Reef-Rat 1.0 DIY Oscillating Return

[ReefVan]

Hi again,

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

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.

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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