Makin' Some Waves!!

fish-fan-attic · #1 11/30/2006, 12:09 AM

I need some guidance in terms of powerheads. I am currently setting up a 125 gal SPS tank, and have NO idea what to buy to get the water moving. The only movement I currently have is that of the 1" returns powered by a Mag-12. I am aware that this is not even close to enough flow. Let me make this clear to everyone, I WANT A LOT OF FLOW. I have always believed that the more flow you have the better success you have. So please, tell me your opinions on current equipment. And remember I know nothing on what I am to buy, especially when it comes to controllers. Thanks

-Adam_

josh holt · #2 11/30/2006, 12:28 AM

seios if your on a budget, tunze if you can afford it. another option is closed loop circulation.

jiggly75 · #3 11/30/2006, 12:38 AM

Or you can do 2 or 3 maxi jat mods and have all the flow you need for alot less money!!
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=968876

http://www.mjmods.com/

old salty · #4 11/30/2006, 12:41 AM

I wish I would have had the guts to drill my tank for a closed loop when I first bought it. Having said that, I went the Tunze route. I am buying in stages as the prices are a bit high. When I finish, here is how it will work:

Four 6100's with multicontroller. One in each back corner and one the other side of the overflows. Pulse the ones on the left from 30% to 100% for 3 to 5 seconds; do this for 6 hours and then do the same with the two on the other side of the tank. I got this idea from Roger @ Tunze and will one day have this setup. My credit card companies are loving me!!

ReefWreak · #5 11/30/2006, 12:43 AM

I second that. I just set up a 120g that I'm planning on converting to SPS mostly. I've got 2 seio 1100s in it, and they're enough to blow my sand around, but I'm still not sure as to the best way to evenly distribute their flow without blowing away my soft corals in there.
The 1100s can definatly get good flow across a tank that size though.

reefgeek84 · #6 11/30/2006, 01:07 AM

Honestly, I would go the route of the eco-tech vortech pumps...The only thing tunze has on them is the controller, but ice cap is coming out with a controller for them. Vortech's pump is outside of the water and does not take up nearly the space that the ugly, bulky tunze's...One other huge plus is that the vortech's can have a battery back up, that can run the pump for 12 hours at full speed on 4 AA's. That is one of the best things to hit this hobby...People buy generators to keep their water movement going...

I was going to do closed loop, but on a tank over 50gals, I think it gets way to expensive if done right with an OM...So I went vortechs and i love them...can not wait for the controller to come out for them.

fish-fan-attic · #7 11/30/2006, 11:00 AM

Thanks guys..So for my 125gal. what should I buy? I have nothing, so I will need everything, controllers etc. I just need to know the model #'s that I should get, how many, placement, etc. One thing that I should mention is that the sides of my tank are not really obtainable, on the outside. If you click my gallery you will see what I mean. The stand has the two cases running up the sides, so a zortech would probably not work, if I have to mount them over there. I can mount on the back easily, and I also have built in overflows that can be used if neccessary.

-Adam-

Aquaduck · #8 11/30/2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefgeek84
...One other huge plus is that the vortech's can have a battery back up, that can run the pump for 12 hours at full speed on 4 AA's. That is one of the best things to hit this hobby...People buy generators to keep their water movement going...

Where did you hear that they run on 4 AA batteries? Not true. I have the battery backup unit. It's a large sealed 12V battery in a aluminum box, like the kind used in computer UPS's. I get 20 hours of backup on one Vortech with it. If you can afford them, the Vortech's are the way to go. I have two on my 90 gallon.

Edit: If you need the controllers then wait until Icecap releases them because the present Vortech drivers need to be swapped out to use wireless control. There is a small fee for doing this.

DaddyJax · #9 11/30/2006, 11:16 AM

I am very happy with my Maxi mods!! They push a TON of flow! 2000gph+ each! $100 gets your reef rockin'!!

RichConley · #10 11/30/2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefgeek84
Honestly, I would go the route of the eco-tech vortech pumps...The only thing tunze has on them is the controller,

And, you know, a proven track record of longer than..a year.

RichConley · #11 11/30/2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaddyJax
I am very happy with my Maxi mods!! They push a TON of flow! 2000gph+ each! $100 gets your reef rockin'!!

I second that.

The controllability of tunzes is overrated. SUre its neat, but does it actually improve your tank? Not really.

herefishyfishy2 · #12 11/30/2006, 11:37 AM

Tunze did a great job marketing that the controller helps corals/tank

PaintGuru · #13 11/30/2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
I second that.

The controllability of tunzes is overrated. SUre its neat, but does it actually improve your tank? Not really.

Third that. I love my MJ mods. Easy to make with the kits, push a ton of water, and pretty small actually. Maybe put one in each, opposite corner at the ends....that is 4000gal/h right there.

fish-fan-attic · #14 11/30/2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaintGuru
Third that. Maybe put one in each, opposite corner at the ends....that is 4000gal/h right there.

Yeah this sounds like it might be a good idea. I dont really want to spend $1000 of Tunze, and I know I will. If I can get equal flow with these, and save a ton of money then why not? But then again I have heard so many good things about Tunze, the only negative comment I have heard is the price. If I did decided to go with the Tunze would this be okay for my tank? * 2 Pumps 2x7000 l/h (1850 gal), wave simulation, foodtimer and an option for operation in night mode
* 2 Turbelle ® Stream 6000 + Multicontroller 7095

DaddyJax · #15 11/30/2006, 11:49 AM

I have 2 125g tanks and I have 2 Maxi mods facing each other on both sides.

RichConley · #16 11/30/2006, 12:07 PM

FWIW, Fishfanatic, the Tunzes are physically HUGE.

josh holt · #17 11/30/2006, 02:51 PM

i forgot about the new vortex. im running 2 seio 1500 and 2 seio 820 in my 125 and they work great. i switched to seios from maxijets before the mods were perfected. my brother has a couple of maxi-mods and they do flow some serious water.plus my brother works at the lfs so the price of my seios were about the same as maxijet and mod.

stony_corals · #18 11/30/2006, 05:37 PM

I would also recommend putting eductors on your sump returns.... One of my display tanks is a 120 with 2 tunze 6100s, 2 seio 1100, and an eductor/penductor on each of the returns.... Eductors are the cheapest way to add ALOT of flow to your tank.

gasman059 · #19 11/30/2006, 07:18 PM

hey agreed with all of the above currently i have 2 mjmods and they rock , but aesthetically maybe not . anyways . I will keep an eye on korallia( hydor ) new ph that will give tunzes a run for their money and only $50 for1300 gph And they look purdy LOL
overrated the controller part

gasman059 · #20 11/30/2006, 07:23 PM

sorry about $100 for 1300 gph no controller/ IMO controller is BS

fish-fan-attic · #21 12/01/2006, 10:05 AM

What about a closed looped circ. system. What does everyone know about those? It seems pretty simple, but does it work?