Thought I'd share my latest toy - the Tunze Turbelle 7200 powerhead and 7091 controller. *
This is no ordinary powerhead. It's big and really puts out. I got the smallest turbelle model and it still puts out 635 gph. *
What's interesting is the bigger models are actually the same pump, but the transformer is different so it uses more watts to get more gph. The biggest one, the 7400 I think, puts out over 1000 gph.
Last night I had to do what anyone who has Tunze products has to do - figure out how to mount this thing on an american tank. They are designed for Euro tanks without molding on the top of the tank. Luckily this wasn't too bad as I figured out the MaxiJet 1200 suction cup bracket fit in the rail and I could hold it there with a plastic Tunze bolt and nut. (Tunze now makes magnetic holders that work similar to magnetic glass cleaners - one piece hooks up to the pump, the other goes on the outside of the tank. These are Godsend for us in the USA and as a result the first batch blew off the shelf and now I and many others are on a waiting list.)
THe hard part ended up being how to replace the massive intake strainer with a smaller one. (Tunze does make a smaller one, but I didn't feel like waiting for delivery.)
I ended up taking a hacksaw to an intake tube off a spare TetraTec 150 filter. This actually fit flush in the Tunze coupling.
WIth that, I just hooked it up.
Holy smokes! *
I immediately had to turn it down. I am nuts and put this thing on a 20 long. heh. I am probably using a 1/4 of full power now at max setting.
My motivation was my grumpy hammer coral which convinced me I needed more circulation. Between lack there of and my new huge turbo snail that kept knocking him over, he's never looked worse for wear. It's been a half hour now and the hammer is seriously digging the pulses this thing puts out. I think I might have saved him. Now I just have to putty him to the rock so the turbo doesn't bother him anymore.
Anyway back to the pulses, this thing is neat with the optional controller. I can set min and max setting and it has a feed button to turn it off for 5 minutes during feeding. I also got the optional photocell which will mellow it out to 50% at night.
THe photocell is key for me because I think my fish will need a rest! Plus it has added a bit of a 'washing machine' noise to the tank. It's not really loud but noticable. The instructions do say it needs a week to break in and it should be much quiter. So I will be patient.
Other than that, my only other gripe would be the max duration between min and max setting could be longer in my opinion. It's a little less than 10 seconds. If it was 30 seconds I'd be psyched.
I am impressed with the craftsmanship although not surprised - it's Tunze - (that's why it costs so much - $200 for the pump and $55 for the controller and $15 for the photocell.) It easily comes apart for cleaning and the instructions are actually very thorough with regards to disassembly and cleaning. Actually these are the best instructions I've had from Tunze compared to the Osmomot ones.
This thing rocks and the 7200 model would easily work on up to a 75 gallon or any 4 foot tank.
If a Tunze Stream pump is too much for your tank, consider the Turbelle. *
matt
