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View Full Version : Reef-Rat 1.0 DIY Oscillating Return


ReefVan
01-04-2003, 07:54 PM
Hello everyone,

This is my first post on this board at the invitation of StirCrazy.

I usually post on another BBS but figured it's time to give back to my fellow Canadian reefers.

Find below a link to my latest un-patented invention for the enjoyment and use of all reefers, Internet or not. This is my own intellectual property and as such I do give it freely for personal use only.

Please use this idea for your personal use as an individual and not for commercial gain, as that would defeat the whole purpose of DIY and Pi** me off as well.

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/pages/index.htm

Point and Click on the Reef-Rat 1.0, there are other goodies there as well.

Enjoy :D

Canadian Man
01-04-2003, 09:07 PM
Nice to see you made it over here ReefVan!
I am sure you wont get the bad welcome you got by some at RC.

Is there a parts list on the way and a pic of the inside parts available?

Thanks

ReefVan
01-04-2003, 11:01 PM
:D Thanks for the welcome,

So far I'm re-designing a few details after a good discussion on Reef Central with regards to "a wishlist" from users on what a good "Rotating Return Unit" should have. Next time I'll try and start the poll here.

I'll be testing in a couple of weeks in the Sea-Squirrel test bin for a month or so.

I won't release details until all the bugs are out. Pics and Parts list to follow. In the meantime you can follow the progress on my website.

p.s - That Sea-Squirrel runs real sweet in my reef, modding it this weekend with an acrylic mount so I can mount it in the tank end corner.

Some quick Reef-Rat 1.0 details:
- Reef-Rat 1.0 sweeps 90 degrees
- has a 1.0" piping configuration with no restrictions
- allows a 1100 gph plus flow rate
- only external moving part is jet-nozzle and drive shaft
- no O-rings or seals to leak or wear
- will have a universal low profile female threaded adapter on top
- on/off power switch to stop jet-nozzle in any position or for feeding
- can have any length jet-nozzle feed pipe (vertical pipe) approx 3"-10"
- can easily adapt to acrylic tanks as well as glass
- will use a 1, 2, or 4 rpm gear-motor

I'm sure there's more, I'll post it on my web page...

Thanks again

Canadian Man
01-04-2003, 11:52 PM
You said 110gph?
I am sure you ment 1100gph? :wink:

ReefVan
01-05-2003, 12:18 AM
Yup,

Too many keys, not enough fingers. 1100 gph plus is right. :oops:

StirCrazy
01-05-2003, 12:25 AM
Hey ReefVan, welcome to the board.. have you started the trials on the Reef Rat yet?


Steve

ReefVan
01-05-2003, 12:38 AM
Hey Steve,

Nope, got some shopping to do monday to swap out some parts. Want to make some last minute changes, should be ready in a week or so. :D

reefburnaby
01-05-2003, 08:37 AM
ReefVan,

Looks very nice. Just one question : have you consider if coralline growth on the Reef Rat's ball/socket joint will cause problems ?

- Victor.

ReefVan
01-05-2003, 02:16 PM
:D Hi Victor,

Coralline growth could eventually become a factor if left unchecked over an extremely long period of time.

Good maintenance practice on any reef system dictates cleaning of all devices on a regular basis. In this case it may be once or twice a year.

At present the clearances are sufficient to cater for some growth.

I will attempt to build all submerged components in black pvc as this seems to become less encrusted than other types over time.

IMHO, with the constant motion that this device exhibits, any build-up will be very gradual.

Thankyou for the observation, it is a valid point. :wink:

ldzielak
01-06-2003, 07:36 PM
Good to see another DIY member!!! Can't wait to see the inside pics. And I figured my acrylic days were over for a long time :wink:

Lee

ReefVan
01-06-2003, 11:53 PM
:D Thanks to all for the warm welcome,

Picked up a 2 rpm gear-motor today for trials. Hope to get a 4 rpm gear-motor in 2 weeks for the qual-test unit. Already have a 8 rpm unit, but I'm not willing yet to hack a huge hole in my case just for this oversize motor.

Want to accelerate the wear of 1 year of service down to a matter of a few months so as to keep ahead of you guys with mods if anything pops up in the short term.

reefburnaby
01-19-2003, 06:11 PM
Reefvan,

After looking at my notes from last year, I think there is another way around the Sea Swirl patent. Yah...I am trying to build a motorized revolving water spout for aquarium applications :)

The patent is really split in to two parts : one part is for the linkage and motor and the other is for the rotating column with perpendicular inputs/outputs. I am try to kill the second part...the first part is kind of lame.

The proposal is to replace the o-ring/teflon/revolving column with multiple silicon tubing. This alone will break the patent...but its not quite strong enough to hold up in court.

Next step....unbend the 90 degree elbows. So, the output nozel still rotates like the original, but the water source does not go through two elbows (which I hated). The silicon tubing handles the difference in the height and the coupling between the inlet tubing and revolving nozel. Of course, the limitation is the range the nozel can rotate at and the bi-annual replacement of silicon tubing. The pluses are the reduced mechanical friction(good for motor) and replacement of two hard 90 degree elbows with one gradual flexible elbow (low head loss).

I am going to build one of these in the future, but I figured I should share. So, what do you think ?

- Victor.

ReefVan
01-19-2003, 11:14 PM
:D Hi reefburnaby,

As far as the linkage and motor goes, all the major car manufacturers already had that one figured out long ago. Its a typical wiper motor mechanism array with gear-motor and linkages. :P

So lets strike that patent infringement off the list.

For the rotating outer tube, it may be more challenging. As for the 90 degree inlet and outlet, give me a break! You can't patent that.

You can't patent a function, only an implementation. As long as no one challenges it in court the patent stands, in the U.S that is.

The challenge is the outer tube oscillating around the fixed inner tube, neat idea but not entirely the biggest innovation ever. Hose reel, lawn sprinkler, irrigation spouts, etc, etc, etc.

I think your approach has great potential, albeit lots of wear problems and maintenance. If you wish, please sketch out your design and e-mail it to me, we'll take it from there. :wink:

Van

stephane
01-20-2003, 06:38 AM
Hey Van nice to see you here budy!

ReefVan
04-28-2003, 12:04 AM
:D Update time,

Had some spare time on my hands this weekend so I finished up this project to 99.9%. The only thing left is to get a better linkage at an RC hobby shop, no that doesn't mean Reef Central, and run it in the test bin for a few weeks.

Pics for your enjoyment...

Finished Unit - Side
http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/dsc00508.jpg

Finished Unit - Frontal
http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/dsc00509.jpg

Drive Mechanism - 1
http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/dsc00514.jpg

Drive Mechanism - 2
http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/dsc00512.jpg

Drive Mechanism -3
http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/dsc00518.jpg

Nice cheap Rotating Returns...

Van 8)

ReefVan
04-28-2003, 12:10 AM
:D Hi again,

Thought I'd let you see some of the close-up pics to further peak your curiousity... :razz:

This one has all fixed plumbing and use a swivel-action jet nozzle to divert the flow. Got the idea from some jet-boats I'd seen, figured why shouldn't it work in an aquarium with a good high flow pump. :idea:

This project gathered dust until my reef-buddies wouldn't stop bugging me for one of their own. :roll:

Should cost about $40 to build if you use a surplus motor and got some spare parts laying about, and $75-100 if you go out and buy a retail gear-motor and a few things. Beats paying $200 for a you know what...

Design Details
- Reef-Rat 1.0 sweeps through a full 90° arc
- It has a 1.0" pvc piping configuration with no reducers
- Contained in a versatile Serpac S-Series Model #273 electronic enclosure
- The only external moving parts are Jet-nozzle and associated Drive shaft assembly
- There are no O-rings or seals to leak or wear inside the enclosure
- A universal, low profile male threaded adapter is installed on top to accept your desired fitting configuration
- Included is an on/off power switch to stop jet-nozzle in any position for feeding or service
- Any length of Jet-nozzle feed pipe, (vertical pipe) approx 3"-10", can be custom fit to suit your application
- Unit can easily be adapted to acrylic tanks as well as all glass tanks
- Optional use of a 1, 2, or 4 rpm syncronous gear-motor in the drive design allows user defined flexibility

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00369.JPG

Frontal view of unit with Jet-Nozzle at 0 degree position

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00371.JPG

Side view of unit with Jet-Nozzle at 0 degree position

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00372.JPG

Angle view of unit with Jet-Nozzle at 0 degree position

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00375.JPG

Side view of unit with Jet-Nozzle at 45 degree position

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00368.JPG

Bottom view of unit with Jet-Nozzle at 45 degree position

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00376.JPG

Reef-Rat with cousin Sea-Squirrel of RC fame, also my avatar!

stephane
04-28-2003, 02:24 AM
Hey Van!

Can I be you first customer! call me I need some for my new farm :biggrin:

dbdavid
05-13-2003, 02:37 PM
Hi Reefvan, great looking DIY.

I have a question, if the oscillating nozzle was a little larger in diameter while keeping the internal pipe the same size do you think you would get more flow (i.e. an eductor effect)?

Keep up the great work!

ReefVan
05-14-2003, 01:28 AM
:biggrin: dbdavid,

Good deduction about the eduction, hehe!! :idea:

Seriously, it did cross my mind the other day but I thought that the exiting flow pressure was probably too low to have any effect.

Would make for a great discussion though. :razz:

Van :cool:

StirCrazy
05-14-2003, 02:36 AM
Hey Van I was going to e-mail you and ask how the testing was going, or if it is done yet, but I figured I might as well just ask here :smile:

Steve

ReefVan
05-14-2003, 10:06 AM
:biggrin: Hi Steve,

Tests went real well, this thing shoots like a fire hose. Have already started to put another couple of Rats together.

Nice thing is not to have to worry about any O-Rings or internal leaks. :rolleyes:

Van :cool:

canadawest
05-14-2003, 06:27 PM
And when are they going to be available to us thrify reef-keepers? :cool:

ReefVan
05-14-2003, 07:25 PM
:biggrin: Send me a PM or e-mail for further info on availability. This thread will kept be for technical info. :biggrin:

Van :cool:

ReefVan
05-17-2003, 12:49 AM
:biggrin: After fiddling in the garage again last weekend I built a Rat with the outlet assembly on the left-hand side of the unit. Actually looks pretty neat!

This I figured would allow me to put the unit in the front left-hand corner of my tank and it would still be effective since the jet-nozzle would be far enough away from the glass to avoid it hitting.

Enter the friend....

"Hey, why don't you build one with two nozzles that rotate opposite to each other so they cover an area of 180 degrees...?"

Is this something that appeals to you folks? 180 degree sweep Rats?

Van :cool:

christyf5
05-17-2003, 12:52 AM
Heeeyy,

Now yer thinkin'! :wink:

Christy :)

SuperFudge
05-18-2003, 04:38 PM
Sounds appealing to me..........

If you get around to making 1" ones....Put me down for two.
:mrgreen:

ReefVan
05-19-2003, 02:55 AM
:biggrin: Fudge,

Sounds neat eh? It'll be 1" for sure, the only thing I'm wondering about is whether I should use a single feed pipe with an external Tee feeding the 2 outlet nozzles. :confused:

Or perhaps 2 separate feed pipes for 2 pumps! :eek: This may be the only way to jam all that stuff in the same casing I use on all my Rats.

This just gave me another idea :idea:, get back to you on this soon!

Van :cool:

SuperFudge
05-19-2003, 07:39 AM
:biggrin: Fudge,

Or perhaps 2 separate feed pipes for 2 pumps!
Van :cool:

Yes, sounds awesome.
This would be preferable for me anyways,keep me updated.

Thx,

ReefVan
07-05-2003, 10:03 PM
:biggrin: Hello Everyone,

I have accumulated in quantity all the materials required to provide the DIY challenged and those who can't be bothered to build, ReefRat 1.0"'s. :wink:

please leave a PM and we'll see if we can put a couple of these little rodents on your system. :smile:

Van :cool:

ReefVan
07-24-2003, 03:47 PM
:biggrin: Just a little update so you can see the improved ReefRat

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00800.jpg

Rats ready for a new home

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00798.jpg

Mounting hardware in place

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00796.jpg

Interchangeable Jet-Nozzle in place

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00795.jpg

Bottom View fully assembled

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00793.jpg

Mounted Rat - Side View

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00792.jpg

Mounted Rat - Offset View

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00789.jpg

Rat at play

http://pages.infinit.net/lambertv/images/DSC00791.jpg

Rat at play

Van

Canadian Man
07-24-2003, 08:58 PM
COOL VAN!

Got the Eurobracing thing figured out yet?

ReefVan
07-24-2003, 09:08 PM
:biggrin: Still waiting for some pictures and dimensions of some typical Eurobracing from anyone who may be interested in one....... :razz: Jonathan?

Come September it'll be time to get back into high gear. :eek:

Van :cool:

Just2Bad
07-25-2003, 01:05 PM
Just an observation on the pictures you posted.. your intake seems a bit small like 3/4" ???? shouldn't it be 1" to have more flow throught it ???

Just a taught....

ReefVan
07-25-2003, 02:19 PM
:biggrin: Hi Just2Bad,

Yep that barbed fitting goes to a smaller hose because the Sen900 feeding it from the tub has a 3/4" outlet. If I had hard plumbed it I would have done as you suggested.

If you'd like to send me an Ampmaster or other 1" outlet pump, I'll be more than happy to correct those photos for you. :razz:

The assumption for the flow would be more realistically based on the flow the pump could deliver rather than plumbing size.