Tunze performance with ON/OFF wavemaker??

no_sushi_for_you · 09-09-2007, 07:45 PM

Does anybody have success in running Tunze Nanostream powerheads on a ON/OFF timer to create different flow patterns?

I am thinking of setting up 4 powerheads in my tank and running them on a timer to come on and off every 30 minutes or so in alternating ways. I am reading the Tunze Nanostreams have some problems coming back up consistently if done this way (or makes a lot of noise).

Has anybody experimented with this?
Does it kill the powerhead's life running in 30 minute bursts?
Is the the Koralia a better performer in this type of ON/OFF setup?

slant77 · 09-09-2007, 08:13 PM

When I ran mine I had it one all the time so I cant help you on that. Roger has stated it will shorting the life span a little but as long as it is atleast 15min the pump should still last about 5 years.

no_sushi_for_you · 09-09-2007, 08:30 PM

Who is Roger?

I keep hearing his name and I am guessing he is the Tunze Rep.

How can I contact him with my ON/OFF question?

ckusnierek · 09-09-2007, 08:38 PM

If you want a "cheap" wave maker. Just get a few modded maxijets. They are safe on a timer and are cheap. There was a thread on here the other days about a new nicer looking mod.

no_sushi_for_you · 09-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Aqualight Power Center

I was thinking of getting this "power strip" with timers on it. It would allow me to set up 4 pumps in two pairs to alternate flow in the tank on time increments down to 15 minutes if I wanted.

I wanted to get the Tunze Nanostream 6025 since it looks like for the size it packs the best punch in terms of flow (after mod).

The only difference I see with a wavemachine and a timer, is that the wavemachine could reduce the current to the pump and not shut it off. The timer would be a hard stop.

I am just trying to see if anybody else had a Tunze set up on a ON/OFF timer and if they were having problems on powerhead restarts with the pump spinning in reverse and not correcting itself.

Hop · 09-09-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_sushi_for_you

Aqualight Power Center

I was thinking of getting this "power strip" with timers on it. It would allow me to set up 4 pumps in two pairs to alternate flow in the tank on time increments down to 15 minutes if I wanted.

I wanted to get the Tunze Nanostream 6025 since it looks like for the size it packs the best punch in terms of flow (after mod).

The only difference I see with a wavemachine and a timer, is that the wavemachine could reduce the current to the pump and not shut it off. The timer would be a hard stop.

I am just trying to see if anybody else had a Tunze set up on a ON/OFF timer and if they were having problems on powerhead restarts with the pump spinning in reverse and not correcting itself.

I would run a search on RC in regards to that timer. You may see a few homes left in a fine ash from the fires...

fyrfytr1717 · 09-09-2007, 09:24 PM

I can't tell you in regards to the Tunze's, but I have first hand experience with the Koralia's and I would imagine you would have a similar result. I have two of the K4's and I run them 20 hours on and 4 hours off. While I imagine that constantly turning them on and off wouldn't be the greatest for their lifespan, I have them cycle only once a day due to the noise. I have not had problems with them restarting, but when they do restart they often times make a "clacking" noise. My MJ's on the other hand are nearly silent as they cycle on and off randomly about every 5 minutes.

As for the Koralia's clacking noise on start up, they are designed to do that so they will push water the right way. They are a directional powerhead and since they run on AC current there is a 50/50 chance that they will start out spinning the wrong direction on start up. If they do, the force of the propeller pushing water backwards lifts the impeller out of the motor and slides it up the metal rod running through its center. Once the motor is no longer spinning the impeller, it drops back down and tries again. If it's going the right way, it keeps spinning. If it is the wrong way again, it repeats the above process...

no_sushi_for_you · 09-09-2007, 09:42 PM

Hop - thanks for the heads up. I will do some more research on that product.

Fyr - I am curious to why you have your powerheads on a 20 hour on, 4 hour off cycle?

no_sushi_for_you · 09-09-2007, 10:15 PM

Hop - I think I found the link to the house fire you were talking about. At least their tank melted putting out their fire but not before destroying the power strip pictured above. It looks a little different in the picture than it does in the ad.

Maybe I can ask for the "Fire Resistant" model instead.

no_sushi_for_you · 09-10-2007, 10:57 AM

nice photo block by Reef Central....sorry

fyrfytr1717 · 09-10-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_sushi_for_you

Fyr - I am curious to why you have your powerheads on a 20 hour on, 4 hour off cycle?

Well, here's how it came about... Flow in my tank includes my Velocity T3 return split into two, two MJ 1200's, and two Koralia 4's. I run them all on an AquaController Junior. The return is on all the time (except during feeding, the MJ's are on a program to randomly cycle on and off sometime between 1-5 minutes to create random flow, and my intent with the K4's was to use them to create somewhat of a "tidal" flow. They are on either side of the tank facing toward the front center.

I started out with them on alternate cycles of 8 hours on and 4 hours off to alternate the direction of the flow in the tank (4 hours L->R, 4 hours both, 4 hours R->L, 4 hours both, repeat) but I got tired of hearing the clacking when they started up. I then tried 16 hours on and 8 hours off on alternating cycles but decided that I didn't like having a K4 off for 8 hours at a time as they provide a substantial portion of my in-tank flow. So now it's at 20 hours on and 4 hours off on alternating cycles. This still gives me some periods of alternating current but doesn't reduce the in-flow tank for too much of the day. (The twice a day clacking still lets me know when it is 2am or 2pm though

)

fish.freak · 09-10-2007, 03:13 PM

when I turn my tunze off and back on it is a bt loud for a min or two, or until i fiddle with it.

slant77 · 09-10-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_sushi_for_you

Who is Roger?

I keep hearing his name and I am guessing he is the Tunze Rep.

How can I contact him with my ON/OFF question?

Yes he is the american tunze rep located in texas. I contact him threw pms at reef central. He checks most weekdays. If you send an email to tunze they will forward it to him. 512-833-7546 is his phone number.

no_sushi_for_you · 09-10-2007, 07:48 PM

Slant - thanks for the info on "Roger Tunze"

Fish_Freak - which Tunze do you have? Are they loud when they are running? Do you ever have to manually start it back up correctly?

Fyr - do you think the alternate flow is worth it? I really like the GPH and the wide flow pattern of the Tunze or other powerheads like it but they are not the most compatible with wavemachines.

fish.freak · 09-10-2007, 07:58 PM

I have the 6025 and it is silent when running, but it is noisy on start up for a min or so, but I usually adjust it before then by hand.