Tunze Streams, are they really worth the money?

[jsbzmcdaniel]

The bottom line..............................You get what you pay for! I have two 6100's and a wave box on my 180. I used to run a Oceans Motions HD 4 way powered by a Sequence Dart and a Spray bar powerd from a Sequence Hammerhead. The Tunze setup is better hands down over anything I have used before. Keep in mind the resale value. How often do you see them last in the selling forum?

[BlueCorn]

They seem really expensive until you buy them and put them in your tank. Then you wonder how you did without them.

[jman77]

Look you have to keep in mind that a maxijet mod will cost you around what…20 bucks. When the “driver� in one my 6000’s died it cost me around 80 bucks to replace just that one piece .

I’m setting up two modded mj 900’s in a prop tank I’m setting up and if I don’t get as much flow, or have to replace a part here of there, or can’t dial up/down the power on the powerhead setup,,,, guess what …I don’t care. I didn’t spend around 800 bucks to put water movement in the tank.

Don’t get me wrong, yes Tunzes are nice and I don’t think you can mod a MJ to be exactly a Stream. The questions is, is a modded MJ enough of what you need for you not to get a stream?

[ZURCSREEF]

jman, you think you can link me to the page for the modded mj900's? I would greatly appreciate it... I want to check these out aswell as get more info on the tunze's... I am liking this thread...

[BlueCorn]

Where the modded mjs fall down is in the controller space. Put two streams and a wavebox on a tank and then try to duplicate that flow with a couple of hacked up powerheads.....game, set, match.

[ErikS]

The questions is, is a modded MJ enough of what you need for you not to get a stream?

IMHO - for a display tank over 3'? No.

I’m setting up two modded mj 900’s in a prop tank

And that from my experience is a perfect application for them.

Modded jets aren't bad, there are just some design issues that Tunze has overcome (i.e. tip slip).

[jmkins]

zurcs -
jman put up the link in his first post on page 1. I run two of these in a 40b right now. They work great, haven't seen them on larger tanks or on a wavemaker though so I cant speak for them in that sense. Definetly happy that I did go that route, but my alternative was a couple of seios. Like everyone has said the maxi mod is more like a seio based on controllability issues. It exceeds the seio since it can be put on a wavemaker.

I'm not able to upgrade to a big tank for a couple of years but when I do I will likely go with the vortech pump from icecap (or a DIY version of a pump like it). There really does seem to be a switch towards more prop based powerheads or it seems there will be in the near future. The beta testers on this pump all seem to like it. I think it is available this month or next to the public. The only downside to this pump for now is the lack of controller. It is supposed to be in the pipeline though. If you have the patience you may want to wait and hear what people have to say over the next few months.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by ErikS
IMHO - for a display tank over 3'? No.


And that from my experience is a perfect application for them.

Modded jets aren't bad, there are just some design issues that Tunze has overcome (i.e. tip slip).

I know a guy who's running an 8' 450 gallon tank with the modded maxis. They work fine. It seems most of the people talking crap about them havent used them.

The thing is, the Tunzes are nice, yes. But what happens when an american/japanese/korean manufacturer puts out something commercial that is basically a modded maxijet, for $30. Tunze will stop being able to sell. Designing a controlled powerhead is not tough.

The reason tunze is so expensive is because they are basically the only pump in that style, and they can charge whatever they want, because people will buy.

I see prop pumps having major improvements in the next year or two, and tunze lowering their prices drastically to compete.



FWIW, I had a tunze 6060 for a while. I sold it. Why? Because it was worth more on the forums than it was to me. The maximod was putting out as much flow, would be cheaper to maintain, and has less startup cost.

This isnt like comparing a civic with a glass pack to a 5 series. Its like comparing a Honda to an Acura. Same animal, different bells and whistles.

[ErikS]

LMAO - yep, that exactly why the American built Vortex is coming to market in the same price range as Tunze.

And I have used the maxis & there a quite a few issues with the mod.

I'd also agree that there will soon be an Asian rim import prop powerhead....but like the circulation pumps likely it will be just not quite as good.

[BlueCorn]

I still say that you can't get this kind of flow from any kind of pump alone. It's all in the controller.

[ZURCSREEF]

that definately looks like some great flow, I think I now understand it as I have never seen a tunze in person... That gives the tank more of a wave/current to the tank rather then the ripples that move the top of the water and not much more... that looks more natural, but I am still thinking whether or not its worth the money, considering many people have BEAUTIFUL reef's with just plain ol' maxijets... So basically what I am seeing out of the two differences is personal preference... and whether or not you have the money to blow on a 150$-500$ powerhead...

-Mike C. aka ZURCSREEF

[ErikS]

That would be my opinion, perhaps we should seperate out "what kind of tunze"

I've never been a fan of the AC powered line, pretty much high end Seios (though without the associated issues).

If we're talking about the 6X00 series then it's an whole different animal & nobody has come close.......yet.

[jman77]

ZURCSREEF,

Here you go....

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

[ZURCSREEF]

Thanks Jman, very appreciated.

[jman77]

"I still say that you can't get this kind of flow from any kind of pump alone. It's all in the controller."

That tank has a wavebox in it. I don't get any motion like that and i have a 7095 controller

[ZURCSREEF]

What about this for now? I am currently upgrading my sump, skimmer, lighting system and getting a Ca Reactor and I wanted to add more flow while I was add it, but these tunze are going to have to wait. I was thinking, I already have two MJ1200's, and two 3/4" returns from my MDQX 3 little giant pump, each are currently on the left and other on the right, I want to add a SCWD to my 3/4" returns, but will two more 1200's + this product I just recently found: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...id=11363&rel=1

Be sufficient enough flow for my 120g 4x2x2 reef tank? I am looking to start holding SPS soon, I already have a whole lot of softcorals... Let me know what you guys/gals think!

-Mike C. aka ZURCSREEF
P.S. Also, give me your opinion on that product I linked above... I would like to make the order on the maxijets and possibly the "deflectors" today... btw, I will only be putting the deflectors on the PH's that will be closer to the top of the tank (the others point through the bottom back of the tank)

[jman77]

I think you shouldn't bother with the deflectors.... I have 2 and don't use them. Are you going to mod the MJ's powerheads you have ?
You can put a larger prop on the MJ 1200 and get alot of flow.

[2crazyreefers]

IMO this hobby is all about what us reefers choose to do. Yes we look to places like RC, LFS and fellow reefers. In the end we all make our own decisions which is a part of the hobby that keeps us the same and different as well. It dont seem to matter wether its hardware or consumables each has their own opinion.
Fortunately I have the opprtunity to own several tanks, with the largest now being a 180 AGA which I run a Tunzee wavebox and 6080 on. IMO I would never put anything else but Tunzees in there. All my sps like it as much as I do. Big cost to buy but great flow through the whole tank, low power consumption and low heat which to me = great sps tank.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by beerguy
I still say that you can't get this kind of flow from any kind of pump alone. It's all in the controller.

Beerguy, I can get that kind of flow out of a $16 maxi jet, a $3 homer bucket, and $4 worth of plumbing. (CSD) The tunze with controller (at $500+) just does it in a smaller package.

The tunzes are WAY above what they should cost, but theres demand for them because reefers seem to have a TON of money in general. Its the same reason people pay $4000 for a skimmer, when you've got people in the DIY forum making (and selling) almost exactly the same product out of $300 in acrylic, and $250 in pumps.

Theres an issue of prestige here.

Can anyone argue that a Birka bag is really worth $4000? Theres about a 4 year waiting line for them though....

[BlueCorn]

Originally posted by RichConley
Beerguy, I can get that kind of flow out of a $16 maxi jet, a $3 homer bucket, and $4 worth of plumbing. (CSD) The tunze with controller (at $500+) just does it in a smaller package.

Okay - let's see it.

[jman77]

Homer Bucker...now that's what i'm talking about.....

Rich ....take the challenge !!!!



This is a little off topic....does anyone know if someone has taken apart a Wave Box and took pictures of the process ? I'm curious to see how one looks on the inside.

[RichConley]

Its a surge device. It is a bucket basically, and runs the pump on a cycle, so it is emptying the bucket, letting it fill, and then emptying it again.

Its the same as a CSD, except it empties with a pump, rather than a siphon, and is in tank, instead of above.

[RichConley]

Beerguy, I'm working on it. I just have to get my overflows to be able to handle it. Right now they can't handle the 2000+ gph that a 5 gallon surge bucket with 1" pipe produces sporadically. My 20g sump can't handle it either.

As for tuning it, so it works like the wavebox, and builds on resonant frequencies, just adjust the height of the stand pipe in the surge device.

[jman77]

Really ...wow i thought it was just a pump. I didn't know it had a bucket in there.

[RichConley]

It looks basically like another overflow in a RR tank. Its got a tunze inside, down near the bottom pointing out. Tunze cycles on, empties the box, then turns off, and water flows back in through the tunze.