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View Full Version : Easier/Cheaper then a Maxi-Mod


Turf
07-01-2007, 11:06 PM
OK, I came up with this way back when maxi mods just started to come into existence and pissed a bunch of people off with their elaborate versions using Maxi's that became SO expensive, time consuming and large... but the ones you buy do work I hear and are quick to build but it's best to have an old model of your maxi.
Things still seem to be going well so I thought I'd post it for you guys. (made 3 and gave them away a year ago and two are still working)

1st I had an old Hagen AquaClear 30 aka 301 to mod. 174 GPH now pumps like a mag 2 which is about 250 GPH... I know because I put them right next to each other and it looked/felt the same (very scientific)
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498730_998.jpg
Then I took out the Impeller
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498731_1208.jpg
Then I took my Traxxas Villain EX Right handed prop and shaved it down to fit (1 1/4") a 1-CP10 Conduit Fitting(no threads just smooth inside, not quite 1 3/4" diameter from outside edge)
** Note I used this prop because it was the only non-metal prop I could find that was right handed and not tiny.
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498733_1305.jpg

Then I popped the end off the swivel unit where the water intakes and drilled a bunch of holes to let water in from all sides if that makes since. Yet another time/money saver... you don't have to fab a new endcap to attach to the pump!
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498735_1702.jpg

Then I slid the 1-CP10 Conduit Fitting(again, not quite 1 3/4" diameter from outside edge) into the end where the intake cap use to be... sanded outside edge down just a bit and it fit like a glove.
***Note the inside is close to seamless as the inside diameters on both are
~1 7/16" thus no excess drag. AND THE "1" TYPED ON THE PIC IS A TYPO
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498739_2233.jpg

Next I put Egg Crate in the end to keep the fish/snails out. Fun fact, if you cut the egg crate exactly where the joint is leave a cross section like I did you don't have to measure since it is an EXACT fit! The egg crate also acts like a fin so you don't end up with a tornado current but a straight one. I also used 3 cross sections of egg crate as that is also a perfect fit from the inner stopping edge and the top of the conduit.
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498792_748.jpg

And then the final product.
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/34/46/13940732/n13940732_39498793_1210.jpg

So now what you have is a fun little mod that cost about $8 w/shipping, 15-20min and you don't need to make a fancy stop arm because it ALWAYS TURNS THE SAME WAY!!! (with this size of pump anyway) Nore do you need a second brace for the prop shaft because they are not made to need one as in Maxi's

wes
07-01-2007, 11:47 PM
how do you know if you have a powerhead that only goes one direction?

Turf
07-01-2007, 11:58 PM
put a piece a paper into the prop as it is turning and if flips it the same direction every time you plug it in the your set... most manufactures don't give enough info to know before buying.

storrisch
07-02-2007, 12:16 AM
nice mod but I am holding out to see the new molded impeller for the maximods.

wes
07-02-2007, 01:39 AM
have any extra supplies lyin' around?

Turf
07-02-2007, 07:16 AM
I didn't know they were getting a new prop, I hope it is right handed and under 1 1/4"!

Wes I have one prop left from my original order that I've started to cut down.

Turf
07-02-2007, 07:18 AM
The total length of this is 4" by 2 1/4" by the way, so it is almost the same size as when I started.

csb123
07-04-2007, 10:40 AM
Nice mod, and a creative use of materials!

Turf
07-07-2007, 10:52 PM
I made a quick video of it... very exciting stuff :rolleyes: but it does show you how well it works... also would like to note that it is VERY quiet.
FKUIob4RQb0

wes
07-08-2007, 11:59 PM
so, you wanna give me one as a wedding present? SWEET!! thanks!

Turf
07-09-2007, 12:12 AM
ha ha ha ha; I'll get right on it:violin:

Turf
01-02-2009, 11:28 AM
probably no point in making one of these now considering how cheap these types of PH's have gotten but wanted to give an update that the 4 I made are still running strong w/out a hitch in case you have an extra pump and wanted to make one.