6095's not quite enough?

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

I'm currently running a pair of 6095's in my 150g. (4x2x2) and I don't think they're quite enough to get good flow throughout the tank. I've got them running at 100% each and for sps they don't seem to fully do the job.

Does this seem accurate and if so, what pumps should I look to instead? Or should I supplement what I have?

mcarroll · Apr 30, 2018

KJoFan said:
I'm currently running a pair of 6095's in my 150g. (4x2x2) and I don't think they're quite enough to get good flow throughout the tank. I've got them running at 100% each and for sps they don't seem to fully do the job.

Does this seem accurate and if so, what pumps should I look to instead? Or should I supplement what I have?

Post a pic that shows your current setup and we can give better advice – on the current setup and on possible additions!

Off hand, adding a pair of Turbelle® nanostream® 6045's ($78 ea; non-controllable) would give you a ton of options you don't have now.

If budget isn't a problem, then consider the controllable version, the Turbelle® nanostream® 6055. Obviously they'll blend well too.

If you'd like to keep with fewer pumps (not necessarily an advantage) then consider switching up to a pair of Turbelle® stream 6105's. Only $235 ea and they come with wide and XX-wide shrouds. One or more Turbelle® stream 3's could fit into that plan as well, depending on your rockscape.

mcarroll · Apr 30, 2018

I forgot to say you can always add one or more 6095's to what you have as well.

Also, this old post might help you with planning your flow:

Craig Borowski said:
Here are some rough approximations of the flow patterns for our Stream and Nanostream powerheads. The first number is the distance (length) it will reach. The second number is the diameter of the flow towards the end of the stream (keeping in mind the diameter increases the further from the pump you measure). All numbers are in feet.

Nanostream
6015 2 x 1.5
6025 2.5 x 1.5
6045 3 x 1.5
6055 4 x 1.5
6095 3 x 3

Stream 2
6065 4 x 2
6085 5 x 2
6125 4.5-5 x 3
6105 7 x 2 (configured for narrow-flow)
6105 4.5-5 x 3 (configured for wide-flow)
6155 6 x 3
6255 7 x 3.5

rvitko · Apr 30, 2018

I agree with Matt, I would probably lean toward supplementing them with a couple 6055 or 6095's or you could replaced them with 6105's or Stream 3.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

I'll see if I can post a pic up here in a minute. Mostly, I'm debating between is it better to replace the two with two more powerful or as said, supplement with a couple more of whatever model I decide on? Budget isn't a huge issue, but I don't want to break the bank either. The current 6095's are right around 2 years old so somewhat I find it silly to replace them when they're perfectly fine. They just were bought for a smaller tank and I have since upgraded.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

Not the best but you get the idea:

solitude127 · Apr 30, 2018

with that open of a aquascape, I feel like those should be plenty. What make you think there's not enough flow?

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

solitude127 said:
with that open of a aquascape, I feel like those should be plenty. What make you think there's not enough flow?

When I watch particles floating around they don't go fast enough for my liking. lol Scientific observation, eh? I also have cyano on the sandbed, but I think that's possibly a different/nutrient issue.

solitude127 · Apr 30, 2018

KJoFan said:
When I watch particles floating around they don't go fast enough for my liking. lol Scientific observation, eh? I also have cyano on the sandbed, but I think that's possibly a different/nutrient issue.

You say your tank is 150 but you mention 4x2x2 which equates to about 120g. A normal 150g is 5x2x2. I think that extra foot will make a difference. Could you please clarify?

rvitko · Apr 30, 2018

Light spectrum can play a huge role in cyano, if that side gets some sunlight from a window, that would be my first hunch.

The 6105's will give you a higher flow velocity, you would also have just two pumps so less space taken up.

4 6095's mean more redundancy, a pump down is not an emergency then. You can also have 4 flow sources to target specific areas, but the velocity peak near the pump won't be as high, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

solitude127 said:
You say your tank is 150 but you mention 4x2x2 which equates to about 120g. A normal 150g is 5x2x2. I think that extra foot will make a difference. Could you please clarify?

Typo on my part. It's 5x2x2.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

rvitko said:
Light spectrum can play a huge role in cyano, if that side gets some sunlight from a window, that would be my first hunch.

The 6105's will give you a higher flow velocity, you would also have just two pumps so less space taken up.

4 6095's mean more redundancy, a pump down is not an emergency then. You can also have 4 flow sources to target specific areas, but the velocity peak near the pump won't be as high, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

I think the cyano is from a carbon source of dosing for nutrient control and then bottoming out my PO4 and nearly bottoming out NO3. I believe a separate issue from the flow, but figure it wouldn't hurt to be able to increase the flow to help eradicate once I get nutrients on the right path and longer term ceasing of carbon dosing.

Anyway, seems like options are fairly open and there's no wrong answer here. The new Streams look nice, but maybe a little more power and size than I need in this tank?

solitude127 · Apr 30, 2018

IMO, that'll be plenty of flow for now. If you decide to go with SPS and as they become colonies, then maybe consider upping the flow.
Also, I'm not a believer in adding more flow if you have a cyano issue. I've pointed a powerhead directly on a rock that had cyano and it didn't phase it one bit.

rvitko · Apr 30, 2018

More than anything the Stream 3 is a larger pump and would be hard to hide without more rock work.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

solitude127 said:
IMO, that'll be plenty of flow for now. If you decide to go with SPS and as they become colonies, then maybe consider upping the flow.
Also, I'm not a believer in adding more flow if you have a cyano issue. I've pointed a powerhead directly on a rock that had cyano and it didn't phase it one bit.

As I said, I am not blaming flow for cyano. But, once I fix the issue I think IS causing it, it won't hurt to have some flow to help move it on out for good and hopefully not come back.

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

I appreciate the input from all. I'll just have to see what the budget allows for in the upcoming months. Seems like many paths to choose from going forward.

Davy Jones · Apr 30, 2018

Personally I like the idea of more 6095's. As said above it will help by being able to position them as needed to eliminate dead spots and help with different flow patterns.

The major drawback is of course price and more pumps in the display. But ive always found that the pumps become invisible dang near when the display is looking good

mcarroll · Apr 30, 2018

Dirtrider225 said:
But ive always found that the pumps become invisible dang near when the display is looking good

There it is, eh? ;Smuggrin

KJoFan · Apr 30, 2018

Dirtrider225 said:
Personally I like the idea of more 6095's. As said above it will help by being able to position them as needed to eliminate dead spots and help with different flow patterns.

The major drawback is of course price and more pumps in the display. But ive always found that the pumps become invisible dang near when the display is looking good

Well, right. Obviously I'm not real hung up on pumps in the display. So, the potential size of the Stream doesn't bother me. It's not like you can't see those 6095's in there.

I kind of prefer the Tunze for the fact you can re-direct them. Sure, right now they're pretty obvious but that's because the tank is young and there's really nothing in there. I'll probably look into additional 6095's or maybe some 6055's.