Tunze or Ecotech for Shallow Reef

[SteveNMegz]

Hey guys,

We're setting up a shallow 30x30x12 reef mostly sps dominate. Original thoughts were to get 2 vortex mp10w's but interested in hearing thoughts on any tunze products. It looks like the nano tune models are less expensive so maybe we would get an apex to control them if we go that route.

Things were most interested in would be what models you think would work best for this tank, controllability with apex, from my understanding you can't increase or decrease flow on most of the standard ones?, and would those ones that direct flow above the rock work or corals work in a shallow reef or maybe it's a bad idea.

Open to any and all comments.

Thanks!

 

[SteveNMegz]

Should probably menton that we want to keep the powereads on the back wall as well since it will be viewable from 3 sides

 

[SnowManSnow]

I am a fan of the Ecotech personally. Especially the quiet drive pumps. That being said the tunze will last longer wo maintenance (normally) but take up more space / be more visible


So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[Bpb]

Tunze fanboy here. They aren't as attractive as ecotech but they cost less, last forever, and move more water based on comparable stats


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[Bman562]

I've only used Ecotech, no experience with Tunze... However, i hate having wires or items that do not need to be in the tank itself so i went with ecotech. Looks and works great.

 

[tom obrecht]

Tunze here. Used the older vortecs and although they are cleaner looking in the tank are IME more finicky. Tunze is releasing the "new" powerhead line at Interzoo later this month. Might be worth waiting to see what they have.

 

[solitude127]

Chevy or Ford? I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both are solid choices. I have both in my DT and really like both. The QD make a world of difference for the noise, it's so much quieter.

 

[cody6766]

I'm not sure Vortechs are the answer here, due to the depth of your tank. I'd be worried that the strong undertow of the Vortechs would pull sand up from the bottom. I've never used Tunze pumps, but I have used Koralias and they could be placed closer to the bottom of the tank w/o disturbing the sand.

The good thing is, you're considering top notch gear on either side. I'm not sure if the Vortechs will cause issues, but I think they're more likely to than the Tunzes. It's at least something to look into.

 

[Bpb]

My tunzes have WAY stronger undertow than the Vortech did FYI. Water hits the other side of the tank and races across along the sand just about as fast as it exits the pump at the top. On my 4 foot tank, with the wide flow mouth on my 6105, dirty as can be with coraline, if I turn it up past 60% the sand at the opposite end gets cleared out down to the glass. Vortechs have choppier flow that is more random and turbulent. The tunzes are more of a strong jet stream


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[africangrey]

Hope OP's tank doesn't have any sand, as this is what I dealing with on one of the MP40's on a 20" tall tank. strangely this only happens on 1 or the 2 I have. and both pumps are same power and high.

I'm not sure Vortechs are the answer here, due to the depth of your tank. I'd be worried that the strong undertow of the Vortechs would pull sand up from the bottom. I've never used Tunze pumps, but I have used Koralias and they could be placed closer to the bottom of the tank w/o disturbing the sand.

The good thing is, you're considering top notch gear on either side. I'm not sure if the Vortechs will cause issues, but I think they're more likely to than the Tunzes. It's at least something to look into.

 

[SteveNMegz]

Thanks for all the input guys. Seems like the concern us is the vortechs have a wider gentler flow while the unseen is more jet like and direct. I think I'm going to try a single mp10 since we won't have any sps in there for a few months anyway and I can always purchase another or switch to tunze if the flow patterns are to wide

 

[ReefCowboy]

Thanks for all the input guys. Seems like the concern us is the vortechs have a wider gentler flow while the unseen is more jet like and direct. I think I'm going to try a single mp10 since we won't have any sps in there for a few months anyway and I can always purchase another or switch to tunze if the flow patterns are to wide

I would wait for interzoo coming soon. There are new Tunze pumps being anounced....also i woukd not get an MP10... Get an MP40 and hse it at lower %. You will get wider flow, and if you ever uograde, you wint run the risk of the Mp10 not holding itself on thicker glass...

 

[SteveNMegz]

That sounds good. Especially since I already have a mp40 laying around

 

[almiller9]

Even tho it is shallow I would still choose Vortech. I used one on a shallow frag tank and worked great.

 

[dkeller_nc]

If you choose the Tunze (specifically the NanoStream 6055), Bulk Reef Supply has it onsale at 15% off for this weekend only for Reef Central Group Buyers.

Note that if you want to do this, you must sign up ahead of time (by Thursday at midnight), then buy what you want on Saturday. Hard to know, but I expect they will sell out of these, they're very popular, and 15% off plus bonus points is a good deal.

Here's the link.

I have a couple of these, and also 4 Vortech MP10s. The Vortechs are nice if you want the ultimate in low-profile in the tank, and don't care about aiming the pumps. The 6055s are considerably less money, and pump a massive amount of water, at the cost of mounting a "black baseball" in the tank.

 

[mradonis]

I just switched from Tunes to the Echotechs. I loved my Tunzes the were beasts and very quiet.

I had switched to the MP40s, quiet drive and I have to say they move just as much water if not more and are super quiet. Best of all they look awesome.

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