Austin goes Rimless - Dudester's 203g mixed reef
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Dudester
Premium Member
That's what I'm counting on. I actually posted incorrectly a few pages back when discussing this topic. I mentioned that tank in Thailand had 2 waveboxes when, in fact, it has 4 of them, and they're truly hardly noticable except to those who are actually looking for them.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10730287#post10730287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMFett
As for the wavebox "eye sore" - once they are coraline crusted and your have beautiful corals in there- hardly anyone will even notice it. I can't wait to see some corals mounted up!!!!
By the way, I don't know if your roomie told you, but I was at your house a couple weekends ago and saw your tank again. It just keeps getting better and better. Awesome job, Marcus!
Dudester
Premium Member
Quick tank update:
Brown diatoms are developing in the sand. I'd really like to have pristine sand - should I siphon this out or leave it and allow nature to take its course? Ultimately I plan on having an aggressive sand-stirring crew along with regular siphoning to keep it clean.
My GroTech ZEOvit reactor has arrived!! I haven't had a chance to plumb it in just yet, but I should get to it in the next day or so. The quicker I get started, the quicker I'll be able to begin stocking the tank.
I saw a video of the Vortec pumps functioning as a wavemaker, and this really interested me. It would be great to replace the Tunze Wavebox for 2 Vortecs, but the price difference would be substantial. The Wavebox is around $500, and 2 Vortecs alone cost around $700, and that doesn't even include the cost of the wireless wave controller. I spoke with one of the guys at Ecotech Marine and he felt that 2 Vortecs would be able to create a nice wave in a tank of my size. Hmmm, decisions decisions.
Brown diatoms are developing in the sand. I'd really like to have pristine sand - should I siphon this out or leave it and allow nature to take its course? Ultimately I plan on having an aggressive sand-stirring crew along with regular siphoning to keep it clean.
My GroTech ZEOvit reactor has arrived!! I haven't had a chance to plumb it in just yet, but I should get to it in the next day or so. The quicker I get started, the quicker I'll be able to begin stocking the tank.
I saw a video of the Vortec pumps functioning as a wavemaker, and this really interested me. It would be great to replace the Tunze Wavebox for 2 Vortecs, but the price difference would be substantial. The Wavebox is around $500, and 2 Vortecs alone cost around $700, and that doesn't even include the cost of the wireless wave controller. I spoke with one of the guys at Ecotech Marine and he felt that 2 Vortecs would be able to create a nice wave in a tank of my size. Hmmm, decisions decisions.
melev
Well-known member
We have a thread about them on DFWMAS right now, and the bottom line is they are both quality products with strengths and weaknesses.
http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=36712
http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=36712
new_world_disor
Active member
love the tank so far mate. gd work. really like the aquascaping !
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jnarowe
New member
I disagree regarding quality. I think in regards to Tunze, that is essentially the result of excellent customer service here in the US, but around the World their reputation is not as good. I have taken a couple apart and they look like they are built with Radio Shack parts, especially that 6025.
Vortech will take a huge bite out of their market, at least until a knockoff gets built in China. I am guessing that is part of Eco-Tech's long term strategy regarding using the wireless driver. I would bet that could insulate them from competitors because of the whole wireless approval process.
Even with all the issues I have had to deal with, I just don't think that Tunze is on the same level when it comes to pump construction.
Vortech will take a huge bite out of their market, at least until a knockoff gets built in China. I am guessing that is part of Eco-Tech's long term strategy regarding using the wireless driver. I would bet that could insulate them from competitors because of the whole wireless approval process.
Even with all the issues I have had to deal with, I just don't think that Tunze is on the same level when it comes to pump construction.
melev
Well-known member
Jonathan, I've not heard from German reefkeepers complaining about quality, and would really like to see some kind of proof that "around the world their reputation is not as good."
If you had a 6100 Stream or the Tunze Turbelle, you'd have had a better case study. The Nano Streams are cheaply made to reach that market that would never pay for the more expensive version. When I bought my first Tunze Turbelle, I couldn't believe I just plunked down $225 for a powerhead.
That pump served me well in my 55g for two years, using less than 40w of power for 800gph. And that was older technology. Later I took that same pump, contacted Roger and converted it into a Stream 6100 with some different parts, and used it for another 3 years. That's 5 years with that original pump.
While most people know I love my VorTechs and chose to switch to them, I refuse to spread negative thoughts that Tunze isn't any good. Now if you want to talk about Rio pumps, I'll be happy to delve into it.
If you had a 6100 Stream or the Tunze Turbelle, you'd have had a better case study. The Nano Streams are cheaply made to reach that market that would never pay for the more expensive version. When I bought my first Tunze Turbelle, I couldn't believe I just plunked down $225 for a powerhead.
That pump served me well in my 55g for two years, using less than 40w of power for 800gph. And that was older technology. Later I took that same pump, contacted Roger and converted it into a Stream 6100 with some different parts, and used it for another 3 years. That's 5 years with that original pump.
While most people know I love my VorTechs and chose to switch to them, I refuse to spread negative thoughts that Tunze isn't any good. Now if you want to talk about Rio pumps, I'll be happy to delve into it.
Bax
Premium Member
Dude
I've been thinking about a wave box, but I am leaning toward the VorTechs with the wave controller for the 220 project as I can start with one and add the second as I go to spread the cost out a little and add flow as the system ages and corals grow out. I'll also have 3 x 6100 at start as well so I can add a fourth if needed.
I've been thinking about a wave box, but I am leaning toward the VorTechs with the wave controller for the 220 project as I can start with one and add the second as I go to spread the cost out a little and add flow as the system ages and corals grow out. I'll also have 3 x 6100 at start as well so I can add a fourth if needed.
Bax
Premium Member
I think the VT looks better, but it must be flat to the glass, which is made up for by its very wide flow pattern. But I don;t really think the Tunzes are all that awful if you can tuck them in a corner or near an overflow, behind a rock ... whatever to hide them.
I really like the interplay of the two products and think it is worth evaluating using both in different spots in your tank.
I really like the interplay of the two products and think it is worth evaluating using both in different spots in your tank.
Dudester
Premium Member
Wow, I leave the computer for a few hours and I miss a great discussion! Please keep it up, you're all making excellent points. I think, in my case, I'll stick to the wavebox for my wavemaking purpose. It's tried and true, and we all know that it functions very well in a large tank. The demos shown by Ecotech Marine all use small cube tanks, and I've not seen any evidence that their pumps will function in a larger tank. I really don't want to be a test subject for new technology, especially at that cost. I'm not opposed to potentially "upgrading" to the Vortec wavemaking system in the future, but I'd like to see it in use in someone else's tank before I try it out. And I think some of you are getting a little off track comparing Tunze streams to the Vortecs. My debate was around using a Tunze Wavebox vs. 2 Vortecs to create the wave. I really don't want powerheads in the tank to function in a traditional sense.
GSMguy - The skimmer's working just fine, I believe. I empty the cup and riser every 3 days. The surface is covered by a thick black muddy material, and the cup contains a small amount of very dark liquid. All in all the odor resembles the ocean more than excrement, but there ain't nothing taking a dookie in the tank yet, so I'm probably all right for now. That will change in due time.
GSMguy - The skimmer's working just fine, I believe. I empty the cup and riser every 3 days. The surface is covered by a thick black muddy material, and the cup contains a small amount of very dark liquid. All in all the odor resembles the ocean more than excrement, but there ain't nothing taking a dookie in the tank yet, so I'm probably all right for now. That will change in due time.
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