Modified Maxijets

Well I tried a couple of the modified maxijets that Dana discussed in the meeting.  All I can say is WOW!!  That is mucho flow for not a lot of $$..  Anybody else using them?

Like Dana said the site that makes the mods he prefers is out of comission due to family illness.  I went with the www.mjmods.com.  Dana had trouble with the stops in this design not correcting the propeller direction effectively.  It is critical to get the stop inserted at the proper depth.  The idea he had with using a nylon bolt for adjustment is a pretty good idea.  I just did some adjusting(w/o nylon bolt method) on mine to where it corrects the propeller direction every time so far.

MJ 1200 $18-20.  MJ mod is around $25 or you could round up the parts yourself for less.  It was kind of fun to play around with.  Although I have no way to measure it the rated 2400 gph wouldn't surprise me.  The stock 20 W consumption is hard to beat.  How much do you think the mod would increase power usage?

I have made one. If you have any extra props I need another. I bought extra when I bought last but I cant seem to find them.

As for cost -- it depends on how much of the stuff you buy from mjmods and how much you diy.

The only thing you NEED from them is the prop. So for cost -- $20-25 for the maxi-jet -- $3 for the pvc pipe from home depot (to make the shrowd) -- $1 for the plastic tube/shaft, $0.50 for the pvc test cap. Then it will cost you about $2 + shipping ($5.00) for the prop. Almost forgot -- you also need a center shaft. Either get a stainless steel rod from a welding supply shop (Always free so far for me) or buy a carbon fiber rod for $5. (I like both - and you get enough for about 8 maxi-jet mods with either one).

Grand total -- about $36-41.
Cost if you already have a Maxi-jet -- $11-16   -- Doesn't seem to expensive to me doing it that way.

I really is amazing how much flow they put out, but I have never seen a seio to compare. If you ever want to see one working your more then welcome to come on down to pleasant grove and see it working.

The biggest problem I have had with them is they vibrate and make a lot of noise. At least, I cant seem to get mine to be quiet.

Edited by Kevin - March 07 2007 at 10:12am

I have done four of these mods so far.  The one thing I have found for sure is to not use an MJ 900 for the mod.   Even with the smaller prop, it is very very difficult to get the thing to properly start in the right direction everytime.  The MJ900 is just not powerful enough to do this mod and work flawlessly.   The MJ1200 mods I have done all work perfectly after getting the stop in the right position..  The magnet holders they sell at MJ Mods are also very nice.  The ones with the swivel are a bit pricey, but the round plain mag holders work wonderfully.   Nothing I have tried puts out the amount and randomness of flow these MJ Mods do.

Adam,  I have two on my 100 gallon reef.  They sit exactly opposite each other on the sides of the tank.  I run them on timers, one on a half hour, then the other one on a half hour, then both on for half hour, then both off for a half hour.   Within two days of setting it up this way, my ORP reading increased by 50 just based on the increased RANDOM flow created by this, especially when both are running at the same time, and the opposing force of the flow meets in the middle of the tank and collides... 

Ahhhh, well with alternating timers, yes okay random flow.  (maybe you mentioned that part before, but I didn't see it)  But hey my closed loops would have random flow as well if they were on timers, and so would my powerheads.

I wonder if "random" flow isn't overrated.  Overall flow is definitely beneficial, but I'm not so sure I buy the need for sqwds, seaswirls, OM, wavetimers, etc.  But then again, I could be wrong. 

Did you run both modified maxijets without a wavemaker (both on all the time pointed at each other) before or did you put them on a wavemaker from the start?

Yes Jon, I did run them both all the time at first.  On my 110, which is only a four foot tank it was too much to have them both on all the time.  When the flow met at the center of the tank, on all the time, it actually created a hollow spot in the sandbed at the center bottom of the tank, and my LPS would not open up fully.  It was TOO much flow for this size tank to have them both on all the time.