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#51
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Paul |
#52
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Constant flow at 100% with one of those pumps will cause acros to grow in one direction or strip the flesh off of them. A pulsing pump allows corals to be placed closer to the pumps, and allows the acros to grow in more random directions. You can accomplish the same thing with multiple pumps aimed at each other, but dead spots are more likely to be formed. We're way off topic now.
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I refrain from using the word "hobby". You don't refer to your dog or cat as a "hobby." |
#53
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I can create the same effect as the 'wave box' with my tunzes. I just put them in the first interval mode on the shortest time setting. I get a 1.5" wave in my 125g... of course, then I dont get any water flow... but it IS possible.
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"If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it" -Al Einstein |
#54
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Its very hard to get the precise timing down with these controllers to do nice waves, thats why the aquasurf with a tunze or diy vortech is looking like a very good option. And in tanks shorter than 4ft, forget about it, you have to go lower than 1s.
When I had my tunze I had them stay at 100% and switched back and forth between two of them which were mounted on opposite sides of my tank. So one went from 100% to 0% as the other went from 0% to 100%. I can do that with maxijets on my controller, no constant flow, albeit not with an interval as small as 1.5s. I know people say tunze or vortechs are the best, just don't see why anymore with the other options out there, I guess its personal preference. Thanks for the discussion taco!
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Paul |
#55
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Best is such a "dumb" term. Really they ALL boil down to what suits your needs. I'd say as a general rule (and this kind of goes back to the original post), you will see the most benefit from Tunzes and Vortechs in tanks larger than 100g and 5+ feet long. I'm not saying they won't work for smaller tanks, but when you start hitting that 100g, 5ft or longer, you start realizing more bang for your buck with the Tunzes and Vortechs because the other options are expensive and energy hungry pumps. Additionally, the pumps' size in either case becomes less of an issue as the tank becomes larger. I'd chose Vortech if it can be used with your setup, just because of the backup battery. right now, Tunze's flexibility (mounting control options) are the best. Further, there is no such thing as an obsolete Tunze because Tunze provides update parts and repair parts for all of their pumps. My setup choice for my 240g is going to be switched over to 4 Tunze 6055 from a pair of 6100. I've been playing with one for a few weeks, and I like them. I put it on a 10g for kicks, and boy did that thing generate a swell with my 7095. My tank is only 4'x4', and I found my 6100 much too powerful for this tank. For smaller tanks, the nanostreams, Hydors, Koralias and Maxi-mods are more than adequate. Tunzes and Vortechs are overkill for smaller tanks. You can still run them, but you do don't get as much benefit per dollar versus a larger tank. The Hydors, Maxis and such can still be used for larger tanks, but it starts becoming inefficient in regards to tank real estate.
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I refrain from using the word "hobby". You don't refer to your dog or cat as a "hobby." |
#56
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Vortech Wave in my tank. 48" long 32" wide. Two vortechs making a SMALL wave, about 50% powered, so big waves are possible. Using two vortechs on opposite sides is much better flow wise. You have two physical steams of current from each side as opposed to a stream and a frequency wave.
Love the flow, HATE THE NOISE. It's really bad if you ask me. BUT that's what you get by having the motor on the outside, noise. Have a listen... Ultimately, I'm undecided, but for the peace that comes from a quiet tank, I may go with Tunzes...
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Take a step back and think |
#57
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If you are looking for a wave just get a tunze wavebox.
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#58
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Vortechs in other modes is less offensive with regard to noise as it is constant, but the pulse mode is probably most natural.
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Take a step back and think |
#59
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Wavebox is not your only flow.....
You have to have other powerheads besides a wavebox. Wavebox is a lot better than vortechs for waves.... |
#60
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Two vortechs in wave mode can be your only flow because they are more powerful than wavebox.
Have you used both or are you just speculating?
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Take a step back and think |
#61
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More powerful really has nothing to do with it....
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#62
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I'm planning an AGA 210 gal with 2 side overflow boxes. I'd like to have either a wavebox or the vortecs set up to sync a wave from side to side. I'm concerned that with either vortech system or a wavebox that the overflows will not function correctly with a either system in play? Is this a valid concern? Wave box would be placed in the center. Vortechs would be placed on opp end panels facing each other. Thoughts?
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"My mid life crisis is my reef tank! If I wated to save money I'd have bought a convertible Porche!" Brent |
#63
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Hell actually even just paying an upgrade cost and sending in my M would be sweet |
#64
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Anyways, my original point is that Vortechs are louder than Tunzes if noise is a concern, just bringing another dimension to this thread.
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Take a step back and think |
#65
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Take a step back and think |
#66
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I'd like to add that they are both ridiculously priced.
If it wasn't for tunze's over inflated price I bet the market would have more reasonably priced devices. I mean what are they really some magnets and a radio shack controller and a motor. hell my 14 year old could make either one of these in the garage. |
#67
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Sounds like you are set, get him on an aquacontroller next. I heard they are just some old sony playstation parts and digital watch LCD's stuck together with silly putty. Last edited by HBtank; 10/30/2007 at 07:10 PM. |
#68
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#69
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how noisy are the tunze waveboxes?
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"My mid life crisis is my reef tank! If I wated to save money I'd have bought a convertible Porche!" Brent |
#70
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I can't hear mine at all. When you first install it does make some noise but that goes away after a couples days.
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#71
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Thanks USC fan. Will probably end up going with the Tunze wavebox on side panel.
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"My mid life crisis is my reef tank! If I wated to save money I'd have bought a convertible Porche!" Brent |
#72
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#73
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Same here! My total spent on pumps/vortechs for my 270 is more than the cost of the tank. This is ridiculous, I spent a great deal of time carefully selecting and getting the best deal on my tank and then blow a wad on the flow systems.
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Charter member of the Trial and Error Club, when that doesn't work ask the stupid question here on RC to get an intelligent answer. |
#74
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Why, according to Oliver a 12 year old could make better pumps in the garage.....
I'm still on the fence.... If I could come up with a way to buy two Vortechs with out having to off load my current Tunze setup I would love to do a side by side comparison.... I would just hate to off my Tunzes then regret it 2 months later.
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-B |
#75
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When I moved to TX I did my rounds on all the LFS in the area and one of them had Tunze's on one tank and Vortechs on another. He said he can't possibly ask people to spend over 800.00 on either pump setup with their new tanks when they see maxi jets for 30 bucks unless they can see for themselves what each one offers. I agree with him too unless you've been in the hobby for a few years you already know what you're dropping cheddar for.
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