What do you all think. Im still trying to decide how i want to set up my 280gal tank (72L 36W 25T) I was thinking about having two darts going to two 8way OM for the returns but now im thinking about just having one Dart for the return and using a tunze wavebox or the stream pumps for flow. Any suggestions? Iv never used tunze before. How does that wave box work? What would be better the 8 ways or tunze? Please help. I'm all confused LOL
280gal Flow help needed! Tunze's or OM??
- Thread starter PJsStuff
- Start date
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
I'd go with two 6200 Streams and the WaveBox, it's more versatile and the biggie, it's Plug & Play and two OM 8 ways are a PITA to plumb, it's like a spaghetti factory when you're done and after you buy all the plumbing for the 8 ways the Tunze setup is gonna be a bit cheaper 
I personally don't like the look of power heads in the tank. I would go with the OceansMotions Closed Loop setup. It's not as hard to plumb as some say. Plus their customer service and forums are very helpful with aiding you in helping you set it up for your purposes. They are a dozen or so example setups on their site as well. You might look in to two 4-Ways as well.
I really think either way is a personal choice. You can get the same effect either way you go; however you do seem to have a little bit more flexibility and control with the Tunze; although you sacrifice the "clean" look.
I really think either way is a personal choice. You can get the same effect either way you go; however you do seem to have a little bit more flexibility and control with the Tunze; although you sacrifice the "clean" look.
ReefingBuddha
New member
I have had both and both have their ups and downs. The OM's are not that hard to put together and you don't have any real obstructions in your tank... having said that. If you have the space I would suggest to get 3 large tunze's with the deco rocks and place them on top of your rockwork. I had 2x 6100 with deco rocks in my 120 and you don't notice them unless you look very carefully for them. One thing that I really like about the tunzes is that you can change the flow whenever you want and add more if you need to. As your flow requirements change you can also move them if you want.
I like tunze's, they have always worked very well for me and if its either one or the other I would go with the tunzes. Of course, you could always plumbing 1 OM 4 or 8 way and get two tunze 6200's. You can dial the 6200's back significantly until you need the higher flow down the line. I think that would be the best of all options and you get the best of both worlds.
With that said... I'm no expert, just my .02 cents. Best of luck!
I like tunze's, they have always worked very well for me and if its either one or the other I would go with the tunzes. Of course, you could always plumbing 1 OM 4 or 8 way and get two tunze 6200's. You can dial the 6200's back significantly until you need the higher flow down the line. I think that would be the best of all options and you get the best of both worlds.
With that said... I'm no expert, just my .02 cents. Best of luck!
disbjohn
New member
vortechs put out flow comparable to the 6100 stream. i believe the flow pattern of the vortech is even wider than the stream. both vortech and stream are good products with great customer support.
- pros of vortech
smaller footprint
less heat in the tank
- pros of tunze
can point them in any different directions
it is possible to produce a wave with both of these products. vortech is about to release their wireless driver which will allow full control of wave functions.
tunze streams have the 7095 controller. it is also possible to control the streams and create waves if you have a neptune systems aquacontroller with the aquasurf.
the wavebox has a 6200 tunze stream inside the box. the way it works is it displaces the water in the box out to the tank and then vice versa. it uses resonate frequency of the tank to create waves.
the reason you can't use a 7095 controller to create waves with regular streams is because the min pulse time is 1.5 seconds. the wavebox can go down to tenths of a second.
that's the beauty of the neptune sys' aquasurf. if you do plan on getting a controller for your tank i would really look into getting the aquasurf, skip getting the 7095 controller. all controllable streams can be used with the aquasurf.
a possible advantage over using streams/vortech vs OM closed loop with dart pumps is that you will be using less electricity.
hope that helps.
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
i didn't get that impression from them. the outside unit heated up, it heated the glass and the glass transfered the heat to the tank.
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
it's an add-on to the AC3, AC3Pro, and ACJr not a stand alone unit.
http://www.neptunesys.com/modules.htm#AQUASURF
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
the wavebox causes a wave of the entire tank volume moving back and forth, Streams can't do that type of wave.
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
yes
disbjohn
New member
some people are able to get a wave without the wavebox using the stream pumps only. check out the neptune systems forum.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1035647&goto=lastpost
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1035647&goto=lastpost
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
do you have some new magic VorTech that doesn't heat the tank? every one I've seen heated the glass and the tank so your comment on heat is mute. the Tunze adds No More heat then a VorTech but they have the versatility to be positioned and pointed...
