DIY Powerhead / Locline Modification

[JeffDubya]

So, when I set up my 29 gallon reef, I had issues with current. I had a lot of it, and it was really blasting my livestock. It is my own personal opinon that although 10x is a minimum rule of thumb, the smaller the tank - the harder it is to pull this off. In my case, I have 2 Aqua Clear 50 powerheads (250 gph ea) They were located in each corner, and aimed at their opposing front corner. I did this because I felt the opposing front corner would provide the most unobstructed space for natural dissipation of the current, and the two streams might meet each other midway and cancel each other out.

For whatever reason, that strategy - and others - didn't work the way I had hoped. By this time, I was reading a lot about closed loop systems and loved the locline concept. So, I bought some locline at Aquatic Dreams and decided to try something a bit new.

Anyhow, this is a look at one of my Aqua Clear 50 powerheads:

 

[JeffDubya]

So the first step in the modification was to remove the base...

 

[JeffDubya]

The second step was to remove the exhaust port. Be careful to measure this and not cut off too much. The locline adapter will be modified and glued on to this stub. Just remember, it's always easier to go back and cut off more.

 

[JeffDubya]

So here it is, with the exhaust port shortened...

 

[JeffDubya]

So this is the locline adapter that I chose to use. It is a 1/2 with male threads.

 

[JeffDubya]

I wanted the locline adapter to fit flush against the base when my project was complete. Therefore, the next thing to do was to remove the threads from the adapter. Watch your fingers!

 

[JeffDubya]

I don't have a belt or disc sander, so my grinder had to work in a pinch.

 

[JeffDubya]

In order to make the adapter fit, one of the sides had to be sanded down significantly with said grinder.

 

[JeffDubya]

So the next step was to drill out the interior of the adapter so it would fit on the exhaust port. This was difficult to do - fortunately I had an expanding bit which made it easier. I probably should have used some kind of clamp rather than just hold it with my fingers, so don't follow these directions too specifically. And if you do - and you lacerate your fingers - please don't blame me. Always be safe when using power tools.

So anyhow, I drilled it out.

 

[JeffDubya]

The next step was to cement these two parts together. I had hoped the plastics would both be pvc or abs and I could use the glue to basically weld the two pieces together. The other stupid thing I did was to pull both powerheads out of the aquarium at once, plus I am really impatient - which helps nothing.

In retrospect, there HAS to be a better aquarium-safe glue or cement for this project. Maybe even the acrylic glue I purchased for building my sump. I am not overly satisfied with the glue this connection makes.

So what did I use? I used MP-6 medium bodied multi-purpose cement. I chose this cement because it was supposed to work well with the full spectrum of available plastic piping, including ABS and PVC.

 

[JeffDubya]

Hey, nice fit!

 

[JeffDubya]

Time to clamp these parts together. Tight, but not too tight, otherwise the pieces will warp and will probably pop apart when you remove the clamp.

 

[JeffDubya]

several hours later, I snapped on the remaning locline.

 

[JeffDubya]

So there are only two things I didn't like about how these ended up. First, the pivot point seems weak. Now I don't know this for a fact, because nothing has ever failed, but I am concerned it could. Mainly I have to stabilize the pivot point and the powerhead with one hand and adjust the locline with the other. Don't want anything popping off, after all!

 

[JeffDubya]

So here they both are, finished.

The other thing that I would love to change is that I would love to have some flow control between the two sides. I ended up with more flow at the bottom than at the top because the lenth of locline is much shorter. So if there is some kind of ball valve or restrictor it would be good right there. But I don't know if such an item even exists.

But the bottom line is - they work. My tank is healthier because of them. If you are interested in a closed loop system but can't do it because of logistics or finances, this is definitely a viable option for you.

 

[drty811]

thats a great mod, definitly should be a sticky. keep up the good work jeff and keep us updated on it. really interested in how well it works and holds up.

 

[JeffDubya]

It's been running for about 4 months, no problems at all aside from those mentioned.

 

[reefman23]

Great work! Hows it working for you?

Jesse

 

[JeffDubya]

aside from the minor mentioned issues, works great!