Question 2, water flow and designs for reef tanks

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

I have 2 Tunze 6100'sfor main tank flow, ....... I'm looking at those 6055 Nanostreams to put on my 7095 controller with the 6100's.

Regarding those 6100's......I take it they have to be run off a controller to take advantage of their variable speed control feature?

Thanx much,

[Ruth]

Yes the 6100's have to be run of a controller - it is whether you go to a single controller or a multi (up to 4 powerhead) controller. I have only used the multi controller and have never really investigated the single controllers.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ruth

Yes the 6100's have to be run of a controller - it is whether you go to a single controller or a multi (up to 4 powerhead) controller. I have only used the multi controller and have never really investigated the single controllers.

So how the heck does that work? A controller varies the amount of juice going to the 6100?
(I don't mean to get off topic, but I don't get the whole controller thing. . Seems that they monitor parameters, but do all this other stuff too? Like a fancy powerbar, and more? All very confusing.)

Thanx much,

[Ruth]

Oh man now you are going to get me confused There is a specific controller that you get for the Tunze streams - it just depends on if you want to only control one powerhead (single controller) or more than one (multi controller) They basically can be set to control the amount of juice (flow) that the powerhead has as well as have it turn off and on at preset times intervals.
These controller only control the Tunze powerheads and not all that other fancy smantzy stuff. Those controllers I know absolutely nothing about.
Here is a link to a 6100 with a single controller.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=tz-ts6110k

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ruth

...... They basically can be set to control the amount of juice (flow) that the powerhead has as well as have it turn off and on at preset times intervals. .....

Thanx for the reply. Inevitably, I’m still a tad unclear on how these work (or more accurately....what they do, in this case).

So, I took the term “Variable Speed Control” to mean that if this PH (6100) is plugged into the controller, and that controller is programmed, that the PH’s flow rate would fluctuate throughout the day (and night) independent of any further fiddling from the aquarist. Now I’m thinking this assumption is incorrect. Am I now correct to assume that the controller is not programmable, so to speak, and that if I were to want to change the rate of flow of the PH that I would have to adjust the controller each and every time?

Also, other than during feeding times....what is the advantage to having the PH turn off?

I’m wondering if I can justify the cost of a 6100 PH and a 7091 controller when that combo costs just as much as two 6080’s.

Thanx much,

[AndyL]

Calfo manifolds are among the best if you can fit them...


Normally one would use locline to get some nice random flow, but in my case, decided since I had 4 Hydor Flo's kicking around, they'd do just fine (they clip nicely into a 1/2" FPT fitting).

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

So, I took the term “Variable Speed Control” to mean that if this PH (6100) is plugged into the controller, and that controller is programmed, that the PH’s flow rate would fluctuate throughout the day (and night) independent of any further fiddling from the aquarist. Now I’m thinking this assumption is incorrect. Am I now correct to assume that the controller is not programmable, so to speak, and that if I were to want to change the rate of flow of the PH that I would have to adjust the controller each and every time?

Also, other than during feeding times....what is the advantage to having the PH turn off?

Anyone?

Thanx,

[vanreefer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Anyone?

Thanx,

maximum and minimum outputs are adjustable, as well as the time between Example
min-->max-->max-->min, or
min----->max----->min----->max... or anything in between.
This changing in output make more "wavelike" current

[Dale]

For a totally different perspective.
I use a closed loop that attempts to deliver laminar flow to the entire length of my rock walls. I created the system for seahorses as they don't do well in the focused blast of powerheads. Bear in mind that it is a softie oriented reef and I don't keep SPS. The idea is an adaptation of the UGJ's used in big cichlid tanks.

I run 2 M.J. 1000's in line connected to about 16' of 1/2" PVC. This is laid out beneath the substrate along the front and back of my rock walls and drilled every inch with 1/8th holes. When I tested the system I had surface agitation across the entire surface of my tank (straight up from the bottom) and it has worked well so far. The "mini jets" are constantly kicking detritus up into the water column to be siphoned off by the horizontal overflow.
I don't run any power heads and the only other flow is moderate surface flow from my returnline.
I'll try to post a pic or two.





and a year later (I am slowly siphoning the substrate out to create a B.B.)


________
Suzuki RV125