270 Gallon SPS tank for JBNY
- Thread starter JB NY
- Start date
melev
Well-known member
Joe, if you've not spent the money yet, I'd really suggest you consider the VorTechs as an option. They don't take up space, add no heat to the tank, and there is no risk of electricity in the water. The intakes stay cleaner (don't get clogged up), and you don't have to purchase the Magnets (to attach) or Rock (to hide) the pumps.
I've got both, and prefer the VorTech. They just aren't as obtrusive. A controller should come out later this year. Some people are using the Battery BackUp to create a variable speed system using timers or current controllers they own. The pump is put on high, and then the timer kills the power to it. That causes it to switch to battery-mode, which runs the pump at 50% for the duration.
Plus, if you don't have power for some reason, the VorTech will run (one pump) for 24 hours creating circulation in the tank even if you aren't there. Here's a current picture of my tank. Tunzes on the left, Vortech on the right.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/01/280g_fulltank_011207.jpg
I've got both, and prefer the VorTech. They just aren't as obtrusive. A controller should come out later this year. Some people are using the Battery BackUp to create a variable speed system using timers or current controllers they own. The pump is put on high, and then the timer kills the power to it. That causes it to switch to battery-mode, which runs the pump at 50% for the duration.
Plus, if you don't have power for some reason, the VorTech will run (one pump) for 24 hours creating circulation in the tank even if you aren't there. Here's a current picture of my tank. Tunzes on the left, Vortech on the right.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/01/280g_fulltank_011207.jpg
melev
Well-known member
With the type of flow you get, it isn't directional but rather full sweep. I did a video once of the flow. Let's see...
http://www.melevsreef.com/video/vortech_flow.wmv (14 megs)
http://www.melevsreef.com/video/vortech_flow.wmv (14 megs)
that's awesome!! ive been following this thread to reassure me on a purchase of a 270 (72x36x24) and that vidoe just confirmed it... thanks melev
now i just have to find a great skechup of design with overflows to submit to a manufacturer. and vortechs it will be..(when they get a controller.)
now i just have to find a great skechup of design with overflows to submit to a manufacturer. and vortechs it will be..(when they get a controller.)
DeepBlueSea
New member
Oh how I remember the days.
invincible569
New member
Not a bad idea on the battery backup. You can say it saves $ on electricity by doing this also.
JB NY
Active member
You have both so let me ask you, do you get more flow than a stream? It doesn't look it from the video. Actually I can't tell from the video if you have much flow at all at the other side of the tank. On my 180 when I had the stream on the opposite side of the tank would have so much flow it would raise th water level almost 1/2".
Kieth how you doing buddy! Good to hear you are getting back into the hobby. I'm feeling much better about killing the closed loop, I think it is the right choice.
REEF-DADDY
New member
Marc, Was the stream on in that video? Seems like not much was going on of the left side. I've got one of Vortech contraptions coming on Wednesday!
cali_reef
New member
Joe, you don't remember seeing the flow from Vortec's demo cube tank during this past MACNA? They seen to put out more than my 6100's, the wave effect was AWESOME too. I have a problem putting half of a powerhead on the side of my tank where my son(or other kids) can potentially tug on the wire and pulling it off, thats what is holding me back from getting one for the FOWLR in the living room.
Not sure how the constant intermittent drain will effect the longevity on the sealed lead gel cell battery they use in their back up unit, I would to do some research on that before using it as a "wave maker".
Not sure how the constant intermittent drain will effect the longevity on the sealed lead gel cell battery they use in their back up unit, I would to do some research on that before using it as a "wave maker".
JB NY
Active member
I remember the demo at MACNA. But they had like six of them in one cube and it was sort of hard to tell how much flow was produced by one.
Really the main reason I didn't pay attention to them is they are a fixed powerhead. I just have a hard time with buying one if it can not be positioned where I need it.
Really the main reason I didn't pay attention to them is they are a fixed powerhead. I just have a hard time with buying one if it can not be positioned where I need it.
melev
Well-known member
Joe, I've got another <b>79meg</b> video for you to watch from MACNA, using only two VorTechs in that cube.
http://www.reefcast.com/episodes/vortec2.mpg
When I made that video in my own tank, the Streams were turned off to show what it could do by itself. It was running at 50%. I find the flow to be wide and circular, in that while it is pushing out up to 3200gph (on high), it is drawing in water from the area around it. This has created a reaction from the sandbed, in that the area under the vortech nearest the end panel is almost gone. There's a significant hill about 1' away from the glass, which you can see in the picture I posted. I guess similar to ebb and flow.
The Tunzes push lots of water as well, but it is more direct. I have an A. nobilis that doesn't like getting pounded, so I have to point the Tunze in a way that it doesn't hit it head on about 24" away. With the VorTech, I just move it slightly to the left and down 1" if I need to make such a change, or dial down the flow with the speed control knob.
I have a couple of extra Tunzes, and I use them to mix saltwater.
http://www.reefcast.com/episodes/vortec2.mpg
When I made that video in my own tank, the Streams were turned off to show what it could do by itself. It was running at 50%. I find the flow to be wide and circular, in that while it is pushing out up to 3200gph (on high), it is drawing in water from the area around it. This has created a reaction from the sandbed, in that the area under the vortech nearest the end panel is almost gone. There's a significant hill about 1' away from the glass, which you can see in the picture I posted. I guess similar to ebb and flow.
The Tunzes push lots of water as well, but it is more direct. I have an A. nobilis that doesn't like getting pounded, so I have to point the Tunze in a way that it doesn't hit it head on about 24" away. With the VorTech, I just move it slightly to the left and down 1" if I need to make such a change, or dial down the flow with the speed control knob.
I have a couple of extra Tunzes, and I use them to mix saltwater.
REEF-DADDY
New member
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