tunze streams and electronic powerheads

[johns]

I'm thinking about replacing all of the maxijet powerheads in my 75G (48X18X21) with a single pump for flow, and the name that is continually mentioned in Tunze. Usually people mention the Tunze Streams, but I'm also wondering about their electronic pumps. I rarely see it mentioned. They both handle a lot of flow, are controllable, and bit pricey too.

What are the real differences in performance and what do you think would work best in this size tank? remember, I'd like one pump only. I'd hate to spend this kind of money and find that it's way too much flow for my size tank. or that I still need to put additional powerheads in there.

Examples:

the Tunze 6010 stream kit handles between 660-1850GPH and comes with a single controller for 295.00

the tunze 7310 powerhead kit handles 160-790GPH and comes with a single controller for 285.00

the tunze 7410 powerhead kit handles 180-1060GPH and comes with a single controller for 311.00

 

[rvitko]

Tell me more about your tank, what do you keep and what is your return configuration. All three of those are viable options depending on what you are doing. The Electronics are actually fairly popular. The Streams seem to get all the glory but we have always had a wide flow principal, I use 2 7400/2 in my 120 and 3 in my 150 and one in my 75cube. Also, tell me about you sand.

 

[johns]

OK. This tank is still very new. I just set it up. There actually is nothing in it yet except for sand. I guess that's going to make it hard to figure out what to get. I have 60lbs of live rock curing in a separate tank to be transferred over. But I'm just kinda thinking ahead to how I envision it.

The tank is a reef ready with corner overflow. I have a 30G AGA sump down below with skimmer/fuge/return pump (all in-sump). The return pump is an Eheim 1262. All rerturn plumbing in sump is 1" reinforced flexible vinyl tubing, with a typical PVC return pipe and durso drain in the overflow box.

I'm glad you asked about the sand. I dont want to use something that's going to whip it up constantly. I'm doing a shallow sand bed. I put down about 0.5-0.75" of Caribsea Sea-floor grade stuff (I dont know the actual grain size). I plan to add about another 0.25" of live sand to help get the tank going. I expect the grain size of that will be similar.

As far as what I'm going to stock - that isn't totally clear yet. I know I'll want some colorful mushrooms, ricordias, zooanthids, polyps. I dont know enough about the rest to know for sure what I'll get. I tend to like the looks of the softer corals more than the hard corals. That's all I can tell you for now. I also want to house 6 or 8 fish - 2 clowns, one or 2 gobies or blennies, a tang, maybe a couple of cardinals. The usual inverts - mostly snails, a few shrimp, hermits, stars, cucumbers.

If I decided to use the electronic powerheads with this set-up, do you think I'd need more than one? Because that would drive the price up quite a bit. In that case, why not get the stream (unless that was too much flow). Is there some other advantage to using the powerheads over the stream?

 

[rvitko]

I would set up with the 7400/2. I used a 7300/2 and a 1600/2 on an ex girlfriends tank 75gallons with polyps and leathers and it worked very well. Everything was intank- the 1600 was in the Reefpack filter. So, the 1262 should be about equal in flow and the 7400/2 could be turned down for the time being and if later you want to add some easy stonies you can. The Streams really are not geared toward what you want to do and I think you will find the greater versatility of the electronic pumps in flow direction and filtration options to be a great benefit over time. The Streams are primarily for SPS and certain species of leather. For mixed tanks and polyps and the like the 7400/2 would give you a more stratified aquarium so you will have zones for different types of corals. The flow will be strong up top near the pump and gentle where it rolls back when it hits the glass on the far end. It is still relatively diffuse as it is 1055gph out of a 1" nozzle.

 

[johns]

Wow. You're quick.

So. We're still only talking about one single powerhead then, right? And this will be enough flow throughout the tank? Where would you put it?

If I do this, the only other circulation would come from the return loc-line tubing coming up and over the overflow box. The Eheim pump can probably push about 600GPH - I have a ball valve on it and it may be turned down slightly towards 400-500. I can direct the return tubing towards the opposite corner of the tank, and then the 7400/2 towards the other corner maybe?

How much would you turn down the 7400/2 initially considering there wasn't much else in the tank but a few mushrooms/zoos/softies, etc.

Sorry for so many questions. But as I said, these are a bit pricey (for me at least). If I were to buy one and find I still needed additional powerheads or it wasn't right for the tank, I'd probably be a bit angry.

 

[rvitko]

No problem, yes they are pricey but they are worth it. They are very well made and you will get your moneys worth I promise. I can't promise however that it will be all the flow you need. So much depends on rock structure and inhabitants but I am reasonably certain from my experience it will work just fine. I would position it in the opposite corner from your return and aim the pump to the opposite corner in the front.

How much you will have to turn it down again depends on rock work, I would probably run it full bore unless the sand gets stirred up. I would pulse between 50% and 100% every few seconds.

 

[johns]

Now how about a little information on how these are attached to a tank with a top rim (I have an Oceanic 75G). From more than one other person, I've heard there are some difficulties. Cant seem to understand why, but I trust their opinions. Can you explain a little?

And also, does the light sensor come with these electronic pump and stream kits with controllers? Or is that a separate item?

 

[rvitko]

I have never really understood why people find them so difficult to use, at least not on Oceanic or All glass tanks. I think it is just they are not the simple suction cups most people are used to. I include a pic- you will need extension set 3000.244 for an Oceanic tank. Really the clamp is no different in concept from an everyday woodclamp.

As for the photocell, it is included with the multicontroller but is a seperate option on the single controller.

 

[johns]

That doesn't stick out off the rim too far, right? I assume I can still keep a cover on the tank


Where is that photocell available? I dont see it at marine depot.

 

[rvitko]

You can keep the lid on if you mount on the back and cut the plastic back strip on the lid. It sticks out about 1/2" from the glass. Marine Depot stocks them but I am out of stock and so are they- this one was my fault as I made an inventory error and because the computer thought I had them it never made a PO. Hopefully more will come in a couple weeks. It is part 7094.050.