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Tunse vs. vortec?

sgarron

sgarron

NJRC Member
I am planning a little upgrade to my power heads. I can't decide between the Tunze 6101 kit (2 powerheads and multicontroller) or the Vortec kit (2 powerheads, 2 drivers, controller and 1 battery back up). They are both about the same price, just not sure which is better. Any opinions?
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
The Tunzes are larger than the vortechs but they CAN be angled inside the tank so if you want flow going in any way other than straight across the tank, this is your only option. The Vortechs can't be angled, but they're a tad bit smaller and the heat is external to the tank. The battery backup is a nice feature on the vortech.

I can't comment on the vortech controller since I never did get one of those. I had the vortech & driver. I have 2 tunzes and a multi controller now.
 
D

DaveK

When I hade to make a similar choice I went with the Tunze streams and their multicontroller. As pointed out, you can angle the pump.

To be fair, at the time the Vortech pumps were brand new, and I felt Tunze had a better reputation in the hobby.

I will say it paid off. I messed up the propeller covers by cleaning them with water that was way way too hot, and deformed them. However, I was able to easily purchase replacement parts on Tunze's web site. This is an important consideration when you are investing that sort of money.
 
RichT

RichT

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I have one on each end (vortech) of a 6' tank. There isn't a spot without current. The water movement in the tank is better then great. Now with the Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) its even better with random flow.

IMO!!!!:
Advantages of the Vortech: No electricity or heat in the tank, uses very little in tank real estate.
Advantages of Tunze: Ability to angle, long term track record/reliability, proven technology.

My observations/further opinion: The angle-ability of the tunze is necessary because many that have them have them positioned as close to the back panel of the tank as they can mainly for aesthetics (guessing). Therefore, to get the flow to spread more readily into the center of the tank it is necessary to angle them. If the user was to mount them in the center of the side panel, similar flow would be realized at the center of the tank. Problem is, the Tunze are very large and not very attractive (not that the vortechs are a beauty queen)and take up a good bit of valuable aquascape space (unless your tank is very large). The Vortechs are quite small relative to their output and the size of the Tunze. Placing the Vortech in the center of the side panel is a lot less obtrusive and produces the desired flow at the center of the tank (for me anyway).

These are my experiences and observations, your experience may vary. And as Phyl has mentioned in other threads; "there are many ways to skin a fish". Ask a reefer what the best skimmer is and most will reply "mine".



Demonstration on a closed course by a professional driver. Do not try this at home ;D
 
sgarron

sgarron

NJRC Member
Rich,

If I put the Vortecson each end, one would be about 6 ft from my spot on the couch. Is noise an issue?

And I would have to say that a modded ASM is the best skimmer...LOL.
 
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