Tunze time is up... What Should I buy?

J3REEF · 05/14/2007, 03:10 PM

Since the date on the 6000 or replacment is now in June, I am looking for alternatives for a 120 reef setup.

Like the VorTech, but noticed that you are unable to adjust the flow direction as you can on the Tunze.

Looked at the Hydor Koralia 4 which has a great price and a few good reviews.

If I go with the HK 4 units, I was thinking of 3-4 units with a wavemaker or other controller.

Two VorTechs and wait on their controller.

Looking for comments on the HK & VorTech and any other viable options other than waiting until June for the Tunze.

I also could go with 1 or 2 HK4's in the short term while I am cycling the tank and add a few 6101s when they FINALLY are released from Germany!

Thanks

Bebo77 · 05/14/2007, 03:32 PM

how many GPH were you looking at putting in your tank?

burton14e7 · 05/14/2007, 03:47 PM

If you're still cycling wouldn't a June release date be ideal? You could just use whatever you have until cycling is over then get what you actually want.

noobwithatank · 05/14/2007, 04:05 PM

the hks can not be put on a wave maker. sorry.

areze · 05/14/2007, 04:13 PM

vortech was such a nice design. but I feel like it fell short.

limited in flow directions, as well as overall output, and to not have a controller available as tailored and powerful as the tunze.

great idea, just seemed like such poor execution.

Ive tried DIY streams, or just big ol maxijets all over. but when I see the big boys invariably going with the tunze power heads...

ccorpse27 · 05/14/2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noobwithatank
the hks can not be put on a wave maker. sorry.

The Koralias can be used with a Seio wavemaker. Hydor themselves suggest this.

Hop · 05/14/2007, 05:46 PM

I'm running two 4s on a wavemaker. Timed for 2 hours on, one hour off with a 1/2 hour overlap. So far so good. I did hear that short intervals were not recommended, but the longer ones seem just fine.

A.T.T.R · 05/14/2007, 05:47 PM

hk are loud on start up
i have them on a wave maker.. lets see how long it last

J3REEF · 05/14/2007, 06:38 PM

Thanks for the replies.

120 tech tank setup that will end up being stocked with lps/sps and a few fish. 1500 GPH return pump on an 80 gallon sump.

I was shooting for 50x turnover rate on the tank or 6000 GPH.
Quite spots as well for some of the inverts as well as a few of the lps - caves or spots protected by reef rock.

The HK 4 run at 1200GPH, so I was initially thinking of putting 2 in during cycle and adding 2 more along with my return gets me in the ball park. 4800 GPH along with my return gets about ~6000GPH.

The reason I liked the tunze was I could start with the 6000 and swap the transformer out and get them running at a 6100 GPH or instead add a few nano's once the 6055s are released. Two 6000s and two 6055s off the same controller sounded sweet.

I also like the HK 4 price point.

If they run off a controller, I could add four HK 4s for the price of one 6000.

If I get more replies on HK 4 that work on a controller to setup flow I think I will order a few to get started. If things go well, then I will end up adding a few more and staying with the HK line.

Any more comments or links on HKs working on a controller?

I've also heard that they work on a controller, but you could not or should not have them shut completely down???? Not sure what is or what is not supported on these big bad boys.

Also, anyone have the actual dimensions on the HK4 & HK3?

Hop · 05/14/2007, 06:38 PM

Put them on the seio controller and you will never hear them

J3REEF · 05/14/2007, 07:03 PM

Thanks Hop.

Since the Seio only handles two pumps, do you think I could hot wire the controller to handle two pumps on one side fo the same as one device and the other two pumps on the other side of the tank as the other device? This way I get 4 pumps, two working together, off one controller???

I have a blow torch and arch welder if I need to tweak it a bit ;-)

Hop · 05/14/2007, 07:22 PM

My guess would be that as long as the controller can handle the amps that it wouldn't be an issue. I've never researched the seio controllers though. So sorry to give you a homework assignment

MTB · 05/14/2007, 07:38 PM

Homework is good every once in a while! HA
I would do the HK. The price point versus GPH is not to be overlooked. The Tunze are just so darn expensive. I do not have tunzes but I will go with the cheaper alternative cause I am strapped for cash. The hks will be my first real powerhead.(I have aqua clears now)

05/14/2007, 03:10 PM	#1
J3REEF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 170	Tunze time is up... What Should I buy? Since the date on the 6000 or replacment is now in June, I am looking for alternatives for a 120 reef setup. Like the VorTech, but noticed that you are unable to adjust the flow direction as you can on the Tunze. Looked at the Hydor Koralia 4 which has a great price and a few good reviews. If I go with the HK 4 units, I was thinking of 3-4 units with a wavemaker or other controller. Two VorTechs and wait on their controller. Looking for comments on the HK & VorTech and any other viable options other than waiting until June for the Tunze. I also could go with 1 or 2 HK4's in the short term while I am cycling the tank and add a few 6101s when they FINALLY are released from Germany! Thanks __________________ J3REEF Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 Tech, MH, MRC Sump/Fug 48"x24"x24", WM k2, Iwaki 1500gph, HKs & JBJ OS, FilterGuys Ocean Reef +1 RO/DI

05/14/2007, 03:32 PM	#2
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	how many GPH were you looking at putting in your tank? __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

05/14/2007, 03:47 PM	#3
burton14e7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Keller, Tx Posts: 2,009	If you're still cycling wouldn't a June release date be ideal? You could just use whatever you have until cycling is over then get what you actually want. __________________ Go Lakers! Current Tank Info: Currently awaiting relapse.

05/14/2007, 04:13 PM	#5
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	vortech was such a nice design. but I feel like it fell short. limited in flow directions, as well as overall output, and to not have a controller available as tailored and powerful as the tunze. great idea, just seemed like such poor execution. Ive tried DIY streams, or just big ol maxijets all over. but when I see the big boys invariably going with the tunze power heads... __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

05/14/2007, 05:46 PM	#7
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	I'm running two 4s on a wavemaker. Timed for 2 hours on, one hour off with a 1/2 hour overlap. So far so good. I did hear that short intervals were not recommended, but the longer ones seem just fine. __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

05/14/2007, 04:05 PM	#4
noobwithatank Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Niagara, Ontario. Posts: 65	the hks can not be put on a wave maker. sorry.

05/14/2007, 05:47 PM	#8
A.T.T.R Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ft lauderdale Posts: 2,729	hk are loud on start up i have them on a wave maker.. lets see how long it last __________________ Chris Addicted to the Reef- Current Tank Info: Starting a 20g

05/14/2007, 06:38 PM	#9
J3REEF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 170	Thanks for the replies. 120 tech tank setup that will end up being stocked with lps/sps and a few fish. 1500 GPH return pump on an 80 gallon sump. I was shooting for 50x turnover rate on the tank or 6000 GPH. Quite spots as well for some of the inverts as well as a few of the lps - caves or spots protected by reef rock. The HK 4 run at 1200GPH, so I was initially thinking of putting 2 in during cycle and adding 2 more along with my return gets me in the ball park. 4800 GPH along with my return gets about ~6000GPH. The reason I liked the tunze was I could start with the 6000 and swap the transformer out and get them running at a 6100 GPH or instead add a few nano's once the 6055s are released. Two 6000s and two 6055s off the same controller sounded sweet. I also like the HK 4 price point. If they run off a controller, I could add four HK 4s for the price of one 6000. If I get more replies on HK 4 that work on a controller to setup flow I think I will order a few to get started. If things go well, then I will end up adding a few more and staying with the HK line. Any more comments or links on HKs working on a controller? I've also heard that they work on a controller, but you could not or should not have them shut completely down???? Not sure what is or what is not supported on these big bad boys. Also, anyone have the actual dimensions on the HK4 & HK3? __________________ J3REEF Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 Tech, MH, MRC Sump/Fug 48"x24"x24", WM k2, Iwaki 1500gph, HKs & JBJ OS, FilterGuys Ocean Reef +1 RO/DI

05/14/2007, 07:03 PM	#11
J3REEF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 170	Thanks Hop. Since the Seio only handles two pumps, do you think I could hot wire the controller to handle two pumps on one side fo the same as one device and the other two pumps on the other side of the tank as the other device? This way I get 4 pumps, two working together, off one controller??? I have a blow torch and arch welder if I need to tweak it a bit ;-) __________________ J3REEF Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 Tech, MH, MRC Sump/Fug 48"x24"x24", WM k2, Iwaki 1500gph, HKs & JBJ OS, FilterGuys Ocean Reef +1 RO/DI

05/14/2007, 07:22 PM	#12
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	My guess would be that as long as the controller can handle the amps that it wouldn't be an issue. I've never researched the seio controllers though. So sorry to give you a homework assignment __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

05/14/2007, 07:38 PM	#13
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	Homework is good every once in a while! HA I would do the HK. The price point versus GPH is not to be overlooked. The Tunze are just so darn expensive. I do not have tunzes but I will go with the cheaper alternative cause I am strapped for cash. The hks will be my first real powerhead.(I have aqua clears now) __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.