ORCA Set Up

[rtparty]

For some reason I originally thought the whole thing was in the water, instead of the bulky piece sitting on your tank rim

Not only that, it seems like the oscillation will eliminate one of the biggest issues I see with powerheads - which is blasting corals with too much flow in one spot - I've seen even acros get weird deformities and be unhappy from that.

I went from 2/10 interest in this to 9/10

I ordered that 6075 you recommended in another thread and am looking forward to seeing how that soft flow could be used oscillating all over the tank

Might even replace the gyres completely - or just augment them so that I can run them low and not care when they drop in output after 3 weeks

edit: dangit I just realize I'll have to get another lid!

They really are a leap forward IMO. I’m biased. I get it

We’ve had oscillating items in the past but they were way larger, no control, and didn’t integrate with the pump. They also weren’t the super high end stepper motor these have that really are silent. I am OCD about noise from my tank and these things can’t even be heard.

When I set my 6075 version up and turned it on, my tank became semi cloudy with particulates it was pulling out of the rocks from all the new angles that flow was working around

Yes, a new lid is needed for me as well

 

[Jamie814]

Might even replace the gyres completely - or just augment them so that I can run them low and not care when they drop in output after 3 weeks

A Seasweep/Tunze combo or the New ORCA's will literally blow your gyres out of the water in terms of random flow!

You won't get a better more cost-effective solution, You will love them. Did you look at how little power they use also compared to a vortec or gyre pump? Their crazy efficient.

 

[minus9]

For some reason I originally thought the whole thing was in the water, instead of the bulky piece sitting on your tank rim

Not only that, it seems like the oscillation will eliminate one of the biggest issues I see with powerheads - which is blasting corals with too much flow in one spot - I've seen even acros get weird deformities and be unhappy from that.

I went from 2/10 interest in this to 9/10

I ordered that 6075 you recommended in another thread and am looking forward to seeing how that soft flow could be used oscillating all over the tank

Might even replace the gyres completely - or just augment them so that I can run them low and not care when they drop in output after 3 weeks

edit: dangit I just realize I'll have to get another lid!

I replaced my gyres with four 6075's and they get the whole tank moving like a wall of water, which is what I wanted. They are awesome!

 

[areefer01]

Since the shaft is a replaceable part, I’d reach out to Roger and see when spare parts will be available and maybe you can rig one to fit the cable into?

With a good drill press and vice to hold it, I imagine you could drill a hole in the shaft and pass the cable through. Might have to drill a couple holes now that I’m thinking about it since you won’t be able to go up through the clamp. So you’d need a hole above the clamp and then one above your Eurobrace.

It would be a fun project but plan on it not working if it does work you get a nice surprise

I don't think you can. I had sent Tunze an email about this and if not suggest they make clips. That way the hobbyist can clip the cable on and hide it that way. I will say that if there are no clips they are easy enough to 3d print or just use small zip tie.

 

[library 112]

Have not seen anything on how the mount works with lids? Every video I have seen shows it with a lidless tank. Also will these work with a hydros wave maker I know tunez usually does. Thanks for any feedback looking to upgrade to the 257 Cade tank later this year and researching equipment for it.

 

[rvitko]

It only works with the Tunze app, it requires a lot of settings be coordinated and these are features other controllers do not have, for example oscillation speed, angles, speed of the pump, only the app can coordinate all of these actions, it is not just an oscillator it is an oscillator and pump coordinated to work as a unit. Any lid would have to be modified to work.

 

[areefer01]

Have not seen anything on how the mount works with lids? Every video I have seen shows it with a lidless tank.

The lid will need to have a cutout no different than say if you are adding a auto feeder, our return line, or such. As to the exact size it will depend on how it is attached to the tank. The ORCA mount until can attach to the edge of the EURO brace or tank edge. Here is mine attached to the EURO brace. My brace is about 4" and the ORCA is about 3 3/4" although I did get exact.

Also will these work with a hydros wave maker I know tunez usually does. Thanks for any feedback looking to upgrade to the 257 Cade tank later this year and researching equipment for it.

I can't speak to the Hydros but it probably would not be something I would do after my use of it. The ORCA has a schedule and basics settings. Basics are like speed, start and end angle. Additional settings are pause points, sectors, and flow.

More control than what you will get with the Hydros not to mention they may over rule one another.

 

[library 112]

The lid will need to have a cutout no different than say if you are adding a auto feeder, our return line, or such. As to the exact size it will depend on how it is attached to the tank. The ORCA mount until can attach to the edge of the EURO brace or tank edge. Here is mine attached to the EURO brace. My brace is about 4" and the ORCA is about 3 3/4" although I did get exact.

Thanks for the picture helps out with decision. I’m thinking two of these and two large gyers might be enough on the new setup I’m thinking of. The Cade is 71.31.33 inches any thought on that?

I can't speak to the Hydros but it probably would not be something I would do after my use of it. The ORCA has a schedule and basics settings. Basics are like speed, start and end angle. Additional settings are pause points, sectors, and flow.

More control than what you will get with the Hydros not to mention they may over rule one another.

 

[Billgasser]

#rtparty , #rvitko
Just got my Orca, anyone aware if you can make it shorter ?

 

[areefer01]

#rtparty , #rvitko
Just got my Orca, anyone aware if you can make it shorter ?

You mean by cutting the shaft? No, not recommended.

Answered here:

Tunze 6105 ORCA Initial Review

Any photos of how the ORCA mounts on a eurobrace?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[rvitko]

The pipe is as short as it can be with still being extendable, I have tried, short of getting rid of the extension feature by cutting and gluing it to a fixed length there is no way to shorten it and that will only gain around 1.5". Keep in mind that if you modify it and mess up, that pipe is over $80, it is not a cheap printed carbon fiber or low end carbon fiber, it is the real deal, it is actual German made structural carbon fiber and not just a look and is pricey. It does cut and machine easily, you will get covered in black dust but it can be cut easily with a hacksaw and filed and sanded. You will need to redrill the holes for the set screws as well but you can basically cut the wider diameter pipe to the minimum length of the internal bushings and then cut the smaller diameter pipe into a bushing you would glue in with super glue.

 

[rvitko]

Just to let everyone know, firmware 4.0.0 is now live and is a major stability upgrade.

 

[exnisstech]

Great info in the video. I missed it and have been fumbling. Thanks

 

[qy7400]

Hi Roger, I have an Orca that the light just blinks white. LED never goes red, tried power cycling but seems stuck at booting up? Any suggestions to remedy?

 

[Jamie814]

Hi Roger, I have an Orca that the light just blinks white. LED never goes red, tried power cycling but seems stuck at booting up? Any suggestions to remedy?

I had the same issue; it kept dropping Wi-Fi, and I think it was trying to update the firmware but lost connection midway, which bricked it. I fixed it by unplugging it for about 15 minutes, deleting it from the app during that time, and then reinstalling it.

 

[qy7400]

Thanks for the info, only difference is this one has never been setup so it's not in the app to remove. I tried unplugging for 30 minutes just to try it but no change.

 

[Jamie814]

Thanks for the info, only difference is this one has never been setup so it's not in the app to remove. I tried unplugging for 30 minutes just to try it but no change.

Hopefully @rvitko will be able to assist then....

 

[areefer01]

Thanks for the info, only difference is this one has never been setup so it's not in the app to remove. I tried unplugging for 30 minutes just to try it but no change.

If you haven't done so already you can join the WhatsApp group and post the question in there. Most of the posts are in German but I have posted and got replies in English.

Open the Tunze app and you can access it via there.

 

[qy7400]

I joined the group but dont see anything in there, never used whatsapp so not sure what i should be seeing or where to post a question.

 

[rvitko]

I just sent a DM