Need help with choosing wavemaker pumps/system - Energy Efficient!

[Brent Thomann]

Need input on adding more internal water flow and or wavemakers. Mostly Reef.

I'm just finishing up my 180 gal (72x31x18 not 72x24x24)

I currently have 4 Hydor Flo's spread across the top of the tank attached to my returns with about 235 gph going through each. Inside the tank I would like to add some type of pump on each end of the tank to help with the water current/waves. Maybe put them on some type of timed intervoles gadget?

What should I go with?? I was hoping 2 Tunze 6060's, one on each end of the tank toward the bottom pointing upwards. REALLY like the idea of them being only 11 watts. But don't like this part "designed to run continuously and cannot be used with a controller or wavemaker". Would it be ok to just have them run continuously? Or would it be a 100 times better to have 2 pumps on a timed wavemaker?

What to do?? What do you have running in your tank??

 

[SeanT]

Go for 2, Tunze 6100's.
They can be run on the Tunze multi-controller.
Still, VERY low energy consumption for what they do.

Sean

 

[jeffbrig]

I'd recommend the 6100 kit w/controller as well. If you're really worried about power consumption, maybe the 6000s, but a 180 can easily handle the flow from the bigger ones.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6490831#post6490831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Go for 2, Tunze 6100's.
They can be run on the Tunze multi-controller.
Still, VERY low energy consumption for what they do.

Sean

Thanks for the reply but the 6100's would cost over $600 and run 90 watts. I sure wish I could do the 2 6060's and have my total internal water flow for 22 watts and under $300, doesn't that sound nice!

errh! what to do?

 

[Brad W]

Its closer to $900 with the multicontroller. But keep in mind you will then be pulsing those Tunze's (with the multicontroller) rather than running them flat out all the time so your average watts will be something less than 90. They can pulse between 30 and 100%, for example.

The 6060 is not controllable and has roughly half the outflow of the 6100. I'm sure they are good units too though.

 

[law086]

I've always wanted to hear some facts about the affects of 'wavemakers' vs regular powerheads / stream pumps. It's hard to justify the extra cost when you're not sure it'll make a difference.

Bang for the buck, SEIO pumps are nice. Low energy consumption and cheap to purchase. As you've found Tunze are nice, but cost more. From what I recall, I believe it's safe to cycle the non-controllable Tunze Streams about once an hour. You should double check on that, but it may be an option. Hook both to a regular timer.

Ron

 

[Blootang]

I have a 6100 stream on a single controller and am happy with the unit and the high volume it pushes. The feeding timer is very handy to. I have it switching from approx. 1000 to 3000 gph with a few seconds in between to create a bit of surge. The sand stays cleaner since I added the Tunze and the fish seem to enjoy it to.
http://www.zippyvideos.com/7154383982973446/000_1973/*blootang

 

[ChemE]

DIY 2 MaxiJet 900's into MaxiStreams and put them on a wavemaker:

<17 watts
$50
3,000 gph

 

[Brad W]

How do you get that much flow out of MaxiJet's?

 

[Rurouni Kenshin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6501682#post6501682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChemE
DIY 2 MaxiJet 900's into MaxiStreams and put them on a wavemaker:

<17 watts
$50
3,000 gph

I havent seen anyone prove that the maxi mod puts out 3,000gph. Do you have any info on that?

 

[douglasnj]

I have the Tunze 6000 on a 75g. They cost more, but the low power consumption and high output are well worth the extra bucks.

 

[law086]

I would also like to see proof about the 3000 gph claim.

Ron

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6501967#post6501967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rurouni Kenshin
I havent seen anyone prove that the maxi mod puts out 3,000gph. Do you have any info on that?

Proof is anecdotal at best based on fellow reefers' observations. Regardless the fact remains that the same flow rate is had for vastly less money and comparable power consumption.

 

[law086]

To be fair, you can't really say the proof is anecdotal and the flow is the same

 

[SeanT]

I can't believe this thread has denegrated into comparing Tunze Streams to Maxi Jet 900's.

There is no way without SERIOUS MODIFICATION (involving an outboard motor) that an MJ 900 is putting out 3,000 gph. :lol:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6502388#post6502388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChemE
Proof is anecdotal at best based on fellow reefers' observations. Regardless the fact remains that the same flow rate is had for vastly less money and comparable power consumption.

Please have that reefer post here.

And NO, you do NOT get the same flow rate.

 

[ChemE]

Have you guys not read the many MaxiJet mod threads in the DIY forum in which two marine propellers are mounted on a MJ900? Do you really think that Tunze's are that sophisticated? It is simply a propeller mounted on a shaft.

Given the number of people here on RC that have done the mod and commented that the flow is nearly as good as their Tunze I would not have thought this was such a contentious claim.

 

[dhnguyen]

You can check out this thread for yourself. Believe me when I say that the Maxi-Stream mod will produce A LOT of flow.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=717034


By the way, the Tunze uses this exact same principle of using a propeller to move water instead of an impeller.

I am only using 2 modded MJ400's for my 55g and they create more than enough flow to please my SPS. Imagine what the MJ900 mods would do.

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6502520#post6502520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
I can't believe this thread has denegrated into comparing Tunze Streams to Maxi Jet 900's.

There is no way without SERIOUS MODIFICATION (involving an outboard motor) that an MJ 900 is putting out 3,000 gph. :lol:


Please have that reefer post here.

And NO, you do NOT get the same flow rate.

Well... I can bet you that a modded MJ400 will put out more flow than a SEIO 1100 and those are suppose to be at 1100GPH.

No serious modification involved. Just merely swapping the impeller for a propeller will make THAT much of a difference.

 

[ChemE]

Here is one post in particular that goes to what we are discussing:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6310287#post6310287

His estimate was 1100 gph with a MJ 900 and he failed to use 2 propellers or the agressively pitched propellers discussed several pages later. I stand by my original estimate of 1500 gph from a MJ900. Even if I'm only half right you could still get 3000 gph with 4 and it would still cost peanuts compared to a Tunze Stream and total power consumption would be 38 watts.

 

[dhnguyen]

AND btw... The new Vortech pump from Ice Cap is basically an offshoot from this same mod.

http://www.ecotechmarine.com/

Don't think that because you spent hundreds on your Tunze that no one else can mod an existing pump to make it perform like a Tunze.