I started, of course, with the MP10. I know this thing will do a world of different things, but I have it set to constant velocity - about 80% right now. I want to compare it only against the abilities of the other two. One quick result was that my protein skimmer finally seems to be functioning well. I guess a lot of crap had been settling out, but now is finding the overflow AND the protein skimmer!
Trying to come up with an objective method of judging the results...
Oh man this test has been ruined ! LOL now all you have left is disappointment ! Lmao yeah vortech's really move the junk off the floor. Keep the results comeing !
Chuck, my goal is to be objective here. That is why I am only using the continuous flow mode. When I am convinced that all of the gunk is blown off the sand bed back there, I am going to switch to another PH. Based on what folks have said, I will try the Tunze next. At this point, my subjective results will include performance of the protein skimmer and the color of the (almost clean again) sand bed. I have about a cup or two of unused aragonite, so I know what color it was to start...
What I don't yet have is a good OBJECTIVE test - something with hard numbers. I probably should have tested NO3 before and immediately after starting the pump. To see if it was in my tank, but possibly having settled out? The red algae has to be eating something. And my tests (and those of several LFS) always came up with 0% N and 0% NO3.
Any suggestions on an objective test?
I was only jockeing with ya. It depends on the test kits that you are using. API kits and strips usually read off compared to the higher end kits like the lamode kits and salifert I would suggest using one test kit and only use that brand to compile the info. Personal I think the best method of checking the distance and strength of the Power heads would be to place some kind of mesh on the opposite end and see which one gathers the most material in a set amount of time. Food for thought is all. Looking forward to your results.
Great ideas, guys. Too late for that "don't disturb the sand bed" thing. That MP10 pretty much scoured the sand back to white. Now I just need a day to try them all.
So, after extensive playing around with these PHs, including moving them around to different spots in the tank, I really don't have a great "answer" for anyone.
All three PHs moved more than enough water in my 56 gal DT. It's only about 38" across, so it was not hard for these three pumps to bounce water off the far wall and beyond. In fact, all three probably pushed a little too much water IMO. I used a product called the MiniPhaser that stained glass artists use to dial down their soldering irons on the Tunze and Hydnor pumps. It worked well at backing them off a bit. The VorTech came with its own controller to do that - and more. I never played with the "more" for two reasons - 1. It wasn't part of this little experiment. 2. If I did, I would probably have liked it even more!
I don't really know the GPH of these three pumps, but I do believe the VorTech at full bore pushed a lot more water. Sand bed flew like crazy, and if it was pointing at our clam, Stafford, well, he was not pleased. But, even wide open, none of these pumps seemed to be so strong as to annoy the fish. I generally tested the VT at about 70%, and the other two at something more - 85-90%?.
The biggest disappointment in this test was that NONE of the pumps did what I was aiming for, and that was to make my cyanobacteria go away. It didn't. For a while, I thought it had, but what I realized was the pumps just blew it to a new spot in the tank. On a happy note, the protein skimmer works much better with the increased flow. So, the water never looked clearer!
The VT was of course, bullet proof. Great flow, quietest of the three, all the special control features, and a VERY small in tank profile. The only draw back was the OUTside of the tank had the ugly motor part. It was of great interest to my 4 yr old. And, if you move it just a fraction, the inside impeller no longer functions. So, wet hands...
The Tunze was annoying when it would turn on. All that clicking noise! It did quiet down, but dang first use I thought I had broken it already. (And remember, it was only a loaner!) Once it quieted down, I thought it was probably the mid-noise pump. I liked the directionality feature on this pump the best. Especially with the motor/cord IN the tank, I really needed to stick it in a corner. I saw online that they even make a rock to hide it. Cool idea.
The Hydnor pump worked fine. It had the largest in tank profile, which made it difficult for me to place it (with existing rockwork) in the tank. But, if it was there from the start, it would be OK. It seemed to be the noisiest, but still quieter than I thought any of them would be. Like the Tunze, it had the motor/cord inside the tank. So, effort at hiding that stuff is required.
So, what can I say? They all moved water. They all improved my water from protein skimmer removal. But, apparently, flow was not the answer to my cyano issue. Damn! Back to the drawing board...
Attached is a photo that I took showing the in-tank profile of each of these pumps. Ranging from 1.5" up to 6". This is not an insignificant consideration, especially with a smaller tank like mine.
Also, when setting the magnets on these to the foamcore, I noticed the Hydnor pump's magnets did not hold as securely as the other two. That was not noticed when I used them on the tank, so I don't know if it is a foamcore thing... but, my guess is, that magnet is probably less "attractive" on larger tanks (with thicker glass walls).
And, THANKS AGAIN, Binford, for the opportunity to try all of this. Your PHs are heading back today.
Last edited by dlhirst; 11-15-2012 at 07:59 AM.
Reason: (added photo)
Good eye, Chris! You are correct, the original thought was to clean up the "back alley". All pumps did that very well. But, when showing the tank to a guy a few weeks back, he mentioned that I should also see the cyano disappear if I improved the water flow. So, I kinda tagged that along on my "wish list". Sorry to confuse.
I occasionally dose vodka. Usually Sunday mornings, with Vivio's bloody mary mix... But, I don't share that with the fish.
I do have a bag of carbon and a bag of GFO in the sump at all times. But, I will say I am not real quick to replace them. Maybe every other month? Each "bag" which is really a nylon knee length hose will hold about 1.5 cups of either. When I am back there, and feeling lazy, I just kinda give them a few squishes, to move the granules around - hoping it exposes new nooks and crannies. But, for a real complete change - How often should I be doing that?
Originally Posted by dlhirst
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