Pair of 6060s for a 120?

Snausages01

Snausages01

New member
Well, I've read most if not all of the threads about the 6060s and 120 gallon aquariums, but have seen none with the 6060s in a 120.

I see that the 6000s are recommended with the new multi controller, but the thing is that I really do not have the funds to do that. I am thinking of going with a pair of 6060 running 24/7 along with my return (mag 12) and some MJ 1200s behind the rocks. I will put the 6060s in the rear corners facing the opposite front corners.

How with this do for a purely SPS tank?

I also have a wavemaster that I can put on the MJ 1200s (I have 4 MJs). Should I put two MJs in the rocks (sweeping the bottom of the tank) and two MJs up in the back middle of the tank to help with the alternating flow or should I just leave them out)?

Thanks,
 
I would probably lean toward running the 6060's on timers at 1hr intervals witha 10-15 minute overlap to create a surge. If possible add a Seaswirl to your return. The maxijets will seem non existant compared to the flow of the Stream so I don't think they would have much effect and the 6060 will be destroyed by a wavemaker.
 
Will the on-off cause damage to the pump? I've read about the hour intervals, but even once an hour seems like a lot.
 
Once an hour gives sufficient time for the clutch to retract and the pump to cool and the drive unit should keep a normal life of 18months-2yrs. Then you just have to change this piece, it is the same as changing the impeller on any pump, they wear out over time.
 
Roger - would you say that a one hour interval is the minimum that you'd recommend? Anything less would be pushing it? What is the damage that you'd see if they start / stop too frequently?

Also - what's your suggestion on feeding. Currently, I have all my powerheads on a power strip and turn off the strip while I feed (about 10-15 minutes). Would this damage a (non-controlable) Tunze pump if I do this everyday (once)?

Thanks!
Ron
 
The first thing that happens with rapid on and off is a clicking noise as the clutch mechanism breaks or is worn. Then the magnet continues to turn but does not engage the prop. If this isn't remedied the pump overheats because no water is being drawn through the innards to cool it. It then shuts off when the pump reaches 100C in its core. After turning off and on repeatedly the safety mechanism esentially self destructs and the pump never will work again. The danger is leaving it unattended. It voids the warranty because the damage is cumulative, on average the safety thermostat can take about 1000 off and on cycles. Then the contacts burn up and game over.. The off time is not the issue, you could turn the pump off for 1 minute but when it comes on it needs to run for one hour, this gives time for the pump to cool and the clutch to fully retract.

Frequent on and off has one more drawback, the copper coil in a pump stores a tremendous amount of heat, when the pump is off the inside of the pump that would normally be only .5C over ambient in a Stream heats up to 5C over ambient and this degasses CO2 and causes lime to precipitate fouling the pumps more rapidly. The heat from the coil radiates to the magnet chamber and no cooling flow is present to dissipate this heat.

Turning off to feed is not a significant issue.
 
Roger - I think I must not be understanding your point about 1000 off/on cycles before damaging the safety thermostat. If I'd take your recommendation and turn the pumps off / on once per hour via a regular timer, wouldn't the safety thermostat only last a month or two?

I'm upgrading from a 110 to a 180 and am currently running 4 powerheads and will likely add a 6060 and continue to run another powerhead or two, and eventually get two 6060s.

Thanks!
Ron
 
The safety thermostat is only called upon when the pump overheats- i/e is broken. So, if you don't run it on a wavemaker or do anything to damage the drive unit it is fine. It can even be broken and be fine if the damage is caught and repaired. The on and off cycle of this component is based on heating to over 100C internally and then cooling and doing it again because the pump is broken and is completely independent of turning it off and on.
 
Umm...annoying question,
Is this something to be aware of with the Tunze controllers as well? Or will they not let you set the Streams to cycle in such a way as to cause damage to them?
Nick
 
The Electronic Streams are independent of these problems. First they have no thermostatic cut off, the protection is in the driver and the transformer has it's own impedence and thermostatic cut outs. Second, the electronics will not allow the drive unit to spin backwards so the clutch mechanism is not used.
 
Ahh...okay so if I wanted 2 streams to cycle on/off every 2 minutes via Tunze controller, it wouldnt be a problem?
I'm just wanting to be clear.
Thanks,
Nick
 
No, as long as they are Electronic pumps running on our controller, whatever the controller can do the pumps can handle.
 
Where should I place them in the main tank?

Right now I have them in the back corners facing the opposite front corners. I have my retrn in the middle of the back blowing straight down to the bottom.
 
Not to Hijack the thread or anything, but I am looking at adding a Tunze 6060 to my 75g reef. I have currently (2) Mag Drive 9.5 for returns from the sumnp/fuge. I picked up a SCWD and was going to install that on one of the 9.5's and have the other 9.5 blowing across the back along with adding the tunze. Will this be too much flow for a 75G? I plan to house all types of corals down the road. I do have some fish in this tank also.

ANy thoughts are greatly appreciated on what would be the best way to handle water movement/flow.

Thank you,

Todd
 
Is this the ideal setup for this tank Roger? I have 2 anemones that my wife loves. I have heard some stories that they like to explore the inside of the pumps???

Would a different kit work better possibly? The TS07 kit? If this would work, can we substitute the 7091 controller for the 7095 since it includes the night time photocell?

Just want to do this right the first time. I am sure you can appreciate that.

Thank you for your time,

Todd
 
Sorry, I had missed the part on the anemones, for anemones I like the TF04 and add a filter or extension to that so the intake is shielded and this is absolutely anemone safe. The flow is very good for a 75, and the 1" outlet is a big improvement over conventional pumps.
 
I have not seen anything on that kit. Does it have a controller with it? Who carries this kit? Marine Depot did not have it on there site. Sorry for all the questions.

Just want to be safe and do it correctly first time out. I have made too many impulse buys and wasted a lot of money.

Thanks for the help.

Todd
 
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