Best amount of time for on/off cycle for powerhead wavemaker.

powers2001 · 10/08/2009, 08:40 PM

I inherited a Reef Keeper 1 and I have a maxi-jet on an on/off time cycle. What is the best amount of seconds for on time, then off time?

Henry Bowman · 10/08/2009, 08:56 PM

You may have issues with starting and stopping a Maxi jet. I have not tried it but have read posts that indicate the very short cycles are not good for them.

Having said all that, I'd go for 10-15 minutes on and 10 minutes off and see what happens?

Hopefully someone with firsthand experience with a set up like this will chime in and let you know for sure.

rjwilcox · 10/08/2009, 08:57 PM

I do 90 second intervils with my two korelas. Seems to mix the flow up nice. Dont think it matters but i think with more time on each power head the more it has the chance to change the circulation patern in the tank.

Aqua Keepers · 10/08/2009, 11:07 PM

Maxi-Jets are great pumps for on/off cycles unless you mod them to be propeller pumps.

Korailas are not mad for on/off cycles.

Both the Korailas & Mod'd Maxi-Jets when used with on/off cycles can get louder after time, have probs starting in the right direction, and just flat out break.

powers2001 · 10/09/2009, 04:58 PM

How about modding the stock maxi-jet impeller by trimming or cutting off of the impeller blades?

Does that cause trouble with on/off cycles?

Aqua Keepers · 10/09/2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powers2001

How about modding the stock maxi-jet impeller by trimming or cutting off of the impeller blades?

Does that cause trouble with on/off cycles?

There's no prob running a stock MJ on an on/off cycle. So, no need to do this. Besides, I think trimming/cutting the stock impeller would decrease it's output/GPH.

The prob begins when you take out the stock impeller and mod it with a propeller type.

powers2001 · 10/09/2009, 08:11 PM

This is in a JBJ nano cube 6 gallon and all I have is 4 maxi-jet 1200s. So instead of buying a smaller maxi, I kept cutting off blades until I came up with the desired flow. You would be shocked at how much power the thing has with only one blade.

10/08/2009, 08:40 PM	#1
powers2001 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 224	Best amount of time for on/off cycle for powerhead wavemaker. I inherited a Reef Keeper 1 and I have a maxi-jet on an on/off time cycle. What is the best amount of seconds for on time, then off time?

10/08/2009, 08:56 PM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	You may have issues with starting and stopping a Maxi jet. I have not tried it but have read posts that indicate the very short cycles are not good for them. Having said all that, I'd go for 10-15 minutes on and 10 minutes off and see what happens? Hopefully someone with firsthand experience with a set up like this will chime in and let you know for sure. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

10/08/2009, 08:57 PM	#3
rjwilcox Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 60	I do 90 second intervils with my two korelas. Seems to mix the flow up nice. Dont think it matters but i think with more time on each power head the more it has the chance to change the circulation patern in the tank.

10/08/2009, 11:07 PM	#4
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Maxi-Jets are great pumps for on/off cycles unless you mod them to be propeller pumps. Korailas are not mad for on/off cycles. Both the Korailas & Mod'd Maxi-Jets when used with on/off cycles can get louder after time, have probs starting in the right direction, and just flat out break.

10/09/2009, 04:58 PM	#5
powers2001 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 224	How about modding the stock maxi-jet impeller by trimming or cutting off of the impeller blades? Does that cause trouble with on/off cycles?

10/09/2009, 08:11 PM	#7
powers2001 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 224	This is in a JBJ nano cube 6 gallon and all I have is 4 maxi-jet 1200s. So instead of buying a smaller maxi, I kept cutting off blades until I came up with the desired flow. You would be shocked at how much power the thing has with only one blade.