think Melev got one to play with? Is anyone running one now and if so are they as good as the write ups on them?

[dirtyreefer]

RV put me in line for one of those oscillating units! :)

[ReefVan]

Sure thing guys, I'll be ready to pump them out for fellow reefers... I'm trying out a new version without magnets.... looks promising.... Will release details and pics in a few more weeks...

[marine_freak]

Put me on your list van I will want two of them......

[tfp]

van,
your 1.5" reef rat is still ticking away flawlessly! :)

tim