the best nano pump review

[barometer]

Fraggle Reef's: The Best Nano Pumps, 250gph 3-6w power head
here's the webpage with more specs.
http://www.fragglereef.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2874&zenid=047826d8b4cf6a57d9a58b6e75948f45

For it's small size, price and power consumption this little pump is a giant. I added it to my 42 hex for additional flow and it made a huge difference. I cannot believe how much water a palm sized power head can push. Check out the video on the webpage. I truly believe the 250gph claim.

It's made with 4 suction cups built in which are quite sufficient for holding it to the tank. The output swivels for some direction control and there's an attachment for a smaller stream or accessory. The pump is so small it can be placed inconspicuously in virtually any tank.

I have another and may try to use it with a wave contoller in the future. Maybe someone has already tried it and can post the results. I highly recommend this pump, even just to have around for mixing salt (it can fit in containers that other pumps can't). There was a group buy recently and many of these pumps got ordered so anyone else who has them feel free to chime in on the review. :)

[SolRo]

sounds good, I hope it's reliable

[iVgOnMaD]

I bought 4 from the GB but havent had a chance to P/U :(

[pako73]

I bought a few of these pumps and they are incredible!!! Definitely something worth having on hand for many uses.

Best of all is how inexpensive they cost.

[GoTakuF1]

Best of all is how inexpensive they cost.

Cheaper than a $6 burger! Nice review, Ed. I should've gotten a couple just to mess around with.

[barometer]

I'd like the experience of anyone else who got these pumps. The only issue so far is the plug seems to get pretty hot. Hasn't affected anything to my knowledge (yet) but this doesn't seem right. Is it just this one pump or have other had the same happen?

[iVgOnMaD]

I really want to try these on a wave controller so I am going to p/u that Chauvet timer that KT150 has for sale. I will post results :cool:

[iVgOnMaD]

Any way to make these 'nem safe? I haven't picked mine up so I don't know what kind of attachments they come with :o

[barometer]

I don't have a wave controller right now Ivan, but I'm working on that.

As far as being nem-safe, I'd think that same tricks as other pumps may work. The intake is very small, about quarter size and there's a hemisphere cover for it. You could problably rig a small piece of sponge or something over it to protect nems. :)

[iVgOnMaD]

Tested them on the Chauvet timer and they work flawlessly :D :cool: :)

I will post a video soon :)

no clicking noise either!!

[sandiegan]

Now we just have to wait and see how long they'll hold up under that stress. Glad to hear they work right now though! :D

[KT-150]

Tested them on the Chauvet timer and they work flawlessly :D :cool: :)

I will post a video soon :)

no clicking noise either!!

did you mod it already?

[iVgOnMaD]

I think it was already moded, who did you get it from?

[iVgOnMaD]

tried them in my 90 36x24x24 and did not see much wave action but then again the eductors are pushing like 5-10x more water and overpower them. I will try them in my 37 tall and report :D

[iVgOnMaD]

Here is the video, excuse the messy kitchen :o

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/ivgonmad/Aquariums/Misc/th_MVI_0012.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/ivgonmad/Aquariums/Misc/?action=view&current=MVI_0012.flv)

[GoTakuF1]

Look at those little pumps go! Nice color coded extension cords :)

PS Man, that little Chauvet is getting tossed around like a cheap floosie! Did any of yous mod it yet?

[iVgOnMaD]

I bought the capacitor to do it today, but seems its moded already, it switches from ~10 seconds to about 1 min in Chase mode, Timer mode is 1min - 15mins.

[iVgOnMaD]

Put the setup on my 37g tall and it is awesome!

[KT-150]

you know what? i got it already modded by jeff (mramc). he got it from minh. that wavemaker's a little *****.;)

[iVgOnMaD]

I wonder if there is any way we can mod the pumps to move more water :rolleyes:

[barometer]

I was thinking about that Ivan, maybe a little eductor type attachment to the output or something? :rolleyes: :cool: I'd just like to get the flow a little more spread.

[GoTakuF1]

I wonder if there is any way we can mod the pumps to move more water :rolleyes:

You can shorten the snout, like this mod (http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33893). Or you can do the stream mod but you'll have to find the right prop/rod combo. The other problem with that is creating the shroud. If this pump is as small as I think it is, making the shrould could be difficult unless you're quite handy with a dremel.

If you guys can pull off a stream mod with these little guys, they can easily pump 3-4x the current rated flow.

[iVgOnMaD]

I am going to buy 4 more to mess around with and see what I can do with them, anybody want to get some too and split shipping?

[iVgOnMaD]

you think these pumps could be used to run tiny skimmers?

[GoTakuF1]

I am going to buy 4 more to mess around with and see what I can do with them, anybody want to get some too and split shipping?

I'll probably go in just so see what all the fuss is about :) I'm sure a lot of people will chime in if you do a groupbuy in the For Sale section.


you think these pumps could be used to run tiny skimmers?

Possibly, you can always make a little venturi and find out. Probably be on par if not better than a Rio 600 with RVT.

[sandiegan]

I'd probably jump on the GB just to play around with them at the least.

And if you're any good with acrylic at all, it'd be easy to use them to run a mini Aqua-C style skimmer. In fact I might try that when I get back down there.

[rudy]

Anyone know if they'll fit in a barrel bung hole?

[GoTakuF1]

Anyone know if they'll fit in a barrel bung hole?

In the words of Michael Scott from The Office: "That's what she said."

Sorry I couldn't resist.

[pnguy3n]

In the words of Michael Scott from The Office: "That's what she said."

Sorry I couldn't resist.


lol Minh that episode was so funny. The deposition

[barometer]

OK, I've been running these on a wave timer. Everything was OK, but now one of them works fine and the other sticks after every restart. I have to put my finger in front of the output so the pressure can kick it loose. I've cleaned it thoroughly twice and it still happens. That plug also runs hot, but not the other. I'm gonna chalk it up faulty one.

Now I need to replace the second one. Does anyone have one they'd like to sell/trade?

[iVgOnMaD]

what I did was remove the little o-rings on the impeller shaft, they cause the problems I believe,I removed them and no more getting stuck.

[barometer]

Thanks Ivan, I will give that a try tonite :)

[WRAiTHY]

ED - did you buy your replacement yet? If not, I think I have a brand new one that you can have. I bought 4 from fraggle and only used 2. I wanted to keep one as a spare. If you want it, I can bring it to pool tomorrow night. LMK.