I am very close to purchasing an Oceans Motions Super Squirt. I haven't used it yet but it seems highly recommended.
I have been looking at the oceans motions units as well. Also if are wanting to use powerheads then you may look into some of controllers. Such as: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=NS1153. I am looking at this as well. Just a few more thoughts.
I jest bought the seio controller. All it dose is reduces the pumps power by 50% every 15 sec. It controls two pumps and reduces both at the same time.
I have not used a Seio, but I have a SCWD (switching current water director). to switch between two outputs that are at 45 degree angles in the back corners of my tank.
I ended up buying a Reefkeeper 2 that I'll use to control three of the new Hydor Koralia power heads. I ordered two Pump 4s and a Pump 2. The Reefkeeper should be back from its warranty trip this week.
The RK2 and Hydor Koralia powerheads came in today. WooHoo! Now maybe we can get things automated and get some water moving.
The Koralia powerheads are unsuitable for a wavemaker that turns them on and off. They make a severe chattering noise when they startup backwards and need to reverse direction. This happens way more often than not. The chattering is very loud as well as causing extra wear on the propellers and housings. They do seem to move a lot of water though -- really broad, soft stream. Looking at the flow of all the crap they stirred up, there's a pretty random movement with them on constantly -- one on each end and one in the back pointing forward. I think I'll leave them on and not use the wavemaker function until the next generation of inexpensive wide-flow pumps comes along.
I have read that other wide flow pumps have that problem too, the new Tunze Nano's and I know my Seio chatters on startup. I am not using a wavemaker but it gets turned off at feeding time so I hear it start up every day. I remember reading an article by Anthony Calfo saying he prefered to let the powerheads just run and let the currents collide to make random flow. So to each his own. I bet your setup will be great.
Including the return pumps and powerheads, I should have about 4,600gph of water movement. That should be enough for a 120g tank don't ya think?
A lot of people have been experiencing problems with the Tunze Nano steams. shafts breaking, and all around poor design. Not up to par with the norm of Tunze. Seems as though they rushed these to market. The regular Tunze Streams are still a good pump though and with the single or multi controller can be a nice albeit expensive wave-making setup.
In my opinion that is rocking. You are gettin 38X turnover, your tank should be great. I have heard of folks going 50X plus but you also start to hear them go bare bottom or the starboard stuff instead of sand at those high flow rates. One of the more experienced folks in our group with higher flow might be able to speak more intelligently about this. I am at a lowly 20X turnover but I have very open rock work and no dead spots. Also my only plans for SPS are the Monti's which they say are happy in moderate flow. So until things don't progress well I am sticking with 20X.
I am really pleased with the OM 4way. Good relighable semi random flow. I tried the seios but had problems with being shocked, a coulple of the power heads leaked electricity. I cant exactly remember what my tanks turnover will be, basicly two sequence darts on each 180. probally around 40x not taking head pressure loss into account. Some time in the fuyure if I have sperb sps growth I may have to add a tunze stream in the mix.
The two Koralia 4's (1200gph) both quit within two weeks of each other. Randy took them out Sunday and soaked them in vinegar and got them working again. He really had to scrub the prop shafts to make them turn freely. They sure move a lot of water. We positioned them better so the flow isn't directly on the spots where I want to put critters.
sorry I missed this post for a while. I have used the Koralia's and I don’t like them because of the rooster tails coming out of behind the prop. The Seio’s have a lot less pressure. I love them.
