Tunze Stream 2 on non-tunze controllers

[Fizz71]

I am currently looking at the RK Elite Controller as a computer for my new setup and I am wondering what pumps would safely pair with it. I personally think it's wasteful to buy the tunze controller and then buy a computer with a built in wavemaker capability on top of it!!

I don't feel the need to make waves with 1 second intervals in my tank (freakin' ridiculous if you ask me) so I'd only be looking at something like 2 pumps on for 30 seconds, 2 pumps off, then switch. I think that's enough random flow for my taste. I know the tunze controller can do much more, but I think for my tank size and setup...the 30 on 30 off is better.

The tank is a whopping 8 foot in length (8x2x2) and all the pumps will be on the one short end so that's a lot to push. (I may add one on the other end, but I don't want to block the visibility so I'd like to go all on the single end). I was looking at the 6125s and 6105s but didn't know if one would be better than the other on a wavemaker or if NEITHER are recommended to go that route.

Thanks.

--Kevin

 

[rvitko]

True wave generation out of necessity must be fast it is based on resonance frequency, a small glass box has an inherently fast resonance frequency. The 6125 cannot be used on any sort of wavemaker the fastest on and off time allowed is 15 minutes, any more will quickly ruin the drive assembly. The warranty is technically void when the pumps are used with any non Tunze controllers. The 6105 with a Tunze controller is designed to speed up and slow down more so than switch on and off. It is much more complex than a simple on and off basic wavemaker set up and the pumps interface with a controller through a 5pin DIN port. On an 8 ft tank you will have a hard time getting suitable flow with all of your pumps on one side, the 6105 flow only carries about 7ft.

 

[Fizz71]

I have _NO_ wish for ANY resonance, I understand why it's so rapid in our tanks and I just think it's totally unnatural and not very calming to watch as the fish get slapped around. Every time I see somebody so proud of the accomplishment I laugh to myself...it just isn't appealing at all to me.

Anyway...

I was hoping that having a large amount of pumps high at one end would basically build up a circle of movement in the tank..a constant loop. Kind of like when you're a kid in a round pool and you all walk in a circle, eventually a whirlpool forms, except mine would be vertical.

I had a similar setup on a 4ft tank with a CRAPPY pump on a spray bar and the results were great. I was thinking 4 GREAT pumps would be enough to repeat the process at 8ft. The good thing is that if it doesn't work I'll just put more pumps mag mounted at the other end, it will obstruct my view, but if I have to do it I'll do it. There will also be no corals in last foot, so high flow won't be that important at that end.

One last question...do the controllable pumps REQUIRE a controller, or can I just plug them in for now and get a controller later if I decide I need it? For now I can just put it on the computer and use 4 on during the day and 2 and night and still use the computer's feeding mode to shut it off for 15 minutes. So I wouldn't be wavemaking....but then later as funds allow add the tunze controller and maybe a pumps at the other end if the circle concept doesn't happen.

I couldn't tell by the ads if the controllable pumps only came with a DIN plug or if there was an adapter for a regular plug too.

Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

I think your perception of wave generation is incorrect, on an 8ft tank a resonance wave would have a fairly natural frequency and it is a very useful adjunct to flow. It is unnaturally fast on small tanks but at 8ft it would be quite realistic. I think you should consider this option if not now, down the road. It has so many fans because it is very effective at eliminating dead spots and removing and suspending detritus.

The controllable pumps do not require a controller, they will run at one constant though adjustable speed without a controller.

 

[Fizz71]

That's OK...at 2ft high I don't want to sacrafice the space for the wave either, but I would be curious to see what the interval becomes on 8ft of push.

Thanks for your help.

--Kevin

 

[rvitko]

It would be nearer to 1.3 seconds. On a 4ft tank it is about half a second.

 

[Jacob D]

Fizz,

I don't think you're going to get the top-to-bottom circulating current that you're hoping for. Have you seen the laminar flow tanks that some people are using now? If not you might check into it, personally I think it wastes a lot of space, although it can produce a very strong flow with little energy input and would give you the flow pattern you're after. That doesn't address your controller question but it's something to think about.


Instead, you might consider a simple pulsed flow with a couple of pumps at one end and a couple in the middle. In my tank (7' long) I have 3 pumps at one end, two are mid height and one is at the bottom. The one at the bottom actually faces the glass so it blows out the otherwise dead area beneath the other 2 pumps. The 4th pump is just right of middle on the bottom of the opposite side. I use Tunze controller so I go from 30% to 100% at interval of 5 seconds. It creates a nice effect and keeps things stirred up pretty well.