Stop me if I'm an idiot.

I was thinking the same thing.. Custom plugs that attach to the shelf. You could increase speed considerably, which would shorten the time away from lights and create water flow.
 
Could also do something as basic as a hold down. Kind of like the back of a picture frame. That thing that swivels to hold the back cardboard in place.
 
Joe Lydon said:
I was thinking the same thing.. Custom plugs that attach to the shelf. You could increase speed considerably, which would shorten the time away from lights and create water flow.
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the problem being that the racks will have to be free hanging to rotate without turning over, so faster speed might get them flying off level as they swing around (centripetal force?)
 
Herbie said:
the problem being that the racks will have to be free hanging to rotate without turning over, so faster speed might get them flying off level as they swing around (centripetal force?)
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you could go as far as special gear on each one to make sure its at the proper angel every time.
 
I'd build it like a Farris wheel. Obviously wider. Each rack would be able to swivel with some kind of mechanism to keep em stable. Doing a center shaft with some kind of bearing and a motor setup. My only problem is salt water and components. Definitely possible.
 
just put plastic tabs in them the as the shelves rotate, like a ferris wheel the shelf stays upright. if it move at same pace they wont rock and and forth much so nothing will fall out
 
Man. Go to sleep n wake up to all kinds of ideas.

So ya, I originally though about a Ferris wheel idea but couldn't see it working as you loose the height of the tank. Since you can only go as wide as the tank say on 29 u only use 12"x12". That's what lead me to using chain and track.

The rack itself I figured would be a double bottom. So basically a shallow box with the shelf inside. The bottom would heavy enough to keep frags from tipping it, while the water does not push directly on the frags. I actually really like the Lego idea but I think attaching would be hard to do. Since the rack is 27" long any hard push in the center to connect you run the risk of it bowing and pulling the ends from the track.

The pool vacuum is a neat idea but do they make small ones? I think it would take too much space in the tank.
 
Wildisme said:
Man. Go to sleep n wake up to all kinds of ideas.

So ya, I originally though about a Ferris wheel idea but couldn't see it working as you loose the height of the tank. Since you can only go as wide as the tank say on 29 u only use 12"x12". That's what lead me to using chain and track.

The rack itself I figured would be a double bottom. So basically a shallow box with the shelf inside. The bottom would heavy enough to keep frags from tipping it, while the water does not push directly on the frags. I actually really like the Lego idea but I think attaching would be hard to do. Since the rack is 27" long any hard push in the center to connect you run the risk of it bowing and pulling the ends from the track.

The pool vacuum is a neat idea but do they make small ones? I think it would take too much space in the tank.
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I thouht you would just gut the vacuum and use the parts. You definitely need more torque than speed and I don't see a lot of room for gearing up or down.
 
Jay do you think the KNex motor would have enough torque to it?

I am pretty much set on a DC Motor tho, allows me to run on a small wall converter or batteries at a swap.
 
I've done a lot with RC Cars on the past. I'm kinda thinking a brushless motor as I can adjust speed based on voltage and what works best for coral.

Traxxas makes a waterproof one. I'm pretty much on the idea of canopy mounted but it would still be nice to not worry about splashing water.
 
Wondormotor rotisserie motor could be used to turn a gear system that will run your chain. 10 rpm and will turn a 110lb pig.
 
if it help the motor your discribing is a shaded pole motor. thats a motor with a belt system. I dont know if there submersable or not
 
Wildisme said:
I've done a lot with RC Cars on the past. I'm kinda thinking a brushless motor as I can adjust speed based on voltage and what works best for coral.

Traxxas makes a waterproof one. I'm pretty much on the idea of canopy mounted but it would still be nice to not worry about splashing water.
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OT, but I really love my T-Maxx. . .
 
Thanks catalano.

Joe the motor is literally perfect. Just need it cheaper lol.

110vac or 0-12vdc with 10rpm and a .5"(12mm) shaft

If I can't find it cheaper I may grab that but I'd like to get the cost much lower then $170 for a motor.
 
That torque may even be overkill. There has to be something less powerful, and cheaper.

What about gutting a used rotisserie cooker with the motor you need? I see tons on CL in the $50 range. Would just have to reference model numbers and see what the internals are.
 
Anyone know how many oz-in I should be looking for?

New to motors and not too sure what I should be looking for.

Is 28 oz- in Max efficiency with 137 oz-in stall ok?

Mind u this would be geared down to 27rpm per 2 rotations in the tank.
 
Converted to ft-lbs, 28oz-in is less than 1/5 of 1ft-lb of torque. The wondermotor is 17.7ft-lbs of torque. I would say 28in-oz is quite a bit shy, considering the mass of the shelving, chains, water resistance, etc.

I'm sure there is something in the 5ft-lb range. You don't want to run the motor at max. Will you leave it tun at lights out? It would keep the water movement rolling. Could even set something up to alternate forward and reverse intermittently throughout the day.
 
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