6255 Random Mode?

naterealbig · Apr 10, 2020

Hi - am i able to run a plain random flow program for the 6255 right out of the box?

Thank you!

Flippers4pups · Apr 10, 2020

rvitko · Apr 10, 2020

In nature flow is not generally random, it is waves and currents driven by wind that follow long patterns and inflow and outflow of tides that follow rhythmic roughly 6 hour patterns. It is known that corals "learn" these patterns and deploy polyps to catch food when these pattern changes are anticipated. Shimek had a study on this several years ago and you will see the same discussion in articles by Vincent Chalias about the natural conditions of many acros in Australia, they live in an area where everyday at a certain time their is an inflow of plankton and nutrients and they feed at this time and then they are again in clean pure water. In all aspects of this hobby, some things are toys to please the hobbyist and have little to do with natural conditions, we indulge this to some extent, but the science is relatively clear that really random chaotic flow is generally not the best for coral feeding response and growth. The pumps natively have two modes, pulse which is a rhythmic pulsing between two speeds at 2-10 seconds and wave, which is a true wave generation mode. When connected two pumps can be run synchronously or inverse. The closest we come to a random flow is the 7096 and 7097 has a potential overlay where an additional 3rd idle speed can be added that will occasionally kick in and disrupt the regular pulse, these controllers also have a storm mode which creates a storm that is brief and preprogrammed at a daily to weekly schedule . You can of course connect our pumps to a Profilux or Apex and set almost anything you wish but our general advice is to mimic the three natural conditions, waves, tides, and a periodic storm to clean the reef but this should be relatively predictable.

naterealbig · Apr 10, 2020

rvitko said:
In nature flow is not generally random, it is waves and currents driven by wind that follow long patterns and inflow and outflow of tides that follow rhythmic roughly 6 hour patterns. It is known that corals "learn" these patterns and deploy polyps to catch food when these pattern changes are anticipated. Shimek had a study on this several years ago and you will see the same discussion in articles by Vincent Chalias about the natural conditions of many acros in Australia, they live in an area where everyday at a certain time their is an inflow of plankton and nutrients and they feed at this time and then they are again in clean pure water. In all aspects of this hobby, some things are toys to please the hobbyist and have little to do with natural conditions, we indulge this to some extent, but the science is relatively clear that really random chaotic flow is generally not the best for coral feeding response and growth. The pumps natively have two modes, pulse which is a rhythmic pulsing between two speeds at 2-10 seconds and wave, which is a true wave generation mode. When connected two pumps can be run synchronously or inverse. The closest we come to a random flow is the 7096 and 7097 has a potential overlay where an additional 3rd idle speed can be added that will occasionally kick in and disrupt the regular pulse, these controllers also have a storm mode which creates a storm that is brief and preprogrammed at a daily to weekly schedule . You can of course connect our pumps to a Profilux or Apex and set almost anything you wish but our general advice is to mimic the three natural conditions, waves, tides, and a periodic storm to clean the reef but this should be relatively predictable.

Thank you for your insight and guidance Roger - and I am happy to accept your advice. I ask, as I am currently planning flow for my new 6ftx4ftx1.8ft display. Can you let me know which equipment and settings you would recommend? The one requirement is that ALL of the pumps are one one side of the aquairum - so the flow much reach a full 6 ft. I like the idea of random flow as I feel it will help keep the tank cleaner, but I am open to try new things.

Best Regards

rvitko · Apr 10, 2020

I can say from experience this will be difficult to do. My last tank was a similar layout. I used the Stream 3 6150. The 6255 is stronger but the flow is wider and doesn't reach quite as far. The 6255 recently got an update and the flow is now around 4500 gph, they switched to a smaller propeller to reduce noise and increase the durability. I suspect you will find as I did that unless you can be happy with a tank that the last foot or so is mushrooms and zoas, you will need to add something. I did two 6055's hidden in Nano Stream rocks. I think either the 6155, 6255 or 6150's are good candidates, but the flow for the last foot will be in a lower flow range that definitely won't support SPS. From that experience my current tank is just a standard back against the wall. Another option could be if the tank has some more substantial trim or a canopy that can hide something at the top, you could add a sea sweep or sea swirl.

naterealbig · Apr 11, 2020

Hi Roger, and thank you for letting me know. Despite this disappointing news for me, I'm glad you spoke up about it before I spent the money on the pumps. I actually just sold my brand new MP60's with plans on using the 6255's (with the higher flow rate), as they were the only reliable pump on the market (that I could afford) that could get the job done across the full 6 feet. Use of pumps on one side of the aquarium is a hard requirement for my setup. The stand was built a couple years ago for this system, and will not allow for a closed loop, and is rimless, so I will not be using a canopy. The back is clear and will be up against a blue-painted wall, and I really did not any visible cords on any other sides of the tank. I don't suppose the new-style 6255's could be retrofitted with the larger (old) propeller, and serviceable long-term?

rvitko · Apr 13, 2020

The flow rate change is pretty trivial, they lost about 400 gph. The gain though is substantial, 10 db less noise and a 4-6 month service interval vs 2-3. If you previously had success with the 6255 delivering enough flow at 6ft, that won't change. To me though, the flow is too low. I find that typically detritus will pile at the far end with this type of flow pattern and the velocity is down enough to not be sufficient for some corals. I would not advise the bigger propeller, the motor coil changed and this was most of the key to lowering the heat and lowering the rate of calcification, with the new motor, what will happen is the bigger propeller will spin slower and you will not see a real gain. We only made this change because their was a substantial improvement to doing so.

naterealbig · Apr 13, 2020

rvitko said:
The flow rate change is pretty trivial, they lost about 400 gph. The gain though is substantial, 10 db less noise and a 4-6 month service interval vs 2-3. If you previously had success with the 6255 delivering enough flow at 6ft, that won't change. To me though, the flow is too low. I find that typically detritus will pile at the far end with this type of flow pattern and the velocity is down enough to not be sufficient for some corals. I would not advise the bigger propeller, the motor coil changed and this was most of the key to lowering the heat and lowering the rate of calcification, with the new motor, what will happen is the bigger propeller will spin slower and you will not see a real gain. We only made this change because their was a substantial improvement to doing so.

This is great news Roger - thank you. I read your post wrong, and assumed the point that the Tunze may not be best to run the full 6 feet was associated with the new design. Reading your last post is a relief - please see the video below for the flow model I was assuming.... This is a 72"x48"x24" reef, using only 2 x 6255's against the back wall (peninsula). While the flow isn't terribly strong, it looks good enough to support SPS towards the end of the tank. Additionally, I will have much less rock work..... 3 main islands, with lots of negative space. Finally, it will be a bare bottom setup, which I find allows for greater volumetric flow rate (the sand creates more friction than most would think).

credit for the video goes to @this is me

rvitko · Apr 13, 2020

You have a beautiful aquarium. Likely my results were not so good (using 6150) because I had a lot more rock and I have never been a fan of no sand. I tried it twice and felt like with sand sand dwelling animals ate the detritus and without, it just piled up, I like the look of sand too much.

naterealbig · Apr 13, 2020

rvitko said:
You have a beautiful aquarium. Likely my results were not so good (using 6150) because I had a lot more rock and I have never been a fan of no sand. I tried it twice and felt like with sand sand dwelling animals ate the detritus and without, it just piled up, I like the look of sand too much.

Hi Roger - I cannot take credit for this piece of art - see the owner's build thread here.

Large Build - Nick's 360 Gallons Reef Tank with Angels

First off, let’s start with the tank. The tank was delivered October of 2015. Other than the initial inspection, it was crated back up and has been sitting in my garage. Tank dimension is 72”x48”x24” and holds ~360gallons. It was built by Miracle. Miracle also made the stand for it. The tank is...

www.reef2reef.com

I did reference the system, as my display will be the same dimensions. I agree with you - I much prefer the look of sand. I'm a lazy reefer however, so I'll paint the bottom white and live with the fact that I can't have my cake and eat it too!