Stream Efficiency

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Roger:

My quick analysis of the Streams is that the smaller models (6080) are more efficient on a watt per gal/h basis and on a dollar per gal/h basis than the larger model (6100).

Is that your understanding?

So on a large tank (say, 500 gal), I'd be better off with 4 smaller ones than 2 larger ones?

TIA

 

[rvitko]

Hi Randy,

Their is a substantial difference in those two models. Models 6080 and 6060 are standard synchronous pumps. They function at 60Hz 3600rpm- synchronous with line cycles. They cannot be controlled or used on wave makers. Models 6000 and 6100 are electronic, a special computer system inline controls the rotational frequency of these pumps enabling speed control and sophisticated wave making surge and pulse features. Some electricity is lost to transformers and computers as both pumps run on low voltage, 12v and 19V respectively.

The 6060 for the US market uses 14W
The 6080 for the US market uses 22W
The 6000 for the US market uses 15W
The 6100 for the US market uses 45W

By this comparison of US models the 6000 is the most effective, in increasing the power of the pump on low voltage electronic models, larger transformers and resistance in the computer circuitry costs us about 10W of power. I still feel for large aquariums the best choice is 2 6100 pumps both for controllability and energy efficiency though the smaller pumps and especially the synchronous pumps give better efficiency figures.

You will notice US model synchronous pumps use a little more power that 230V models. The coils have to be more robust and have greater resistance, this is true for most brands that the 230V model is more efficient. An additional variable is that the figures are quoted at 115V. In Austin we normally run 124V and a 6080 off straight line voltage uses 24W, however if I compensate the voltage entering the RMS Power Analyzer with a Variable Transformer to 115V the W consumption is correct as stated above.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

They cannot be controlled or used on wave makers.

Is there any problem with using them in on/off controllers on say, a 15 minute cycle, with something like a Tsunami?

Same for the 6100?

 

[rvitko]

6100 and 6000 have 5pin din ports on their little computers that allow connection to a Tunze controller. The Tunze controllers are able to program speed and acceleration and decelration schedules but don't use harsh off and on, even in tide mode where pumps do turn off a true soft start is possible and despite other manufacturers claims this is not possible using synchronous pumps. Outside of this the only possible control is with a standard timer and on and off intervals of 1hr no more than 24 cycles in a day. The problem is that to overcome the physical problem of a propeller pulling the magnet out of the well we had to side brace the magnets with a centrifugal clutch- the gears are ruined when they have to engage all the time to start and stop.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The problem is that to overcome the physical problem of a propeller pulling the magnet out of the well we had to side brace the magnets with a centrifugal clutch- the gears are ruined when they have to engage all the time to start and stop.

So none of the Streams are suitable for hard on/off control?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

None of the Stream pumps or any Tunze pump should be hard started.

 

[MalHavoc]

Randy, if you're looking at doing wavemaker-type things, you're better off just getting a single or multi-controller, and using the controllable turbelles. They are much more flexible than a wavemaker which just turns a powerhead on and off. The controllers can adjust the speed of the turbelle and all sorts of other cool things.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, Jason. I was just wondering if I could make use of the Tsunami that I already have. FWIW, not much on my 90 would be useful on a 500.

 

[Mako]

Make a good sump though.

 

[Flatlander]

Randy, I fixed my Tsunami, I sold it.

For the 500g, Rodgers suggestion of a pair of 6100 pumps and the controller would be the way to go. It would give you a pulsed current, with a top end of around 3100gph per pump.

I run a pair of 6080 pumps in my 225. I went that way, as the pair cost the same as one 6100 & controller. With them positioned on each end, pushing water towards the center, I get lots of chaotic current. Much more so than with any closed loops I ever run or my powerheads & wavemakers.

 

[blgreef]

also run the tunze streams with the controler great system the only thing it lacks is a true random mode so you could cycle all the pumps in a random mode with power/ duration and on off cycles all mixed, so no set patern.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How loud are the streams compared to standard powerheads?

 

[Mako]

They are not loud at all Randy... at least the two 6100's I use are not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Can you hear them at all?

My wife has very sensitive ears.

 

[Mako]

I can't hear them at all except when that darn "clean me alarm" goes off. Scared the crap outta me the first time it went off. That's loud!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Huh? They tell you when you need to clean them?

Or does all your equipment talk to you. :lol:

 

[moonpod]

I gotta agree w/Mako-Chuck. The streams have some sort of increased resistance sensor and make a SCREECH when they need to be cleaned. Also scared the heck out of my family when it went off. My wife thought my tank was about to have the mother of all flood episodes or something....

Streams are pretty much silent. If you listen REAL hard you can almost hear the hum....

Chuck

 

[SPC]

Huh? They tell you when you need to clean them?

Or does all your equipment talk to you. :lol:

My alarm has only gone off upon re-start (had calcium build up that I let go too far).

As far as noise goes, my 6110 only has a small hum that I can only hear when the return pump is off, and even then it is barely noticeable.
Steve

 

[Mako]

Or does all your equipment talk to you. :lol:

Only when I am off the meds.

 

[Flatlander]

Randy, I cant hear any noise from my 6080 pumps, unless it leans against the overflow glass, the nyou get a bit of a rattle the same as a ph would. Other than that, they are silent.

But I,m half deaf anyways. And I dont have alarms, bells or whistles on mine.