Sure flow MJ mod review

[Samper]

Sure Flow 1600 Kit: Premium Aquatics

I bought one a few weeks ago after a local reefkeeper recommended them. I have been very impressed. I just received eight more yesterday. For starters this mod is very easy to put together. I can set it all up in under a minute. The old MJ mod kits were a pain in the butt to assemble. I don't know if any of you ever set one of those up but I watched one go together and vowed to never go through the hassle. This kit makes it seriously easy.

I read that some people had a few problems with them like the prop trying to spin backwards or that they were noisy on startup. I didn't have any of these problems with the six I have so far installed.

It really makes it nice if you get the sure grip magnets. Sure Grip 50 Magnetic Powerhead Holder up to 1/2": Premium Aquatics

This mod is designed for them but if you don't want to purchase these the stock MJ suction cup mount will fit. In addition, the kit comes with two impellers of different sizes for different applications. The $15.00 for the kit is worth it just for the impellers alone. I don't think I'll regret this purchase. I'm running four fewer powerheads in my two 75 gallons after adding two of these to each......oh yeah I moved my 75 gallon from this thread Got me a new system to my home here.

When I started these I had deitritus flying around that I was unable to remove from the rocks by basting and the old flow rates. I can tell a very significant increase in the water that this mod moves. You could white water raft on the surface of these displays.

Total Cost to set one of these up is around $60 if you're buying new Maxi Jet 1200's, the sure grips, and the sure flow 1600 kit. They blow the Koralia model 4 out of the water. Long term I don't know what effect if any these larger impellers have on the pump life but we all know how well Maxi Jet powerheads work.

[Ramer]

I have one myself. WOW,these things sure do work great.

[Ratpack]

I totally agree with this post. I got my first one last week and tested it out. WOW, too much for my 47g but will be great in the 75g when it comes online. Also, to save a few coins, I glued the suction cup bracket to a medium Mag Float and then trimmed the excess. Works great and saved about $15 verses the Sure Grip.

[Reefland]

Samper, Ramer and Ratpack,

Any updates? Just got one to try out myself.

[Ratpack]

I was actually able to use it with the smaller blade in my 47g cube, but it was a ton of flow. I am very satisfied with them. In fact I ordered two more, but they were the ecomods with suction mounts similar to koralias. I am working on the 75g now and should have it up and running in a month or two. At least I hope so before the HA takes over my current tank.

[Reefland]

I read some reviews of noise for a few weeks, can you confirm?

[Ratpack]

I had read that as well, but mine never really made any noise. It did click a few times when starting up, but nothing after that. Now, you wil want them deep in the tank as they will pull a whirlpool in a heartbeat, which sucks air into the tank and shoots microbubbles everywhere. But if they are about 4-6 inches deep, they are fine.

[charlie]

Does anyone have a pic of how far they stick out in the tank??

[Reefland]

They don't look any more intrusive than a Tunze to me?
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[charlie]

That'll work, thanx Scott!!!!

[Reefland]

Should have mine today.

[Reefland]

Got my Sure Flow today and put together. A couple of notes:
1. The mod is overly simple to construct, takes about 1 minute.
2. It sure does produce a lot of movement and the size is very comparable to a Tunze Stream (not including the holding brackets).
3. The impellar frequently gets caught on the shrowd and makes an ungodly noise (the only downside)

Not sure if 3 is something on my part or not, doing some searching around now. Seems as if the little plastic piece inside the shrowd could be cut off?

[Ramer]

I know what you are saying, I trimmed off some shroud with the dremmel I have two in the 90 with the magnets. I think they work great

[CSeaSee]

I actually just put two of these in my 55- I don't get much noise at all when they point roughly parallel to the ground, but if I aim them down, I'll occasionally get the clicking sound- but only with the small blade. The large blade didn't make any noise at all. Overall, I'm very impressed.

[Reefland]

Yeah I like them a lot too, just installed the second one. With these two and the Tunze Stream I think there is finally enough flow in our 75. I used the large impellar with both maxijets.
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[Samper]

I have six running at the moment and have not had a problem out of any of them. The only noise I have ever experienced comes from starting them up...sounds rough for a few seconds at most then quits. I did not mod the mod at all. These were definately better purchases for me than the Hydor Koralias. The ones I bought are still running fine but compared to the MJ sure flow kit they are weak powerheads.

[summerr]

Does anyone know the long term affects on the MJ itself with these mods? I would hate to have it blow up in my tank due to an overload of weight from the impeller. I'm curious because if it was truly that easy why wouldn't Marineland themselves put out this kit.

[charlie]

That is a very good question!!!!! I know folks that have been using them since they came out with the mod, and all they have been doing ismaking sure they clean them.

Like I said, good question.

[Ramer]

My first one is a year old and I haven't had any problems wit it yet. Knock on wood But that is a good ??

[summerr]

My first one is a year old and I haven't had any problems wit it yet. Knock on wood But that is a good ??

That is very good to hear. I get nervous seeing my modded MJ 1200 shake like that.