Tunze/Spraybar/Powerheads

Viv · 06-16-2005, 12:09 PM

Could someone explain the differences between these three? Is one better than another? I hear alot about tunze but don't quite understand how it is reaching all the areas of the tank, ie; does the head revolve?, whereas oscillating power heads have some range but a forceful flow only in the middle of the waterflow and not too much at the edges, the spraybar is a steady stream aimed behind the LR....is one better for CLS as opposed to an overflow tank? Is it a matter of personal preference, price etc or is one better than another?

Melissa · 06-16-2005, 12:48 PM

Viv,
Tunze is a company who makes all kinds of equipment for reef tanks. They have several different kinds of powerheads, among other things, that you can use to supply flow in your tank. Check out their site here: www.tunze.com to see their products. THere are diagrams and photos there that explain a lot of the questions you're asking.

I have one Tunze Stream which supplies most of the flow in my tank. They are very reliable and have many features. The controller can be purchased with the Streams to allow you to set surges, night mode using a photo cell, and a food timer so that you don't forget to turn them back on after feeding.

They also have a wave box which looks really cool! It is a surge device that literally moves all the water in the tank back and forth.

Tunze products are expensive, but they are worth it. You'll not be disappointed should you decide to go with them.

There is a Tunze forum in the Sponsor section where you can ask questions about their products. Roger is very quick to respond.

Hope this helps some. What are you trying to accomplish? How big is your tank?

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 12:59 PM

Viv, another advantage the Tunze have over traditional power heads is the flow they create. It is spread over a wider area and much more effective for flow loving animals and they make ALOT of it! The spray bars are primarily used to keep things clean in the hard top reach areas behind the rock work or under it while adding flow to the tank. They are very good at this if designed well. Ive had one in my 55 and am building one in my 150.

Robert

xtopher · 06-16-2005, 03:51 PM

tunze turbelle's are better than powerheads b/c they have a wider flow spray out for lack of better explaination

Viv · 06-16-2005, 05:49 PM

Thanks, sounds like Tunze is the way to go, will check out there web site, thankyou...Melissa to answer your question, my tank is 6ftX4ftx2ft (its an oceanic with two overflows in each corner), I'm in the process of dismantling and moving it to another location-when I put it back together I plan to start from scratch, hopefully BB, with mostly SPS , acropora, lobophyllia, Porites, Turbinaria and some softies such as Dendronephthya and gorgonians...anyway the tank will be empty so I figured no better time to place the circulation stuff.

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 05:52 PM

If its going to be empty why not drill for a CLS? This will keep the tank uncluttered with equipment and you can run an entire flow system with one pump. Also a spray bar would be a good idea if your going to go BB, it keeps under the rock clean.

Robert

Viv · 06-16-2005, 06:05 PM

Gees Robert, I'd love to go that way, the back is glass, and well I put everything together with soft tubing... I'm willing to change it but am wondering if I'm capable of drilling through the glass without making it fracture...the overflows have bulkheads, would I just plug them? Do you think I could drill without fracturing the glass?

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 06:10 PM

Yes you could. Patients and the right tools. A Dremel and diamond bit will do it. Geoff has done several projects this way even with the tank being set up! Maybe just drill two holes for the spray bar and then intakes for the pump, in order to reduce the drilling you could do the rest of the returns in an over the top fashion. This way you would eliminate a great deal of pipe hanging in your tank. Go check out the DIY forum and search for drilling. With a tank that big make sure youre willing to do it!
It can be done for sure though!

Robert

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 06:11 PM

If you dont want to drill go the over the back route!

Robert

Viv · 06-16-2005, 06:32 PM

sorry for the slow responses, storms raging outside affecting the computer...I never thought I could do the drilling...I really would like to get this done right, I will check out the DIY forum, thanks again,,, if I did do the drilling and included the spraybar would this take the place of the tunze or is this an extra or not needed at all?

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 06:42 PM

If you drill, all your flow can be done with one pump and plumbing system. Heres a pic of the plumbing on my 150 for an idea. The center plumbing is 1 1/2" and is the intake for the Sequence Barracuda. The outer ring of PVC is the return system. First, after the "T" each side feed a 3/4" bulkhead that feeds a common spraybar. Then, each side goes up and along the top where each side feeds two 3/4" bulkheads with Lock Line and 3" nozzles just under the surface in the tank. The ball valves are there in case I want to give the spray bar an extra blast of water to do a little extra cleaning. The reason the spray bar getts fed first is that they require alot of water volume. HTH

motorslave · 06-16-2005, 06:44 PM

There will be no need for any power heads or other flow devices in the tank. There will be one thing to plug in with tru union ball valves on each side of the pump I can disconect it easily for sevice.

Robert

Viv · 06-17-2005, 01:57 AM

Lol, was checking out pics of your tank last nite in photos! Are you happy with your setup and the flow it provides? The drilling looks kinda scary or I should say the thought of screwing it up is kinda scary, but I guess I could always buy some glass and practice it first. Would you change any part of your setup? Is there any downside to doing any of this? would it be worth utilizing the intake and return holes in each corner (in overflow box) for something or should they just be plugged?