Is Tunze for my 120?

[Avi]

I have a 120 with mostly soft coral and LSP and I'm interested in increasing the flow...Right now I have 600 gph coming from each of the overflows...and the following:

Seio 640
Seio 820
MJ 1200 with Hydor

But, there's clutter from those powerheads on the sides of the tank and also it isn't quite enough flow and there are some dead spots.

Here are my mounting limitations because of the glass on top of the tank that I need because of jumpers:

1. The lip around the top of the (Oceanic) tank is one inch wide
2. There's 1.25 inch clearance between that 1 inch lip and the
glass across the back of the tank
3. 8 inches of space between the side glass and the
overflows on each side of the back of the tank

I'd really appreciate some advice on which Tunzes would fit this configuration and give me:

1. More flow coverage (including the back of the rock, which is
always an issue.)
2. Flow that's more effective across the rock, coral, etc.
3. Flow that won't blast everything in the tank
4. Flow that can be turned off when feeding the fish and coral
5. The ability to create some kind of effective wave motion
which, from using the Hydor thingee, I can see is very beneficial
to the coral

Sorry for the lengthy post but I want to get this right so that I do it once with the least potential for hassles after the expenditure. So, can you tell me which Tunze models the tank would best be served by, along with any additional Tunze items that would fit the configuration and accomplish (at least) most of the things I mentioned?

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve posted two lousy photos I took just after returning from a vacation the other day so you can better see the configuration:

THANKS

 

[rvitko]

Well, I think given your inhabitants the ideal would be 2 7400/2 and a 7095 multicontroller but I don't know that theis will reduce the clutter so much. Their will be a little less but still some. You could use the magnet holders to solve your mounting problems. Otherwise it might be possible to use a 6000 Stream and a 7091 controller but I fear you might not get the wave motion and turbulence you desire because one pump would have it's limitations and the flow might be a bit strong for some LPS and softies nearest the pump.

 

[Avi]

Thanks for your quick reply...You're obviously right about the clutter though two is still be better than three. Anyway, clutter is something that, to some extent, can't be avoided because any alternatives would entail some clutter as well, whether it's a closed loop, other circulation devices, etc.

Am I correct in my understanding from what you said that the magnetic holders would enable me to place the 7400/2's on the back of the side glass of the tank, which would be the optimal place to mount them? By the way, do the magnetic holders enable these to be rotated so I could have the waterflow go diagonally from the back side corners toward the center front of the tank?

One more question...From the photos I just looked at, they appear to have the same kind of water outlet as traditional powerheads and so would create a direct (and narrow) stream of flow, which isn't what I would think would be best. Is that what they do, or is the waterflow they create broader...something more like the Seios that I have going on the tank now?

 

[rvitko]

The 7400/2 have a traditional power head type outlet that swivels a full 360 degrees so you can pretty much aim them anywhere and then they have an outlet cone that enables you to angle them up or down. A standard powerhead has a 1/2" outlet, this has a 1" outlet so it will be somewhere in between. Further with the controller the pump pulses and the slow pulse and fast pulse colliding further broadens and diffuses the flow so they tend to work very well. I have used these pretty much exclusively up until this year when I used my first Stream. Really for any non SPS application I think they are better as you get more quiet zones and some of your LPS will not extend if they get too much flow.

 

[Timbo]

why not use the air cooled pumps? They're somewhat controllable aren't they? Then there'd be no clutter in the tank.

 

[rvitko]

That's true, they do make more noise though and repair isn't always DIY. The submersed pumps have a fairly simple impeller, the air cooled ones have bearings and screws and are basically real motors that have to be rebuilt and a fair amount of technical ability is required.