Powerhead--Do I need a controller

otrlynn · 12/03/2007, 08:15 PM

Newbie question. I am looking to add powerheads to my 58 gallon reef tank. I am considering two of the Tunze 6025s. Do you need a controller in order to use them, or just if you want to change the speed?

Acillaton · 12/03/2007, 08:18 PM

Yes, you do need a controller.

otrlynn · 12/03/2007, 08:37 PM

Okay, further along the newbie lines, I only have a vague idea what a controller does...can you explain please? Do other brands of powerheads comparable to the Tunze require a controller? I have only a basic Penguin something-or-other powerhead so I am not familiar with the requirements of the better products. Thanks!

steven_dean17 · 12/03/2007, 08:39 PM

You do not need a controller. A regular outlet strip will be just fine.

BangkokMatt · 12/03/2007, 09:18 PM

No controller needed

otrlynn · 12/03/2007, 09:18 PM

Okay, now I'm really confused....

Newlin · 12/03/2007, 09:27 PM

The controler is only for if you want to create a wave action. In the ocean, the water flows both ways and not like a river. That is what the controller will try ot create if you have more than one power head. But, if you just get a power strip that has a timer on it, you can leave one on at night and turn all the others off at night. The ocean is calmer at night so naturally you don't want all of them on. Hope this helps.

BangkokMatt · 12/03/2007, 09:28 PM

Really - no need for a controller. Acillaton is wrong. Infact, as far asi know the 6025 doesn't even work with a controller. I have one. Definitely no need for a controller !

steven_dean17 · 12/03/2007, 09:28 PM

Don't be confused, 6025's are not controllable.

kau_cinta_ku · 12/03/2007, 10:19 PM

only the 6055's are made to be used with a controller.

otrlynn · 12/04/2007, 06:19 AM

Okay, it seems like I have my answer. I never thought about the reduced flow at night like Sooner Handyman mentioned. Do most people cut back on the flow at night? The more I know the more I know how much I don't know!!!

dkh0331 · 12/04/2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by otrlynn
Okay, it seems like I have my answer. I never thought about the reduced flow at night like Sooner Handyman mentioned. Do most people cut back on the flow at night? The more I know the more I know how much I don't know!!!

Some people do. I for one do not reduce my flow at night, even tho my Tunze controller gives me the option to.

BangkokMatt · 12/04/2007, 07:15 AM

I don't. I'm all for keeping all conditions stable. All your animals will acclimate to their closed system.

lancer99 · 12/04/2007, 08:33 AM

The ocean is calmer at night, but oxygen levels don't drop as they do in an aquarium. Surface agitation will increase the dissolved oxygen, and leaving the powerheads on will bring more oxygen to the corals.

-R

BangkokMatt · 12/04/2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lancer99
The ocean is calmer at night, but oxygen levels don't drop as they do in an aquarium. Surface agitation will increase the dissolved oxygen, and leaving the powerheads on will bring more oxygen to the corals.

-R

Agreed

12/03/2007, 08:15 PM	#1
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Powerhead--Do I need a controller Newbie question. I am looking to add powerheads to my 58 gallon reef tank. I am considering two of the Tunze 6025s. Do you need a controller in order to use them, or just if you want to change the speed?

12/03/2007, 08:37 PM	#3
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Okay, further along the newbie lines, I only have a vague idea what a controller does...can you explain please? Do other brands of powerheads comparable to the Tunze require a controller? I have only a basic Penguin something-or-other powerhead so I am not familiar with the requirements of the better products. Thanks! __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

12/03/2007, 08:39 PM	#4
steven_dean17 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: scott depot wv. Posts: 601	You do not need a controller. A regular outlet strip will be just fine. __________________ The Dali Llama is my "Ommmmmboy" Current Tank Info: 75gal. reef

12/03/2007, 09:18 PM	#5
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	No controller needed __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

12/03/2007, 09:18 PM	#6
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Okay, now I'm really confused.... __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

12/03/2007, 08:18 PM	#2
Acillaton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CT Posts: 430	Yes, you do need a controller.

12/03/2007, 09:27 PM	#7
Newlin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noble, Ok. Posts: 227	The controler is only for if you want to create a wave action. In the ocean, the water flows both ways and not like a river. That is what the controller will try ot create if you have more than one power head. But, if you just get a power strip that has a timer on it, you can leave one on at night and turn all the others off at night. The ocean is calmer at night so naturally you don't want all of them on. Hope this helps. __________________ Everything that I own is for sale, click my little red house for info. Local pickup only.

12/03/2007, 09:28 PM	#8
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	Really - no need for a controller. Acillaton is wrong. Infact, as far asi know the 6025 doesn't even work with a controller. I have one. Definitely no need for a controller ! __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

12/03/2007, 10:19 PM	#10
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	only the 6055's are made to be used with a controller.

12/04/2007, 06:19 AM	#11
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Okay, it seems like I have my answer. I never thought about the reduced flow at night like Sooner Handyman mentioned. Do most people cut back on the flow at night? The more I know the more I know how much I don't know!!!

12/04/2007, 07:15 AM	#13
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	I don't. I'm all for keeping all conditions stable. All your animals will acclimate to their closed system. __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

12/04/2007, 08:33 AM	#14
lancer99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 1,100	The ocean is calmer at night, but oxygen levels don't drop as they do in an aquarium. Surface agitation will increase the dissolved oxygen, and leaving the powerheads on will bring more oxygen to the corals. -R