Whining Tunze 6060s?

[pfizeriser]

I run two Tunze 6060 powerheads off a standard Natural Wave brand timer in my 215 reef (6' long x 2' wide x 2.5' tall). The pumps are positioned in the back, each attached to overflow boxes located at opposite ends of the tank. Recently, both pumps have started "whining" periodically. I have repeatedly removed them and washed the impeller, housing, outer grate, etc. with tap water. Still, the noise returns after less than one day. Is the noise I am hearing actually the alarm I have read about in other Tunze USA postings? There is little to no algae growth on the units as the system is less than a year old. I do have a theory as to the cause of the noise - I feed seaweed that becomes dislodged after the fish pick at the clip/food. Could the pumps be sucking up seaweed pieces and jamming? If so, what can be done to prevent the intake of food etc., without harming the pumps? I have two other questions - 1) should I have more powerheads in this system? 2) is the 6060 powerful enough for this size tank (1600 gal/hour per powerhead)?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Randy

 

[rvitko]

The Natural Wave is destroying your pumps- read the manual- not suitable for use on wavemakers. Wavemakers void the warranty. The 6060 has no alarm. The whining you are hearing is the drive unit being worn out by the start and stop of the Natural Wave system. For a 215 it will depend on what you are keeping. Please stop using the wavemaker- this is explicitly covered in the manual and has been covered here numerous times. You may need to buy new drive units part 6080.60 if the squeaqling doesn't stop when you discontinue operation on the wavemaker.

 

[pfizeriser]

Thanks

Thanks

Wow. That explains it. Thnaks for your advise. I will stop using the Wavemaker immediately.

 

[pfizeriser]

One last question - Which Wavemaker is recommended for use by Tunze?

 

[rvitko]

None. Only the 6100 and 6000 can be controlled and only with controllers 7091 and 7094. The problem is that inorder to always have the prop spin in the right direction- a regular powerhead impeller spins either way- we have to employ a brake mechanism. The brakes are ruined if called upon all the time and never given a chance to fully retract. You can use timers set at 1hr intervals safely. The Electronic Streams employ a more sophisticated computer control system that enable us to speed up and slow down the pumps.

 

[pfizeriser]

Thanks again

Thanks again

As per your advice, I ordered 4 Tunze 6000 pumps with the 7094 multicontroller. I also ordered four adapters to place the units in the corners of my Oceanic 215. Any suggestions as to how to set the pumps once I receive them? To answer your previous question regarding tank inhabitants and long term tank goals here are the answers. The tank has been in operation for six months with all equipment purchased new in March. I believe the system has cycled completely as water parameters are in line with Tullock's recommendations and have been for about three months - (alkalinity 200ppm; salinity 1.022; ph 8.3; calcium 450 mg/l; nitrate 10ppm). I realize the alkalinity number is low and the nitrate level is higher than optimum and I continue to work on these issues with water changes and additives from Seachem. For fish, I have the standard fare - a large volitan lionfish, a royal blue tang, a purple tang, a lawnmower blenny, a six line wrasse, a cinnamon clown and a goatfish. I have just started to add corals and I would like to add one per month. Currently, there are a bubble, a mushroom and a star coral in the tank. I have caulerpa in the sump to help with the nitrates. Also making the 215 their home are two cleaner shrimps, lots of crabs and numerous turbo snails. It's a modified Berlin setup with 150 pounds of live Caribbean rock and 2" base combination live sand and arrogonite. I run 3 ea. 250W/10,000 HQI hallides for six hours daily, along with 2 hours of actinic (45W).

Thanks for your prompt attention and help. Tunze's a great brand - though a little hard to pronouce (I always thought it was "Tune-Zee" but learned differently today reading on this thread).

Randy

 

[rvitko]

Whoa- when was it my advice to order 4 6000 Streams? This sounds like an expensive way to go. I might suggest 2 6100 Streams or you could keep the 2 6060 Streams on one end running on two timers and then on the other end install a 6100 with a single controller? What is your primary goal in terms of coral inhabitants? If you want softies maybe start with 2 6000's. if you want to keep alot of Acro's two 6100's will definitely be all you need. These pumps cover a swath that is 2ft by 2ft and the 6000 and 6060 carry about 4ft and the 6080 is about 5 and the 6100 is 6-7ft.

 

[pfizeriser]

Regarding timers, I would prefer to use a controller. Concerning the corals, I am planning to keep softies and SPS. Primarily, I was thinking of starting with two hardy leathers. Then I will add a Xenia and a Tubipora if things go well with the leathers. Eventually, say in six months, it's my goal to introduce various SPS species. Its my hope that I can optimize and stabilize all enivronmental factors with good water movement by the summer. Can two 6000 units operate off a 7094 controller, or must four pumps be connected/programmed? If I go with four 6000s, can I lower output to a level that will be suitable and provide chaotic flow necessary for SPS? I appreciate your advice Roger.

Randy

 

[rvitko]

Anything from 1- 8 pumps can be run and in any combination as long as they are an Electronic pump- with appropriate adapters you can run the Classic pumps as well. 4+ pumps are required to use Sequence mode and 2+ pumps are required for Tide mode. Start with 2 pumps but you may consider the 6100's especially if your goal is SPS.

 

[pfizeriser]

After reading your latest reply, I think I'll start with 2 6000s in the tide mode and introduce two leather corals a few days after installation, watching the corals closely for a month, or so. Then, I will add the other two pumps and see how these soft corals react to chaotic flow. I don't plan to add SPS for a while anyway, so I can tweek the system ahead of time. What do you think?

 

[rvitko]

Should work very well.

 

[pfizeriser]

Great. I'll keep you posted.

Randy