Best flow for 300G? Tunze Steams, Seaswirls, or Other?

[Anonymous]

Ah, I just noticed that they are also available in 230 volts too! That'll help out on the power bill even more! Yeah!

Louey

 

[npaden]

That'll help out on the power bill even more!

Not really, but that is an argument for another day.

Also you might think of resale value on a pump like that if something doesn't work out for some reason or another I bet the 115V version would sell alot easier.

 

[Anonymous]

Quote:
That'll help out on the power bill even more!


Not really, but that is an argument for another day.

Today is fine. Let's hear it? :wink: Power consumption is inversely proportional to voltage. So if the voltage was doubled, the watts would be cut in half, less the power factor of the motor, no?

Louey

 

[npaden]

Watts wouldn't be cut in half, Amps would.

To get wattage basically you multiply the voltage X Amps.

So if a 115V motor used 3 amps it would = 345 watts.

If you upped it to 230V it would only use 1.5 amps but the wattage would remain the same.

The benefit to higher voltages is in line losses. At the stepped up voltage and lower amperage there is less resistance to overcome in the line. Even that isn't really accurate because the way you are getting the stepped up voltage is by running 2 wires hot and so you just have 2 wires with line loss instead of one. To make it the most efficient you would need to use a transformer. If you have a long run of wire (50' or more) to get to your pump it might make sense to get a 230V pump.

We are talking about very minor differences in overall electrical consumption.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, niether of us is looking at this just right.

You are right, amps are cut in half when voltage is double, not watts.

But your example is not correct. If a 115V motor draws 3 amps, then the resistance of the motor is 38.33 ohms. Those ohms remain the same regardless of voltage. So the amps at 230 volts would be (230/38.33) = 6 amps. The power would then be (230 X 6) = 1380 watts.

Man, where was my head when I made my original statement. And I am a licensed master electrician! Doh! Better brush up on my ohms law!

I am glad we kicked this around though. Because your final point is correct and well taken. Buy 120V!

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I got my notion about the power getting cut in half when thinking about wiring my mutli-tap MH ballasts at 240 instead of 120. In that case, because of the transformer in the ballast, the power savings would be realized.

Louey

 

[npaden]

In that case, because of the transformer in the ballast, the power savings would be realized.

I would have to disagree there as well. The same principle applies. Doubling the voltage doesn't change the amount of energy used by the ballast.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[dizzy]

Also you might think of resale value on a pump like that if something doesn't work out for some reason or another I bet the 115V version would sell alot easier.

I thought the pumps and motors would be the same. I thought you just changed the internal wiring of the motor at the junction box where the power cord attaches. I could swear I have done this in the past.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Nathan said:

Quote:
In that case, because of the transformer in the ballast, the power savings would be realized.


I would have to disagree there as well. The same principle applies. Doubling the voltage doesn't change the amount of energy used by the ballast.

FWIW, Nathan

Gee! You're really taking me to school in my own trade!

I just dusted off my old transformer book, and once again stand corrected.

What do you do for a living? Please, don't say plumber. :lol:

Louey

 

[Big R]

I am amazed that "closed loop" has no votes! Everybody I know setting up high end aquariums is using this method....both for performance and asthetics. I really don't understand anybody deciding on their circulation system based on the miniscule power consumption differences.

R

 

[npaden]

I thought the pumps and motors would be the same. I thought you just changed the internal wiring of the motor at the junction box where the power cord attaches. I could swear I have done this in the past.

That sounds reasonable. I know you can do this with multi-tap MH ballasts. I'm not sure what sequence does on their pumps. They could use motors specifically designed to run on 240V but I'm not sure.

What do you do for a living?

Heh. I'm a CPA. I've just gone through some of the same decisions you are making and researched them out already. I like the theory of fluid dynamics and crunching numbers to get the best efficiency and flow and that kind of stuff. I have spreadsheets for most of it.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

BigR wrote:

I really don't understand anybody deciding on their circulation system based on the miniscule power consumption differences.

Actually, the discusion on power consumption was a side topic regarding pump voltages only.

Closed loops are certainly good ways to create good flow in a reef. If the looks of having powerheads, such as the Tunze Streams, was a factor, I would definately be looking at the best way to build a closed loop. With my built-in set up, the Streams will be out of view.

Louey

 

[npaden]

I am a proponent of the prop pumps for their efficiency and their flow pattern. Some people just don't like having something like that in their tank and for them a closed loop is probably the way to go.