3 x 6105s in a 90gal

[Padrino]

Well as the title states i have purchased 3 of the 6105s for my 90 gal. I am finding it extremely hard not to blow everything in the tank even at 30%. It seems to be okay with 1 pump on but the minute i turn on the second or third pump my tank looks like its going through a permanent storm all the time. Also i thought i read in the manual that it is not supposed to go below 30%? Can anyone confirm this? Is it ok to go from like 50% to 0 and then back to 50%?

Also if anyone has a good idea or has a good program written for controlling their pumps. I have a AC3 with aquasurf. I am having trouble finding what i want for the tank.

Thanks
Rob

 

[rvitko]

On a 90 gal I would only use 2. I would alternate which one is running. Switch your power supply to 12V. This will cut the flow roughly in half and you still have the 30%-100% range but it is 600-1800 gph instead of 1100-3400.

 

[Xartni]

Sorry to hi-jack, but I was going to post something very similar to this.

I have an 80 gal tank, probably really close to the dimensions of the 90. It is 48x18x20 or something close to that.

I was planning on getting two 6105's and a 7096 to run them. The tank is mostly lps and softies with a few sps.

The tank has a corner overflow. I wanted to place both pumps on the back wall and angle them so that the flow meets somewhere in the front middle... I want to avoid putting the pumps on the sides, as both sides are in prime viewing areas.

Will this work? I guess I could live with one pump on the side next to the overflow and the other on the back wall.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jason

 

[rvitko]

It should work, but for a mainly LPS and softy tank you would likely have better flow for the inhabitants with 2 6055's and a Nano Wavebox.

 

[Xartni]

Interesting, never thought about the wave box. I will research it, however, maybe you can answer a couple of questions.

Can this be put on the side right next to the overflow? The 6055's are not controllable, right? With the wavebox on the side of the tank, would I just put the two 6055's on the back wall? Currently I have a Koralia 2 and Koralia 4 on the back walls angled pointing toward the middle front of the tank.

I was originally thinking about the 6105's in order to get some variability in the tank. However, the wave box does sound pretty cool. I am assuming the wave is adjustable, so that you do not have water sloshing out of the tank?

Sorry for the newb questions. Thanks for your time!

Jason

 

[Padrino]

I cannot seem to find those 12v jumpers. Also i found when i did have them in it was not enough juice to run the pumps and they sorta farted every 20 seconds as they tried to turn on. Also it is supposed to power my DC3 on my aquacontroller through the aquasurf.

 

[kross]

On my 90 Gallon tank, my overflow is in the middle (Offset to the left) my Nano Wave Box is in the front left corner. I have two 6105 one placed next to the nano wave box aiming to the back of the tank and the other is on the other side of the tank back wall aiming almost to the center to the tank.

I do have them connected to a 7096 controller.

The Wave Box allows for the wave motion to take place throughout the tank. The two 6105 provide different flow methods. The Wavebox manual provides some great ideas where placement should be on your tank which I followed. (Going to be curious on Rogers response if the 6055 are also good with the 7096)

It was an expensive undertaking but the end results are second to none. I have both LPS and SPS, with fish. I have mine set at 12v, and the only time the tank becomes cloudy is in storm mode.

I have placed the Wave Box all over the tank and tried every configuration and it does work pretty much anywhere, just takes longer to dial in if you place it next to the overflow. But I have had the same results placing it length or width of the tank.
As for my final settings with the 7096 controller I am still playing but should have them detailed out next week.
As for the other question:

Yes the wave box comes with a controller and can be adjusted, light sensor and feed mode. Cannot stress enough the dial is very sensitive so take your time when are setting up the Wave Box.

As for adjusting the power of the 6105 look on the power supply cannot miss it a small jumper, also in the manual on page 29 shows where the jumper is located.

 

[rvitko]

Xartini, The nano wavebox can be placed on the side or on the back, it just needs to be all the way to one side of the aquarium, you can adjust the wave height, at full power the wave will likely be about 1" tall.

Padrino, it sounds like the pump was in fishcare function, likely interrupting the power reset the controller or started foodtimer mode. Regardless of what jumper you use the output to the controller is 8V unless you turn down the potentiometer on the junction box. This potentiometer must be at full power when you use a controller.

kross, The 6055's also work with the 7096, a 6055 at 24V is almost equal to a 6105 at the 12V setting, the 6055 has a narrower flow pattern, 18" instead of 24". The 6055 would be the pump I would choose for a non SPS tank, the 6105 is what I would choose for SPS. The 6105 can be too strong for some LPS, and softies in a smaller tank like a 90 gallon.

 

[Xartni]

kross, Roger, thanks for the responses.

I did a little research last night and had a few more questions.

Looks like some people were concerned with the seams of the their tanks from the stress of the waves. Even the manual mentions this. I would only want a 1/4"- 1/2" wave, as I really just want the flow within the tank, I don't think I really want a huge wave by any means. Is this something to realistically be concerned about? It's a glass tank, btw.

I thought the 6055's were not controllable (by a 7096?). I am still thinking about the 6105's, because I would like to be able to use them in the future if (hopefully when) I upgrade to a 60" tank. Using the 12v jumper and using the 7096, hopefully I should be able to dial them back enough as to not create sandstorms everywhere? Or is it more of a question of the flow pattern?

Again, thanks for your help!

Jason

 

[rvitko]

6055's are absolutely controllable, they are just like the 6105 except a smaller version. If you plan to upgrade the 6105's may be a better choice.

The wavebox shortens the tanks life, a well made name brand glass tank will usually hold water for 20 years, if you use a wavebox, on average the life will be 17-18 years, assuming there are no other risk factors, i.e. it is on a level sturdy stand and is not moved full of water or substrate. Very few tanks last 17-18 years in use because typically after 10 years the seams are discolored, the glass is scratched the trim is faded and it is time to replace the tank for cosmetic reasons. You would want at least a 1/2" wave or the flow generated would be too weak to be of any real value.

 

[Xartni]

Thanks Roger.

Ok, so nothing really to worry about as far as tank longeivity is concerned. If I don't upgrade in the next 15 years, then something is seriously wrong!

I really just need to think about the 6055's vs 6105's. I also have to see if my tank can even handle 1/2" to 1" waves. I am not sure how much clearance I have. I will have to check that tonight.

If I am not able to utilize the wavemaker for the clearance issues, would you still recommend the 6055's or would the 6105's be better at that point?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

If you know you are getting a bigger tank in the next couple years the 6105's then make more sense.