Tunze stream - someone psyched out my purchase ;)

[Playdope]

Someone got me second guessing myself on a decision to get a Tunze stream pump. They said it sounded like I was planning an SPS dominant tank when im actually just planning on a few SPS, with the tank dominated by LPS. Told me the LPS and Softies would blow away Could you let me know what you think?

I already have the following:
Iwaki 30RLT (return pump) - returning through back wall of tank
Iwaki 30RLXT (closed loop) - returning through back wall 2 locations
1 Maxi Jet 1200 (aimed up for breaking surface on right side of tank)
1 Maxi Jet 1200 - on left side of tank

I was going to replace the last 1200 with a Tunze 6100 setup (1800+-gph with the wave control). What do you think? Will this be too much current for all of those LPS? Will also be some softies. A few SPS + clams.

The other opion was to leave the MJ1200 on the left and just add another MJ 1200 to another portion of the tank - then put both of those on like a Red Sea wavemaker.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

what size tank?

 

[Anonymous]

Oops, I guess 100. I have the smallest size stream in a 120, and I definitely wouldn't want bigger. The one you are getting can run at a variable speed, right? It probably will be fine. You wouldn't want anything directly in it's path though.

 

[Playdope]

Yeh, it's a 100 (5 ft long).

I would get the 6000, with the control. They told me i could bring it down to 30% flow, which would be about 500gph. However, I'm not sure if this is too much for the tank.

I dont know what you would consider "direct flow" I mean if it's on the left wall of the tank, and it's blowing accross, do you mean it should be out in front of the corals? If it's overkill I'd rather not get into a hassle of sand blown everywhere, etc.. I guess what Im wondering is how would the pump be benefitting me? Would it only be benefitting me with variable flow - because you say it is to strong to be in the direct line of fire with the corals?
Thanks

 

[Playdope]

I just ordered the 6000 w/control + magnet holder. Hopefully it will work out okay, since I thought I already had decent flow with the stuff in there now. I really hate when the sand gets all blow around funny!!

 

[guano]

i have 2 of the smallest streems in my 120g. to tame the output I added about 8 inches of pipe to the output (i think it was 1 1/2 inch diameter) and capped the ends. then i drilled a couple of dozen holes. lots of water movement without the concentrated stream.

 

[Playdope]

guano- do you have the streams with the controller that lets you reduce the flow to 30%? not looking to knock what you did, but isn't the whole benefit of the stream that it gives a big broad output?

 

[Anonymous]

Mine is directed across the back of the (4 foot) tank. The stream pushes enough water that it makes almost a full circuit around the tank, back across the front. It's a lot of water, but not moving super fast, which is just the way you want it. The corals are growing up into the path of it and seem to be doing fine, although they are quite massive.

 

[guano]

the manual even tells you what size pipe to use. without the defusers the stream of water was very strong and would dig holes in the substrate on the opposite end of the tank. my streams are not of the adjustable type. that to me would seem to defeat the pourpose. mine still put out nearly 100 percent flow they just don't put it out like a firehose now.
actualy i think that the holes closest to the pump are acting like a venturii, my anemone is only inches away and is angling twards the pipe not away. I have been thinking of shortening the pipes or of mounting a stream at either end of one pipe across the back.

 

[DK]

I have the 6060 on my 100g LPS & softies tank and I don't feel it is overpowering at all. It clearly has more flow than the 3 maxijets that I have opposite it on the wavemaker. I have the 6060 pointed and angled toward the front glass. The 6080 on a 4ft 90g sps is a bit strong but those corals not in the direct line seem to be benefiting from it and particles appear to be suspended in the water column for quite a while (a good thing).

 

[Playdope]

Just put the 6000 on controller in the tank today w/magnet holder. Pretty impressed so far with the pump. I am however a little unsure about 2 things. How is it best to set the pulse, and power of each pump? Do different corals prefer different pulsing?

 

[guano]

In my tank the output of the stream would dig up the the argonite on the otherside of the aquarium 4 foot away. I tried reaiming, placing a lr there to buffer it but still about the best i could do was one month to the gratting below the argonite. now my fish do't get blown around, i don't have my substrate being desturmed my torch wafts around instead of always going the same direction. the holes are about 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch and cover almost 180 degrees of the pipe there are also a couple of smaller holes in the end cap, altogether 20 to 25 holes. more area than the outlet on the stream. I like this better than a bare stream, but i'm not done yet.
on another note, I had one of my streams burn up. Tunze replaced it, but now i check them monthly. The one that burned up was about 6 months old and just seemed to be getting weaker and weaker then stoped. the resin that incased the motor was bubled and had what looked like rust leaking from it. Tunze's explanation was that there was a bubble trail in the resin that let water in and tripped an internal gfci. I don't buy that they have internal gfci's, the place for a gfci is at the plug not in the water with the pump. that is my next project.

 

[Playdope]

Will SPS need direct flow from the stream? I'm looking for some kind of an idea as to what kind and how much flow SPS will need.

 

[DK]

I would not have the stream (or any strong pump) flow directly on a coral. I aim mine above the corals or against the glass. I do have a montipora in the flow of a stream. There is no pollyp extension. Ill see if there is no growth in the next couple of months.... ill find a place on the sand for it, the last 2 months show little growth.