Rhodes19,
I prefer to run powerheads for all the reasons Skimmy mentioned in the beginning of this thread, and for a few others.
I currently run a 120 BB tank with four Tunze 6105's in it. I run a gyre style pattern, (two Streams on blowing one way, then two Streams on blowing the other way…IE All Streams are located in the upper corners of the tank. Front right and back left run at same time pushing water clockwise. Then front left and back right kick on pushing water counter clockwise) that also alternates between full on, and 65% power.
I used to run a 58 gallon BB tank with a closed loop. An Iwaki 55 RLT pushed about 1100 gph through an OM 4 way unit and down through 4 outlets that each split into two, (8 outlets total).
My design of the closed loop and choice of pump added significantly to my electrical useage, and to the temp of the tank. Because of the heat, I had to run a chiller, (even in the basement of my home). Because I had to use a chiller, my tank used more than 10 amps of electricity, (it was 10 just with the closed loop and the chiller alone. Never mind the lights or anything else.
I now use significantly less electricity to run the 120, and don’t require a chiller anymore. Tank is still in the basement.
The main reasons I chose to go with the Tunze Streams were the lower electricity usage per pump and the modularity of the set up.
Less electricity used meant less heat getting to the tank, and lower operating costs. The modularity was important because if I ever lost a Stream due malfunction/breakage etc, I wanted to be able to just send the damaged/non working one back and still not have any issues with the system working. With those goals in mind I have been much more successful with this system than I was with the 58 gallon system.
Whatever route you choose, I would strongly caution you to think worst case scenario when setting up your system. What can go wrong and how rapidly and easily can you fix it.
If you’re going closed loop, what happens when your CL pump dies? Do you have a spare? How hard is it to get to the CL pump and replace it? What randomizes your CL flow, (motorized ball valve, Oceans Motions Unit etc) and what happens if that dies on you? Do you have a spare? Can you quickly and easily replace the faulty part? Does it require maintenance? Can you quickly and easily reach the part for the scheduled maintenance? If not, you wont be doing it often.
Plumbing:
Are you prepared for a crack in the plumbing? What happens if your CL intake gets clogged. How easy is it to get to for cleaning?
All of these questions apply for the powerhead side of things as well.
As far as the anemone goes….
I have two Ritteri anemones. I’ve had one for 5.5 years, and the other for not quite a year. Both are in tanks with Tunze Streams providing flow. My advice on keeping anemones with power heads is this:
If you’re determined to have an anemone, decide which species you want, and design an environment for it. Anemones wander because they are looking for their ideal conditions. Provide them with ideal conditions, and they wont wander.
Hope that helps or at the very least, makes you ask yourself some questions and think about what could go wrong, before it does.
Nick
