Tunze Stream For A 55 Gallon Tank?

[Jayhawk88]

I have a standard size 55 gallon tank. My return pump is a Mag 7. I was thinking of using a Tunze Stream on one side of my tank (in the decor rock), and having my return on the other side. Would this produce the right amount (and kind) of circulation? I haven't completely setup the tank yet. I would like to have a wide variety of life in it... fish, corals, clams, anemones.

Also, could you explain the differences between the Turbelle Stream 6000 and the Turbelle Stream 6060? I've read about them a little over at Champion Lighting. It says that the 6060 is for aquariums 60-200 gallons and the 6000 is for aquariums 100-250 gallons. This was a little confusing to me since the 6000 has speed control and can be run as slow as 660 GPH while the 6060 is at a constant 1600 GPH. Which model would be best for my tank? Could I get away with using the cheaper 6060 model? Is it just the speed control that accounts for the higher price of the 6000 model, or are there other differences?

How exactly does the speed control on the 6000 model work? Is a "Tunze Motor Control" something I would have to buy separately? In the picture of the Turbelle 6000, there is what sort of looks like a blue overflow box in the background, what exactly is that?

I like the idea of hiding the pump in the decor rock. What are the drawbacks to doing this?

Lastly, do you know where the waiting list would be the shortest for this item?

Thanks for your help!

 

[LowCel]

Last time I talked to Premium Aquatics I was the only person on the waiting list for the 6000. Hope that helps out.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Cool... thanks

 

[rvitko]

I cannot recommend using a Stream on a 55. Their is no point, the tank is so narrow the full function and width of flow can never be utilized. The Stream Rock is nearly as wide as the tank. Use a 7300/2 or 7400/2. A Stream just is silly in the footprint of a 55. 7300/2 7400/2 and 6000 are electronic pumps. The blue box is the computer that controls the pump. The pumps run on low voltage and the flow can be adjusted on the blue driver box. The box has a 5pin din port that the controllers connect to and these allow you to pulse the pumps and set up various patterns of flow.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Would the Stream create too strong of currents? Or would it just not reach it's potential due to the narrowness of the tank? Are decor rocks available for the powerheads you mentioned?

 

[rvitko]

No deco rocks for the other pumps but you would only need one. melev wrote a review of the 7300/2 in his 55 that was on the home page and you will see it is quite enough flow. The Stream just isn't a good pump for this tank. The flow ill be channeled and likely create excessive turbulence in places and move the sand. I can't recommend it.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jayhawk88]

Ok, one last question. If I got the Turbelle Stream 6000 and set it at its lowest speed (660 GHPH), do you think it would still create excessive turbulence? Or is not the GPH but the width of the stream that would cause the problem? Is there any way to narrow the stream? Don't mean to be difficult, I just really like the idea of hiding the powerhead in the rock so it blends with your tank. I'm surprised that more companies haven't come up with something like that.

 

[rvitko]

Their are several problems with the Stream in a 55. (If you don't have the tank yet consider something else like a 75 or 58) The Stream rock is 10 by 10 by 6, a 55 is 12" wide so it barely fits. The Stream pump at full power creates a 4ft by 2ft by 2ft column of water. The 7300/2 moves a column about 4ft by 10" by 10". It just is a better application of flow for the dimension. If you turn down a 6000 you greatly compromise the distance the flow carries so you would have no flow almost on the tanks far end. Streams have a place but for smaller tanks I just can't recommend it. They were designed for large tanks and SPS culture. The traditional powerheads we make have many of the same features and do a better job in these aquariums and the 7300/2 would also pulse and offer flow control.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Ok, the 7300/2 sounds like a winner. I have a couple questions about it.

1) Where would be the ideal place to put it? Does it need to have a fairly clear path to the other side of the tank?

2) How should I mount. I've read that the hanging device isn't so great for American aquariums. Should I use suctions cups? I don't have water in my tank yet, so should I silicone it?

3) Would it be feasible to have a ceramic shop custom make a rock to house it in?

 

[rvitko]

Put it in one of the back corners aimed across the tank. I would use the included holder and since your tank is empty you could use kit 3000.26 to silicon it in place and not mess with the screws and clamps. You can get suction cups for that pump but I don't recommend them, they fail eventually and it really makes a mess to have a pump with that volume fall. I would just pile the rock in such a way it isn't noticeable.