Tang37

[Tang37]

I have an Aqua Medic Xenia 130 reef tank. It's 110 gallon (425L).

I have mostly LPS corals and i want to have couple SPS too.

Right now i use 2x Tunze 6055 on pulse mode from 50% to 100% power. I feel there is not enough flow, i have dead spots and the flow could be wider. But i LOVE that they are dead silent in pulse and i want to keep that.

Now i have 2 options (or more?):

First option:
I could buy Tunze 7097 controller and 2x Tunze 6095 power heads. I would use ALL 4 Tunze pumps with this controller. 2x 6095 in top back corners, 2x 6055 in lower back corners or one in a corner and other in the middle. I would set them on random flow up to 60% power, because all 4 on 100% would be too much.
I believe 6095 is as quiet as 6055 so noise shouldn't be higher?

Second option:
I could sell 2x 6055 and buy 2x Vortech MP10w QD or even 2x Vortech MP40w QD. If i understand correctly, Vortech is superior in flow so 2 pumps would be enough, probably even MP10s. People say they are much better in term of flow and elimination of dead spots. But i'm worried about noise. I can find a lot of comments about problems with this pumps and noise levels. Even if it works perfectly, it's probably noisier then Tunze 6095? And it's expensive.

Third option:
Not sure.

What would you do?

 

[ihavecrabs]

Hmm good question. Hopefully some Tunze people comment also since I do not have any experience with those power heads.

I can say that I use two MP40's on my 60x30x20 (LxWxH) and get phenomenal flow from them. I also appreciate the complex programs I can set up for them (shifting from a lagoon style to reef crest and even pulsing for a few hours) controlled through the apex. I do supplement with two additional power heads due to the width of the tank and my goals of being more SPS dominated.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Tang37]

I like the option of 2 Vortech MP40w qd to work together so i don't need a controller. I'l also use them at lower power, not 100%. So noise should really be minimum. But the price is very high compared to anything else and if i'll get a noisy pump i'll be very unhappy.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I like the option of 2 Vortech MP40w qd to work together so i don't need a controller. I'l also use them at lower power, not 100%. So noise should really be minimum. But the price is very high compared to anything else and if i'll get a noisy pump i'll be very unhappy.

Well to be transparent, they are not silent by any means. On pulse or high % they tend to have a humming noise.

Probably best to find a reefer local to you to visit and play around with them/listen to them on different modes and different power levels.

For me, the sound doesn't bother me so I'm probably not the best person to ask their opinion on noise haha.