Sea swirl vs Tunze stream?

[jks1]

I am looking to add more flow to a 210 SPS/Clam reef. I currently have a CL system fed from a MAG24, and a MAG 24 as a return pump. This seems to keep detritus in suspension but doesnt quite provide the turbulence I was wanting. I am trying to decide between adding 2 -1" sea swirls on opposite ends of the tank or to add a TS12 kit (2 Tunze stream 6100 w/ controller). The sea swirls seem to be less of an eye-sore, but not sure on their reliability. Ive heard excellent thing on the Tunze, but have never seen one in operation.

Id be interested in any opinions out there from folks that have either of these devices.

 

[mojoreef]

Streams hands down!!! Great to see you back at RF JOhn


Mike

 

[jks1]

Thanks Mike, glad to be back!!

 

[kevinpo]

I prefer the Sea Swirls without a doubt The Tunze units are poorly designed for the price. They are also very intrusive and difficult to mount.

Kevin

 

[jazznreef]

i like my sea swirls a lot and have never had a problem with them. never used tunzes but i suppose they put out heat and are more of an eye sore. my next tank (if i ever finish it) will have a motorized ball valve for the closed loop which seems to be favored around here.

 

[RobinL]

I prefer the Reef Rat simular to the Swirls but no orings and very reliable.The streams are to bulky for my taste.Now there is knock off of the streams called SEIO not the same but close they have no controller thoughbut I am sure there working on it.Seio have really taken off here in Canada.

 

[jks1]

For those sea swirl enthusiasts, I would like to run 2 1" swirls on a single submersible pump- any recommendations on pump size? The tank footprint is 84x24x24.

 

[wooddood]

well ive been lookin into the seio's also and think i'll give them a try. i know ra (refferaddict) runs 2 of then so you might ask him. and a whole lot less money too.



dave.

 

[jks1]

Thanks Dave, Ill look into it

 

[mojoreef]

The reason I suggested the tunze was for more flow and more manipulation. I never did like the site of the seaswirls hanging down in the tank. I heard the newer SS type got rid of the poor linkage, anyone know about that??


Mike

 

[kevinpo]

The problem with the S.S. was a couple of bad batches of motors with defective gears. They caused the rotation to stop as the gear teeth stripped. They have since changed motor brands. I have several 3/4" units that have been running for 3 years now.

I also run 2 of the Tunze stream 6100's with the 4 unit controller. They use very low power and have the motor driver located outside the tank so the heat addition is very low. I also bought the optional mounting kits just to make sure I would have everything on hand to install them. I still needed to make a custom holder (on a glass tank this would not be a problem). The plastic mounting brackets are not very sturdy. One of them broke after just a couple of weeks in operation.

IMO for tanks up to 180 gal these units provide excellent flow but for really large tanks (300+ gal) a larger unit would be needed (I hear they have one coming out soon). Price is the other factor to consider. I think that S.S. are expensive also. You can buy 4 of the 3/4" (850 gph ea.) models for about the same price as 2 of the Tunze 6100's (3170 gph ea.) with the controller so for gph the Tunze units provide more gph but IME the S.S. provide more coverage and are less intrusive.

I don't want anyone to think that either brand is perfect or terrible just the pros and cons so you can choose the proper product for your application.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[jks1]

I know what you mean Mike, but I actually thought the swirls would be less of an eyesore because I have a 2 island aquascape plan and I dont think I could conceal the tunze in the rock piles. Another concern was that I have some lower flow critters (clams, ricordea, mushrooms) on the bottom of the tank on a 1" sandbed and I was concerned about churning this up. With the sea swirls at the top of the water column I was thinking this would be minimized. I also still have the CL running, but wanted to try and break up some of the laminar flow.

 

[marinelife]

TUNZE!!!!! All the way I have the same kit and it is great, i have been running them for a while now and have not had any trouble with them.

 

[mojoreef]

Thanks for the info Kev, my problem was always bumping into them, lol.

I hear ya john, I have not had the tunze so I am just speaking from what I have heard. Pick the one that best suite the applicaion you want. they seem to have the same type of pros and cons.


Mike

 

[Ed Hahn]

John,
The one inch Sea Swirls make a little noise while operating. You may want to stick with 3/4 inch Sea Swirls.
JMO
Ed