Tunze recommendation ??

[anthem]

Hey Roger, I remember you recommending that I look at the streams about 8 or so months ago. Anyhow, my setup is 10ft long, 4 ft deep tank. ANyhow, I currently have 4 tunze 7400's pumping (two facing each other on each end) on a quad controller doing a small alternation.

Anyhow, would getting a stream and placing one of those on each side be better than the current setup that I have ? Would it result in more even flow rather than two jets pushing 1000gph at each other from two point sources ?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

The Streams should do an excellent job in an aquarium of this size. You may wish to keep the 7400s and ad the Streams to get high current in some areas. The Streams will produce a broad diffuse flow. I was told that in France a shop installed a TS24 kit on a 3m by 1m by 1m aquarium and has had excellent results, this was the first install in Europe using these pumps. This is of comparable size and the Streams are the only pumps in use. If you wish to use only Streams, you can convert your 7400's to Stream pumps provided the production stamp embossed on the top cover is x 2 2 or greater. The code is read series usually 0-9, quarter and year. Anything made after this can be reliably converted for $65

 

[anthem]

Thanks Roger. Is this conversion kit a do it yourself kit, or send it to the factory kit ? Is this kit available yet ?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[rvitko]

It can be done either way, but do it yourself is an option and it is not to difficult. I have two kits remaining in stock, but please do not do the conversion unless you have confirmed your production code, it will void the warranty to convert an older pump.

 

[anthem]

Roger, I have a two pumps with "7 2 2" stamped on the top of them and two with "4 2 2" stamped.

How can I go about buying the stream (you, MD, CL ?) ? Is it difficult to assemble ?

Ed

 

[rvitko]

You can buy it direct or through a vendor, we do spare parts direct. The kit is part 6100Update, the only part presenting any difficulty is the conversion from the impeller to the propeller requires a new drive shaft, you must remove the brake shoes and seperate all the small pieces of the drive unit, if you can do this you will have no trouble, the manual explains this procedure. I would convert the newest pumps as the last upgrade to the drive units was done in April of 2002, your 722 pumps should have this upgraded design.

 

[anthem]

Roger, one last question. After these two conversions I'll have two streams and two 7400 pumps. CUrrently, its two on each side pointing at each other on a rail. Anyhow, I'll probably put a stream on each side with a pump as well. Any recommendation of whether I should put the pump lower or the stream lower ? I'm concerned about perhaps putting the stream high, that it may cause a lot of swirling at the top of the tank. Perhaps more than the pump does now. Dunno, any recommendations ?

Ed

 

[rvitko]

I would be more concerned the Stream might stir up substrate, the flow is more or less exponential, at 1ft away you get a 1' wall of water at 2' a 2' wall of water is moving. I think slightly above center is what I would target. Keep in mind the pump moves a lot of water and the mounts have to be very stable to withstand the back force.

 

[anthem]

Mounts being very stable with extended rails is kind of an oxymoron. . . . .

I might need more of those suction cups to hold the rails in place. I see some torque going on that kind of shifts the bottom of the rail toward the right (I think another poster sees the same) every few days. . .

 

[rvitko]

You will have to try them in different positions but the flow is low pressure and doesn't have the force to blow water out of the tank so I would probably not run more than one rail extension.

 

[anthem]

Yeah, but my tank is 4 ft deep. I'm currently running two rails screwed together which is then attached to the extended thickness attachment thing (sawed rail). Without a rail to extend the 2nd pump to the middle of the tank (about 40% up), I don't think enough movement is there. I have that pump with an extension tube attached to a strainer as well, drawing water up from a few inches above the surface. So, as you can see the rails are kind of necessary. . . .

Here is a pic of what I have on each side.

 

[rvitko]

I think if you replace the top pump with a Stream you will be in great shape. The bottom one will I think overly disturb the sand.
Try it, it is hard to explain the flow they produce.

 

[griss]

Hey Roger,

I have some Tunze 7400s, but the production stamps on the top of the units are too faded to read. Is there any other way to identify if these units can be converted to Stream pumps?

Griss

 

[rvitko]

The production numbers are embossed on the plastic near the side with the clip attached on top, they may be covered with coralline but without a file they are not removable.

 

[griss]

Thanks Roger, I guess I did not look close enough. Yes, they are covered with coralline. I will take one out tonight and soak in vinegar to remove the coralline.

Griss

 

[griss]

Roger,

Just looked closer (actually looked in the right spot) and mine have 8-2-1. Does this mean there is no way for me to use the conversion kit?

Griss

 

[rvitko]

Conversion would involve a new driver and the kit and some remachining of the bore and a new drive unit, $220 later you could have sold your pumps and bought the Streams and come out ahead. The old drivers were hand made, and were tuned to each individual pump, changing the pump causes problems. The old drive unit and impeller bore had a lower cooling capacity and tighter tolerances so they would foul more readily as a Stream. It is not that it can't be done it just isn't a good investment.