best flow for my SPS

[reefman77]

now that My tank is BB, I feel like I have enough flow for keeping detrius off the bottom, but I dont think my SPS are getting the flow they need. currently I am running 2 tunze 6060 in the bottom rear corners and a maxi mod blowing twords the back of the tank it is a 48x24x24 tank. no detrius settles but the upper half of the tank seems to be lacking. Im looking to add one more powerhead to give the entire tank some alternating water movement. the tank isnt drilled so closed loop isnt possible. im looking at...

tunze wavebox +good flow -big, expensive

or

one tunze stream w/ controller (what size?) +less expensive -lower flow

or

one vortec pump (does the $344 at marine depot include a controller?)

the pump needs to be quiet or my dad will have a fit.
so, what would you chose and why?

 

[BLKTANG]

Vortech pump.

Why?


Because they are quiet,efficent,& no heat issues in tank.Very powerful.

Yes the controler comes with it,& if u buy 1 now u get a $25 coupon twoards the remote controler when it comes out.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8943340#post8943340 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG

Because they are quiet,efficent,& no heat issues in tank.Very powerful.

I'd like to see a study of how much heat things actually impart.


Anything that moves water will create heat. Water slows down because of friction, and that released heat. (otherwise your water would accelerate infinitely when you turned on your pumps).

So a 3000gph tunze and a 3000gph vortech are creating the same heat from friction. The motor heat is where you're going to see the difference, but from what I see, these are both pretty efficient pumps, so I dont think there even is much motor heat.

We may be talking like 8w of friction heat and 3w of motor heat from the tunze, vs 8w of friction heat from the vortech.... do you really want to make a decision on 3w?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I thought the controller was not out yet for the Vortech? And that $344 was for the Vortech only?
If no controller i'd say a 6000 or 6100 on a controller or Wavebox if you can afford it.

jmo

 

[MiddletonMark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8945192#post8945192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
I thought the controller was not out yet for the Vortech? And that $344 was for the Vortech only?
If no controller i'd say a 6000 or 6100 on a controller.

I agree, probably would go with the 6100 - as you can always turn it's maximum down.

Vortechs are neat/impressive - but appear to be less `aim-able' and lacking the controller [currently] ... I'd go with the Tunze which has a controller out.

 

[rockindacheeks]

they come with a manual controller. the remote control that they unvailed at MACNA is not available yet.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

manual.....i don't know about you but i sure don't have the time to 'manually' adjust it's flow up and down all day everyday, lol

they are great units, but will wait for angle mount before i purchase...

 

[reefman77]

Ive heard some people have trouble with the wave box on a 4' long tank. I realy like the Idea of total water movement with the wavebox. I am able to afford it but I want to make sure its what I want first.

I also would like to see some pics of smaller (relativly) tanks with wavboxes like 75, 90, or 120 gallon. I want to make sure it isnt to big and obtrusive.

 

[reefman77]

bump

 

[TexasPete]

I just orderd a wave box.

 

[benf]

reefman77, no prob using the wavebox on a 4ft tank...i had one on my 120 and got ~1-1.25" wave with it. Only reason i got rid of it was for funds towards the new tank.

 

[todd rose]

VORTECH