Reducing the power of the 6000's

[Thunderstruck]

I have 4 Tunze 6000's with the multicontroller in my 180 tank. In the tank I have 3 inches of reef grade sand for the substrate. Even on the lowest settings on my controller (30%) it is still kicking up sand, and after 4 days, I have visiable glass on the bottom of the tank. Is their anyway to reduce the power of the 6000's further than 30%? Or is their a screen or something I can put inside the streams to lower the output? Thanks in advance for any help...

 

[sufunk]

Is it a new or established sandbed?

I only have 2 6000's on my 180 and after 10 days they are still kicking up sand and have made about a football sized bare spot in the front. No matter how i position them, they still are kicking it up. I was told my sand had to settle and get established more by some local reefers so hopefully it will settle down but its getting ANNOYING! Hopefully, someone with some experience will chime in and help out.

For your original question, i believe there is a a way to reduce the power on the side of the driver. Theres a little screw or something in the side to turn the power down. Haven't resorted to that myself yet.

 

[Thunderstruck]

I mixed new sand with established sand. I have seen the manual power, and do have mine all the way cranked up. I was not sure if moving it would make any difference because of the controller. Anyone know?

 

[rvitko]

When using a controller the power on the driver needs to be 100%, if you lower it, it could break the pump and will cause alarming and erratic operation. You could try a smaller prop from a 6060 or 6080 or you could change to the 6200 outlets which would widen the flow and reduce the force. Really though I think you just need to give it some time and try different pump positions.

 

[Thunderstruck]

I have been moving it arround and all for a few months now. I think the sand might be a little fine for the force perhaps? Where could I get the propellers and the 6200 outlets? Also, do they make a screen insert or something like that to diffuse the flow futher? Any help would be apprecited. Can't have it keep digging up my color tube anem.

 

[rvitko]

You could order them on tunze.com, my advice is the 6060.12 prop, it is the cheapest solution and the reduction is dramatic, I would gues the top flow to be about 1400gph.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Thank you so much for your help! Should I get the 6200 cover as well?

 

[ToddG]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I had the same problem you are having. As Roger said, you have to keep fine tuning placement.

I have got my issues almost solved. I have one pushing from the back left corner to the center and the other 6000 from the front right corner to the back of the aquarium in the center.

The front mounted stream doesnt look the greatest as it obstructs some of the view. But it doesnt cause a sand storm.

But I like Rogers idea of different props so I will be ordering 2 of those as well. Just in case.




On a side not, it seems like the 6000 I just bought new has more flow than the other 6000 I have which was new in box but about 1.5 years old. It is the brown model instead of black. The older one didnt cause problems hitting the front of the aquarium but the new one did. Maybe more agressive prop design or more voltage with the .27 drivers instead of the 26...?

 

[rvitko]

There could be some difference between the 7240.26 and 7240.27 but I would more likely think that algae and calcium build up has reduced the flow on an older pump. If the intake has a lot of coralline growth this definitely has an effect.

 

[ToddG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9314791#post9314791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
There could be some difference between the 7240.26 and 7240.27 but I would more likely think that algae and calcium build up has reduced the flow on an older pump. If the intake has a lot of coralline growth this definitely has an effect.

The older 6000 I mentioned was never used. It was new in the box. I actually unpacked it. The guy I bought it from had purchased it for a project but never used it.

 

[ToddG]

I ordered the 6200 covers for my 6000's. I put them on tonight. They work great. It really spread the flow out which is a good thing.

I also ordered the different props but I havent installed them yet. The covers were expensive but may be the solution for me.

Just thought I would share.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Def let me know how you make out if you can. I was torn between ordering new covers and props like you, or maybe just getting some nano streams 6055's when they come in. My 6000's are brand new, so would like to do somethign with them if possible...

 

[ToddG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9373336#post9373336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thunderstruck
Def let me know how you make out if you can. I was torn between ordering new covers and props like you, or maybe just getting some nano streams 6055's when they come in. My 6000's are brand new, so would like to do somethign with them if possible...

I would get the covers. For a tank of any size the wide flow will benefit more of its inhabitants.

But it isnt the cheapest upgrade. The props are fairly cheap. the covers are about $50 each. I may switch back to the stock covers and new props. Just to see what it does. But I think the covers are where I will end up.

I will post back when I try the other combo.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Hey Todd, I was wondering if you tried the props only yet? I am serouisally thinking of getting the 6055's when they come out, but if the new props does the trick, I might go with that since I already have 4 of the 6000's. I would be very interested to see how the 6000 with the wide covers and the larger props compare to the 6055 power wise. I don't know about other people, but it drives me niuts when the sand shifts into piles