New House and Tank Build (1 Viewer)

[tas5tas]

Closed loops are old school and HUGE energy hogs. I'll take some Vortechs or Tunzes over a closed loop anyday. Just the energy draw from 1 Hammerhead would cost you about $33 a month to run. My 2 Vortechs cost me about $6.50 a month for both with them being ran on reefcrest......that's saving me almost $28 a month. Not to mention they are more contollable than a closed loop.

 

[CBBSteve]

All that about energy savings is true, but you still have to look at power heads in your tank...

It's my opinion that the overall look of the tank is just so much cleaner without equipment hanging all over the place...

good luck,
Steve

 

[tas5tas]

I can't even see my vortechs in my tank....especially from across the room. Now Koralia's or the old style Tunzes....that's a different story, but the new Tunzes and Vortechs are small enough that they are hard to notice.

 

[SVVAD]

If you can see your power heads that just means your tank is too small

 

[CBBSteve]

If you can see your power heads that just means your tank is too small

Good one!!

 

[Guest]

Powehead Pros:
- More energy effecient
- More easily adjustable (redirect flow)
- Less drilling
- Better resale value on the tank (if need be)

 

[chriskb3]

i mean i could have 7 vortechs and only use about 200 watts. that's over 21000 gph!

I'm working on this part now :twisted:

Good luck with the new house, it took me close to 6 months before I could even get around to thinking about moving my tank into my new house.

 

[mario8402]

^+1
my tank stayed at my apt for about 3 weeks after I moved to my house

 

[AquaNerd]

yeah, i'll have about 10 days to get the tank transferred over...unless someone buys it all. pretty much a dream at this point.

 

[cliner]

Don't forget, your gonna need a LAWNMOWER!!! LOL

 

[crvz]

Don't forget, your gonna need a LAWNMOWER!!! LOL

I recommend a honda. Absolutely superb, worth every penny.

 

[mario8402]

lawnmower, shed, weedeater, shovels, flowers, leaf blowers, gas cans, water hose , sprinklers, tools... i havent stopped buying cr@p since I got my house lol its worth it though!

I recommend a honda. Absolutely superb, worth every penny.

honda = $$
no doubt good lawnmowers but so damn expensive lol.. I got the walmart special with the big wheel self propelled and briggs engine, works great!

 

[reesetricted]

+1 on the self propelled...

My corner lot kicks my arse. I was thinking 1) mowers are light, it's like pushing a stroller for 20 mins 2) why should I pay $350 when I can get this other one for $150 that us just as good.

Try an hour...it the begining it's like a stroller, by the end it is more like a box of rocks. heat and humidity are ruthless. Now (I know this is old man and somewhat ridiculous), I'm thinking about buying a craigslist riding mower

 

[CBBSteve]

Don't forget, your gonna need a LAWNMOWER!!! LOL

I recommend a honda.

Just hire someone with a honda...

 

[jamesw]

Digging this thread back up was a plus for me as I'm trying to decide on a water-flow strategy. I used to use external centrifugal powerheads (sit on top of tank w/ only impeller in the water - shaft driven) but am thinking of going w/ a close loop w/ and Iwaki 55

I don't like powerheads at all because most of them add heat to the water. The Vortechs are nice but I could run the Iwaki55 for a couple of years before I'd recoup the cost of the Vortechs.

Are there any other alternatives that don't heat the tank? I don't want any water-cooled pumps.

Cheers
James

 

[AquaNerd]

from an electrical use standpoint, i've chosen to go with vortechs/tunzes. watt for watt they can't be beat.

a pair of vortechs can put out 6400 gph at 56 watts.

a single reeflo barracuda puts out 4300 gph at 285 watts.

so whatever initial costs you have to cough up, you will make them up in the long run.

 

[tedu]

I have to agree that the vortechs / tunzes are going to be much more power bill friendly.

I just happen to not want ANY powerhead, cords, wires, brackets, etc in my tank, so I went closed loop on the 270. I valued the appearance over the electrical consumption.

I do think you could probably find a more electrically efficient pump than the Iwaki that would also move more water. But if you already own it that's a different equation. I had two Iwaki's on the shelf but chose to use externally mounted Eheim 1262s instead.

 

[jamesw]

I think the reason y'all are discounting big external pumps is that they are all high pressure/low flow units. They have something like a 1" discharge. The powerheads are axial flow pumps which put out high flow at low head.

The Iwaki 55 I have will be operating at essentially 0 head (friction only) so will put out 1100 gph. I plan on using an eductor on the discharge to convert pressure head to velocity head - something most people don't think of. I'm guessing (SWAG) that will up the flow to around 3000 gph but we'll see. At $50 for the pump it would take years for the Vortechs to catch up to that.

Cheers
James

 

[AquaNerd]

yeah james, after i made that post about power consumption the eductors came to mind. they would certainly help max out the flow from the pump.

 

[jamesw]

I'll let you know how it works in a few days...