Pump recommendation

[sfsuphysics]

For two tanks really.. one is a future project tank so I can wait on that

I'm basically asking here because I don't have a lot of experience with Tunze pumps, I have a couple of 6100s with a controller, but they've changed quite a bit over the years. I have experience with Vortech pumps, but I'm really getting tired of the money pit of maintenance parts I seem to always need to buy for these.


First tank, ~ 80g "not quite cube" 32" long x 24" x 24" currently using a Vortech MP40, dialed back significantly, only on constant flow mode so I don't need control of the pump. I'm leaning between a 6025 and a 6045, I know Tunze pumps push water farther with more velocity, and I'm thinking having one pump in a back corner perhaps banking off the front glass could be useful. I know the 6045 can be "dialed down" but what level of adjustment is it? Like old pumps where you simply make the output/input smaller? Specs show different power output, so I'm wonder if it goes beyond that. Also the magnets are rated for 3/8" how tightly does it hold to 3/8th? The glass is actually more than 3/8th but not quite 1/2 when I put a tape measure up to it.


2nd tank- 6 foot by 5 foot tank. I haven't figured out rocks and what not, but is a peninsula style of tank, so that means pumps only on the back wall, which is a hair over 3/4" thick. I'm thinking of mixing and matching pumps, but I'd like at least one decent one that will push water the entire length length of the tank. The 6205 and 6305 pumps seem to have disappeared, and I'm not quite sure about number systems of newer pumps. I might not need to control it either 6125 would be the beefiest non-controllable pump? , I'll most likely be recycling some of my vortech pumps as well, but no way they're pushing water that far, and I'm not going to try to get a standing wave. And even the smallest of Master Stream pumps is probably out of my price range

Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[rvitko]

Hi Mike,

For the 80G, my advise would be a single 6095, the 6025 would be a bit anemic, it is better suited to a 29-45 gallon tank. The 6045 is really capped at about 60 from my experience, the 6095 is controllable and has a much wider flow pattern which is better suited to the tanks footprint. 3/8" is really the limit. The extension magnet (replacement outside half) 6025.501 would get you comfortably past 1/2". The 6095 will work on a bit over 1/2" out of the box. The 6045 adjustment is like a trombone, one pipe slides inside another reducing the intake area for the propeller, it clicks in roughly 250 gallon increments so it is not an infinte adjustment, more like 450, 700, 950, 1200 in steps.

What is the volume of the bigger tank and the glass thickness, 6255 is the biggest non master stream pump and might be the best suited, it will be difficult to generate a wave though on a tank of this size and if possible I would rethink all pumps on one side and try to hide one on the otherside with a Stream Rock for example. 6125 won't be able to produce a wave, any of the non controllable pumps at most can be turned off and on every 15 minutes and they will chatter on every start up. The 6125 is the biggest non controllable but the flow only covers about 5ft by 3ft. The 6255 is much more powerful, about 7ft by 3.5ft.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into the 6095, I think the glass size is 7/16" so literally a 1/16th more than 3/8ths

The bigger tank volume is 370gallons, and the thickness of the acrylic along the back wall is 7/8" I believe, any pump solution I go with is going to be problematic due to the acrylic thickness I know.

I'm not worried about a wave, my idea wasn't to use just one pump but a combo of pumps (along with a closed loop perhaps) I was thinking of maybe doing something like Steve Weast (Oregon Reef) did where he made a canyon and had a flow going through it. Probably want 5 feet or more of water push... 6125 might be at the edge of it according to what you're saying, I didn't realize the 6255 could push that far it looks like it has a wider mouth and I would think that would mean less pressure.

Either way, I appreciate the time that you've given me

 

[rvitko]

The 6255's will be the best choice for the big tank, they work on 1" out of the box.