What is Tunze thinking?!

[LobsterOfJustice]

I'm not sure I understand this new line of Tunze pumps.

For a long time, Tunze had no competition. If you wanted serious flow for a large tank, it was Tunze stream pumps. Now there are vortechs, maximods, Hydor Koralias, and Seios, the last three of which are cheaper as well.

So Tunze is stopping production of the 6000, 6100, and 6200, to make the 6101, 6201, and 6301. The 6101 is basically one pump that can switch back and forth between being a 6000 and a 6100. But it costs $60 more than the 6000 did. People bought 6000's because they were cheaper and they did not need the 6100's flow. And the people who did buy the 6100, obviously spent the extra money because they needed the stronger pump. If anyone purchases a 6000, they can upgrade it to a 6100 by buying a new driver. And those that don't want to, can stay with the lower flow for $60 less. And those with a 6100 can turn the flow down on the driver. The people that dont need the 6100 stream are now just paying $60 more for a 6000. And the 6055 just barely doesnt take the 6000's place, faling short by about 400 GPH.

So this is how tunze is getting back in the game with all this competition? By combining what are probably their two most popular pumps into one more expensive pump? Am I missing something?

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

IMO, only the Tunze skimmers are reasonably priced (at least when you compare them with skimmers that have similar performances). Tunze can get away with higher prices because they are known to deliver excellent quality. Some of their products, ex. the wavebox, happen to occupy a unique position in the hobby by being the only one of their type available. As you said, this is no longer the case with the stream pumps. However, their variable speed controller-operated stream pumps are still in that position, aside from the obscure Chinese import (Resun Waver). I guess the Vortech would qualify, but until the controller comes out for it you can't really do the same things as you can with the Tunzes. Happily, I think we'll be seeing some more of such pumps come from other companies in the near future, hopefully more reasonably priced. From a manufacturing standpoint there certainly isn't a reason why these pumps should cost so much. They can charge that much because they don't have much for competition. Until that day comes, we're going to have to deal with rather disproportionately high prices (but at least it isn't Deltec).

 

[crvz]

It doesnt seem too far off to me. Tunze had enough evidence of folks upgrading their 6000s to 6100s (by swapping out some of the components, not just purchasing new Streams) that they were able to justify combining the pumps into one unit. By doing so, I think I've read that they'll be able to ensure their supply of products, as many folks know they've had a hard time keeping the 6000 and 6100 on the shelf.

IMO, shelling out a only $60 for a 6101 over the 6000 is quite a good investment. You're getting much more pump for the money, and while I appreciate the potential frustrations of eliminating a cheaper option that some folks would have been forever pleased with, the number of customers that need something between the 6055 and 6101 and arent willing to spend the money on a 6101 is probably quite small.

 

[vapor1]

IMHO, with Tunze you pay for the quality and the Excellent service.Its VERY hard to beat Roger's service on Tunze products.

 

[danceswithfish]

I do not need the flow of the 6101, so I am glad that I was able to get the 6000 before my lfs went out of stock. I didn't want to spend the extra $60 each for flow I did not need.

 

[treny]

have you seen the new bigger tunze pump that is like 6200 gph but it's like 800 each..

 

[fishyvet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10537372#post10537372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vapor1
IMHO, with Tunze you pay for the quality and the Excellent service.Its VERY hard to beat Roger's service on Tunze products.

What he said... I've owned most of the pumps you mentioned but after I bought my first Tunze, I'm junking my other pumps as soon as my next financial aid check comes in

 

[specialkb]

No no , no need to junk them i'll come pick them up never know when i'll need a back up.

 

[dukecola]

Tunzes have always been expensive. People thought I was crazy for spending $330 for a classic Tunze skimmer back in 1992, when all other skimmers of the day were going for less than $100. It was basically plastic, not acrylic so it looked even cheaper, but man that skimmer could skim. Tunze technology is great, not a fly-by-night, they take the hobby seriously.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I think some of you misunderstand what I am saying. I am not bashing tunze. I know they are cutting edge and they have great quality product and customer service. I have two 6000's and a multicontroller and love it. My frustration is that if I upgrade and want to add another 6000 to the mix, I need to either get 400 GPH less flow, or pay an extra $60 and dial the pump way back. And in reality, I would go for the 6055. So tunze just lost $60 from me, because I would have paid $260 for the 6000, but will not pay $320 for the 6101, which I dont need.

I'm just glad I got my two 6000's and a multicontroller back when it cost about $700, now it costs about $840. Not a small difference there.

 

[Justin James]

Tunze only cost tons. It's a big joke. Maybe back in the day they were hot but they are overpriced and outdone compared to the new kids on the block. Tunze should just roll over and die. They got it in their head that people will stay with them just because they had the best stuff 5 years ago. They need to talk to opera and get with the program.