DIY "Vortech" Style Pump

[thesmallerthebetter]

So, for the pico methodology build contest thats about to start i decided to set up a 1/4 Gallon SPS reef, but with a shortage of small enough pumps for water movement i decided to go the diy route and build my own...

 

with a little research i decided shrinking the Ecotech marine "Vortech" would be fairly simple, with the correct parts of course.

 

so i started tinkering, collecting parts, and build the thing.

 

Heres a list of parts that have gone into the build:

 

Wet Side:

 

Tiny Propeller

Plastic Shaft

1/2" Neodymium Magnet

DIY housing/prop guard (cut from a 1/2" overflow strainer)

Plastic Back Plate (cut from a furniture foot guard)

 

Dry Side:

 

Magnet

17mm Brushless motor

10A ESC for motor

Servo Tester (acts as the speed controller)

7.5V 2.5A Power supply (motor draws 2.3 Amps at max load)

DIY shroud (1/2" flat backed PVC cap, heavily modified)

 

Other:

Epoxy Paint

Epoxy Mix

#46 Drill bit

Rubber Washers (to increase friction between the pump and the glass)

 

 

it took alot of work and precisely three prototypes to get a working model, and this version has been running for about 14 hours non stop, with no issues.

 

 

 

 

 

just thought i would share any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

(credit goes to member Coyote, his thread (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=123668&st=0) on the subject was a great help, also credit to of course Ecotech marine)

[fishieCJ]

Wow awesome build. If i had a pico i would use this.

[adinsxq]

cuties

[Jacobnano]

Neato.

[plantarms]

wow that's really impressive, do you have any more pictures or build phases on this?

[ajmckay]

Wow... I'm impressed.

 

As long as your testing goes well I would say you've stumbled onto something here.

 

It would be a good idea to maybe try and identify each part of the build and create a "DIY instructable" of sorts that others could follow and/or improve upon.

 

Good luck!

[mxpro32]

that is very cool. good job. I want more information about the build and a video. Now someone needs to make a controller for it that pulses. I have cnc machines. if you can show me how the parts need to be made I could cut some parts for them. Are there affordable sources for the other parts (motor, controller, prop, etc.)?

[Arkayology]

Wow, cool idea

[jm82792]

Arduinos can control servos...

Plus there is PWM for other motors,

I think a controllable min vortech would be easy enough.

[fmfa0801]

So one is gona make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!

[Jacobnano]

So one is gona make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!

 

Yea Ecotech, after the lawsuit lmao. Just don't start mass producing and selling and you will be fine

[Ron99]

More details please. Any pics of the actual construction?

[lovelandbmxrider]

any links to parts?

[thesmallerthebetter]

Wow awesome build. If i had a pico i would use this.

 

Thanks

 

wow that's really impressive, do you have any more pictures or build phases on this?

 

I dont have any pics of the build phase unfortunately. but i assure you, i will be making a new model in the nearish future. that one will be well documented.

 

Wow... I'm impressed.

 

As long as your testing goes well I would say you've stumbled onto something here.

 

It would be a good idea to maybe try and identify each part of the build and create a "DIY instructable" of sorts that others could follow and/or improve upon.

 

Good luck!

stumbled upon isnt quite the right term this was months of sweat blood and tears haha

I am still in the development stage of this, but belive me, more will be shared when i am ready

 

that is very cool. good job. I want more information about the build and a video. Now someone needs to make a controller for it that pulses. I have cnc machines. if you can show me how the parts need to be made I could cut some parts for them. Are there affordable sources for the other parts (motor, controller, prop, etc.)?

 

i am actually in the process of sourcing the components

 

Yea Ecotech, after the lawsuit lmao. Just don't start mass producing and selling and you will be fine

 

I have no intention on stepping on any toes

 

More details please. Any pics of the actual construction?

 

i am still working on this, and when it is good and ready, all will be shared. consider this a teaser if you will.

[pyronus]

I wonder how many of us are all secretly working on the same things. This is pretty amazing though. A motor controller via Arduino is definitely possible, and really wouldn't be that difficult to set up. A proto shield with an LMD18200 which is a really full featured 3A max Hbridge might work. If you could run it at higher voltage with less draw you could use an adafruit motor shield.

[Tigahboy]

Excellent work! A video of it in action would be awesome.

[Jake Adams]

Need more pictures, an excellent idea which is about to get writ up.

[Christopher Marks]

I'm sorry but this DIY covers a US Patented product, it is illegal to make, use or sell.