Leonardo's Formosa Forest 2

[Leonardo_]

Sorry for the questions Leonardo

Are you going to use TM test kits for nitrate detection and phosphates?

Thanks

Kevin

No problem Kevin! I already use the Nitrate teskit form Tropic Marin with good results. I don't measure Phosphates at the moment. I would rather use a photometer for that.

Please show us how to mod the shrouds.

Thanks

Gary

+1 on how to mod shrouds and will it work on old 6000's?
corey

Gary, Corey; the modification can be used for all Turbelle Stream pump models. I will do a write up+photo's soon.

Will algae build up on the inside of a clear overflow? Won't that be tough to keep clean?

Yes, it is a bit of work to clean the whole tank with a razor blade every week but I'm used to it because I've done that for all of my tanks and the final result is well worth the work

Leo - Great stuff! How long has your store had the Apogons? Are they doing well?

-Dave

Thanks Dave. I've decided to put the Apogon on hold. They will be ordered and quarantined for a few weeks before I actually get them.
I'm going to China in the end of May for a month and decided to purchase the livestock when I'm back to make the tank maintenance a bit easier when I'm not home.

Leonardo

 

[DFason]

Leo - Sounds like a plan. I have been looking into Aioliops megastigma. Trying 15-20 of them. Small schooling gobies. I am not sure if you can get those over there but I hope to have some soon. I will have to QT them for a bit because I heard they are hard to feed at first.

On a side note, can you shoot me a PM with the template you used for your blog?

-Dave

 

[Leonardo_]

I never seen them here locally, but they certainly look interesting. The QT looks like a good idea. Small fish don't have a lot of reserves and die fast if they don't start to eat on time.

Leonardo

 

[v1...rotate]

Wow!!! I like all the thought you are putting in for the aqua-scape. Very detailed!!

 

[ziyaadb]

great stuff man, love the look of the tank.

 

[biecacka]

thanks man!! look forward to seeing this
corey

 

[damer]

Gday Leonardo, new tank is starting tolook great.

i am planning a similair size 48x48x???? and was just wondering why you went with the size you did.

Damien

 

[pookstreet]

Thanks Brian. I will use three Tunze Stream 6101 and one 6201. I will mod the shrouds to increase the flow by 40% and make the flow wider, with more undertow (like Vortecs)

Hi Leo, could you explain or point to where this has been been? I wonder if the same could be performed on the 6105 and 6205. I have 2 of each now and wanted to possibly add one more of each for additional flow. But if I could save some money, I won't cry about it Plus, it won't look so cluttered with 6 Tunzes in the tank.

 

[Dejavu]

Hi Leo, could you explain or point to where this has been been? I wonder if the same could be performed on the 6105 and 6205. I have 2 of each now and wanted to possibly add one more of each for additional flow. But if I could save some money, I won't cry about it Plus, it won't look so cluttered with 6 Tunzes in the tank.

Kenny, I would cut the shrouds of the new tunzes IE 6105 or 6205. I read that tunze will not warranty any of the newer models if modded. Might be worth it to call Roger before you do.

 

[Leonardo_]

Gday Leonardo, new tank is starting tolook great.

i am planning a similair size 48x48x???? and was just wondering why you went with the size you did.

Damien

The measurements (43" x 43" x 26") are chosen according to the golden ratio:

a = 65 cm
b = a*1.618 = 105,17 cm (rounded to 110 cm)

For the with and depth of your tank (48") the height has to be 29" if you want to use the golden ratio. But a 29" high tank is not very practical

Hi Leo, could you explain or point to where this has been been? I wonder if the same could be performed on the 6105 and 6205. I have 2 of each now and wanted to possibly add one more of each for additional flow. But if I could save some money, I won't cry about it Plus, it won't look so cluttered with 6 Tunzes in the tank.

Kenny, I still own the old (bulky) Tunze's, and the shrouds are a bit easier to modify. I was thinking of cutting out half of the strainers, gaining some flow.
Next to that I cut out the original 50 mm shroud and replace it with a 70 mm PVC shroud, creating a much wider flow with much more undertow. I already experimented a bit with an old shroud I had lying around, and noticed a much wider flow with heavy undertow, but it reaches a lot less far.
I'll have some pictures soon when I have the PVC parts, that should make it a bit more clear.
I'm not sure if this would be a good modification for a tank with your length, because you reduce the reach of the flow, while increasing the width.
The overall volume increases because of the cut strainers.

Kenny, I would cut the shrouds of the new tunzes IE 6105 or 6205. I read that tunze will not warranty any of the newer models if modded. Might be worth it to call Roger before you do.

That sound like a good idea for sure because my pumps are already off warranty and it would be a shame to lose it because of a simple mod

Leonardo

 

[pookstreet]

Thanks Leo. I've modded the 6025 in the past. Just trying to find out if it's any different. I would think that since the 6105/6203 has strainers on the front and back, I would need to cut both for it to work. I know that the older styles only has the strainer on the shroud.

 

[Leonardo_]

You're right, many did this mod in the past, but the interesting part for me was the increased undertow and very wide flow when increasing the diameter of the shoud itself, instead of just cutting it off.
I modded some nano-streams in the past, they have similar shrouds as the new 6105 and 6205 series. You can cut out some strainers on the front and back, and add some extra holes in the bottom for more water intake. Hope to upgrade to some of those in the near future. How do you like them compared to the old style streams?

Leonardo

 

[DanW]

Leonardo, have you started your aquascaping yet? I looked through your website and watched the Golden Rule video and am intrigued on how you will apply the principle. Would love to gain an understanding of your thought process as you aquascape.

 

[mpoletti]

You're right, many did this mod in the past, but the interesting part for me was the increased undertow and very wide flow when increasing the diameter of the shoud itself, instead of just cutting it off.
I modded some nano-streams in the past, they have similar shrouds as the new 6105 and 6205 series. You can cut out some strainers on the front and back, and add some extra holes in the bottom for more water intake. Hope to upgrade to some of those in the near future. How do you like them compared to the old style streams?

Leonardo

I like them Leo and their versatility, but they aren't silent like the old block style

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Following along.

 

[Leonardo_]

Leonardo, have you started your aquascaping yet? I looked through your website and watched the Golden Rule video and am intrigued on how you will apply the principle. Would love to gain an understanding of your thought process as you aquascape.

Dan, I'm still in the middle of filling my tank with RO water. In winter, when the water is relatively cold, this unit gives me 5 Gallon an hour with a booster pump. Next to that the unit is in the basement and the tank on the first floor... All together it takes a while to fill the tank
I'll be done after the weekend. My rock is ready for the tank, and I can start the aquascape process. That can take a while, but of course I´ll keep you informed about the process (with photo's etc.)

I like them Leo and their versatility, but they aren't silent like the old block style

Hmm, that's bad news. The quality of the Nano streams really disappointed me, but I heard the new bigger streams are much better. (despite their sound apparently...)

Following along.

Nice to have you here Ricky

Leonardo

 

[WDLV]

Not getting the "golden rule" concept. Maybe it's time for me to read up. Is it what feng schwei (spelling?) is based around?

 

[pookstreet]

You're right, many did this mod in the past, but the interesting part for me was the increased undertow and very wide flow when increasing the diameter of the shoud itself, instead of just cutting it off.
I modded some nano-streams in the past, they have similar shrouds as the new 6105 and 6205 series. You can cut out some strainers on the front and back, and add some extra holes in the bottom for more water intake. Hope to upgrade to some of those in the near future. How do you like them compared to the old style streams?

Leonardo

Leo, I've been told that the shrouds are interchangeable on the older streams. Simply putting the 6200 shroud on the 6100 will give you additional flow without cutting anything. Of course, the shrouds aren't cheap.

As far as the new streams, I personally love them. As Mark pointed out, they are versatile. You can point them in any direction you like. In terms of noise, I don't notice b/c I have a wide open system so there is noise from all the other equipment.

 

[Dejavu]

I like them Leo and their versatility, but they aren't silent like the old block style

I agree, mine do make a little noise when the are at 100%, not much, but more than the old style :sad2:.

 

[mpoletti]

I agree, mine do make a little noise when the are at 100%, not much, but more than the old style :sad2:.

Yep, you can hear them when they ramp from 100% down to a lower setting. I've even tried the different impellars and voltage amps per Tunze. Next, I guess Tunze will be reworking their magnets. Its not everyone of them, but they are aware of it. I've also heard that the European ones might not have the same issue