Tunze 6060 and Red Sea WaveMaster Pro

[maitai123]

Hello,

I recently brought 2 of the 6060s for my 300 gallon reef tank. I thought I would be ok with this model as my tank is 9 feet long. Much to my surprise these pumps are incredibly strong, so much so, I think they are hurting my Xenias, which are at the top of the reef, 7 feet away from the PH. Even with indirect flow, they still whip around like an underwater hurricane.

I know the specs say that you cannot use a wave maker with these pumps. I thought I would ask anyway in the hopes that the wave maker "rule" is a general one.

I actually own a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro device that I am not using. This device has a "soft" start feature. If I use the calmest setting possible, and enable the "nightmode feature" , which shuts the pumps down for 8 hours, am I still risking distroying the pumps.

For now I have the Tunze on manual timers. They go on and off 5 times per day, and run for 2 hour durations. I shut them off from 6:00pm to 08:00am to allow the corals and fish to "rest".

Should I continue with the manual timers, or attempt the Red Sea Wave Master. I think I know the answer (ie. do not use the Wave Maker), but wanted to ask just in case, as using the wave maker would be ideal.

Thanks for your impending recommendation.

 

[rvitko]

The drive units will last from 1-3 months and the overall life of the pump will be much shorter, it voids the warranty for this reason.

 

[maitai123]

Ok thanks Roger.

Ok thanks Roger.

Ok, well at least I know I cannot use the wave maker for sure.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[BrianPlankis]

Roger,

I also have a 6060 and am considering putting it one of the Corallife power centers that has the on/off timer (no soft start feature, simply on/off)

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_controllers_coralife_power_center_day_night_wavemaker_timer.asp?

Do you think this will be OK, or not a good idea?

Brian

 

[rvitko]

As long as there is one hour between on and off it is OK. They can be turned off for a short as a minute but need a one hour run time after start up.

 

[NaClFinatic]

Too strong for 300gal?? Gee, I was planning to use two of them in my 90gal!! Guess I had better wait for the nano streams...

 

[lemadl]

NaClFinatic,

Do yourselve a favor, save your money. You will strip you fish of their scales if you try and run 2 in a 90gal. I also have a 95 wave tank and 1 was plenty.

 

[Aquatic Hamster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8750581#post8750581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
As long as there is one hour between on and off it is OK. They can be turned off for a short as a minute but need a one hour run time after start up.

I know this thread is a little old but I would like to clarify on this comment. I use an aqua controller and it will allow me to turn pumps off and on in a duration of my choosing. The duration I was planning was 3 hours on, 3 hours off, repeat. Will it be damaging to use a Tunze (standard or nano) in this implemetation? I'm currently using a modified MJ, but apparently my DIY skills are limited and there are some breakdowns. I would like to get a pump like a Tunze that I can put in and not have to worry about for a long time. Thx.

 

[rvitko]

That would be fine.

 

[Aquatic Hamster]

That is very good news. Would this use shorten the life span at all? And I'm curious, what is the science behind the need for them to run at least an hour? Thx.

 

[rvitko]

The 6060 has a clutch/brake type system to ensure it spins the right way. On start up they usually spin back, lock up and then correct and go the right way. If you pulse them very fast, like every few seconds, you can completely lock them up and snap the brakes or overheat the pump. If you pulse them faster then every hour the brake shoes will fail in a short period of time, just like stepping on the brakes in your car all the time. once an hour gives them a reasonable life and sufficient run time to fully retract and cool the pump.