Closed loop vs. Tunze streams

[KafudaFish]

I posted this in the zoa forum but no one has responded yet. I am trying to decide on a CL with a sequence dart with 4 - 6 openings or a pair of streams or the seio pumps for my water movement in my tank. It is a 95 gal 48x 24 x 18 btw.
The main advantage to the streams it seems is energy consumption but I would want to hide them if possible.
Any comments please? Which would work better or is there a better alternative?
Thanks

 

[philagothos]

Have you considered using a couple of modded Maxi-Jets? They are comparable to the Tunze 6060s and much cheaper. They are also pretty easy on the electricity and you can position them anywhere you want. The modded maxi-jets are covered here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7581795#post7581795

With the Tunze powerheads you can always get the deco rocks to hide them. This same discussion has been ongoing in CIMA (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=861386).

Good luck with whichever route you chose.

-Kevin

 

[fishdoc11]

I vote for a CL but that's mainly because IMO powerheads are ugly and I hate to clean them
I have a GenX pcx 40 with 2 penductors on my 90 and by my rough estimate it produces around 4000 gph. That and the return are all that is needed for flow and the tank is predominately sps. If you wanted to make it more random you could use a smaller pump and a squid or OM squirt.

FWIW, Chris

 

[KafudaFish]

Kevin,
Thanks. I had seen this thread a while back and had forgotten about it. I would rather spend $60 on 2 or 3 powerheads and the parts than $350 on the Tunze. Everyone says they are great products but my eyes always go to the equipment. I realize they still would with the MJ but maybe I could hide them behind rock work or something.
Everytime I think I have it all figured out something else pops up.

 

[KafudaFish]

Chris,
Thanks for your imput. I really do not want equipment in the tank. That is why I am leaning towards the CL because that was my original choice. I like the idea of energy efficiency but I think I will still be around 5 - 700 watts when I am finished even with a CL pump instead of the streams.
I would have 2 of the outpipes hitting the sides to deflect the flow and maybe hitting 2 more coming off the back wall. I was going to do a manifold but am concerned about it blocking some of the light.

 

[cee]

Why not do both? By the time you get a quality pump, plumb it with union ball valves, add penductors, etc., you're going to have over $200 invested with no random flow. Plus, the electricity you quote to run those pump(s) is going to run you about $25-$30 a month. The penductors aren't exactly small either. But it's all a matter of personal choice...

Dave

 

[bkv1997]

This isn't the best picture but you can get an idea of what the tunze look like in the rocks.

I also have a Squid in the overflow that is attached to black tubing that travels down the upper side of the tank so that the return alternates from side to side in the tank. This was more of a test to see how the $40 dollar gadget would do and I have been very impressed.

 

[fishdoc11]

How do you clean the Tunzes once they are in your rockwork?

 

[bkv1997]

I haven't had to address that yet.. the new tank hasn't been setup long, but I was told you can place your hand over the opening and turn them to 100%.

Also I anticipated that to an extent so The tunze rocks don't hold up any supporting structures, so they can easily be lifted up to remove the pump and clean the grill.

However if i had to completely remove the entire pump from the system that would be a pain.

Brandon

 

[KafudaFish]

Dave thanks and I still have your knife. The upfront costs for either are about the same but the big difference comes in the mail each month.
Brandon thank you too.
I wonder if I could put the streams behind my liverock without the rock covers so I could pull them out to clean? I really like the idea of random flow. I still have not ordered either item because I have been very busy.
Yeah the plumbing would add cost but I still have to buy a ball valve to close off the CL. And I can always add a CL pump IF I ever did SPS (which my wife likes and it is always a good thing).