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Build an Eductor to increase flow PDF Print E-mail
Like many people I was not satisfied with the 10x turnover that people often recommend for reef newbies.  I could feel that my SPS were starving for extra flow.  I was constantly shopping around for a return pump.  I was going to have to add an external overflow box as my nano wasn't drilled, a return pump, a SCWD wave device and all the plumbing for it.  It was not only going to be a daunting task, but an expensive one.  Being short on money, I was hoping for a way out.

Along came a few threads and websites about a device called an Eductor.  The basic concept is to use a pumps flow to draw more fluid in and thus increasing total flow about 4x.  Heres a photo of one on Reef boy's website.  You can also do a search on reefcentral.  I knew I wasn't going to get the precision engineering required, and I was a skeptical of increasing the flow 4x.  But talking to an Eng Sci friend he said he recalled something similar in his studies.  I figured I could build a simple one from some leftover parts from other projects.

Materials:  1x 3/4" Black PVC, length about 1.5".
The adapter from a Maxijet that the up/down flow direction control attaches to.
Scrap pieces of acrylic

Assembly:  Basicly all I did was find a piece of pvc that fit over the output of the Maxijet and had some extra space in between.  Cut out 3 small pieces of acrylic.  Bonded acrylic to the maxi-jet output attachement in the customary triangular layout.  I than used weldon to attach these 3 pieces to the black acrylic.

And voila, the finished result.

A simple Eductor increases flow and creates a wider flow pattern for a more gentle but random water flow around your corals

How well did it work? 

In terms of increasing flow, it's hard to tell.  It definately has changed the flow pattern of the powerhead.  It now has a much wider flow pattern which is great for powerful pumps because you don't want a direct jet on your corals, but this mod provides a much better spread out flow.  Therefore it is hard to tell if it has increased flow.  I have since taken the Eductor off, because I don't like the extra couple inches it takes up in my nano, and have since purchased a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro wavemaker and a new Maxi-Jet 600.

Notes:  On the reef eductor pages I found, a large pump was recommended for these babies.  Basicaly something on a large return pump can provide.  When I move to a larger tank and pumps I will definately try this device out again for 2 reasons.  It may possibly increase flow for very little money.  And it provides a flow pattern I'm confident is more beneficial for a tanks inhabitants, especialy from a strong return.

Video:  The following video show the different flow patterns before and after.  Powerhead used is a Maxi-jet 400, substance added is C-balance part B to help illustrate the flow patterns.  As you can see the eductor produces a much wider/broader flow pattern, and you can see the Part B additive being sucked into the gap between the normal output and the eductor.  Video is at half speed so it's easier to see the flow patterns. Update: Sorry folks, the video's have been lost with the old server.  I will work on getting up some new ones.

Update 2: I think it helps increase the volume of flow, but just as on my nano I prefered the wider flow pattern.  This way there is not a direct jet coming out of the nozzel that can accidently hit a coral and damage polyps.  This provides a much wider flow pattern that is going to spread and create better random flow IMO.

As usual, feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or comments.  I appreciate your feedback.

 
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