Tunze 6105 ORCA Initial Review

[dwest]

What I would do is isolate the clamp with some rubber, auto parts stores sell sheets of red rubber for DIY gaskets, Walmart is inconsistent but used to have it as well, an old mousepad can also work. It likely is vibrating the trim but I would hesitate to cut it.

I bought rubber for gaskets. But before I tried that, I learned that I could mount the orca more securely on the frame itself, instead of mounting to the frame lip. The orca is much quieter now. I am happy with the (lack of) noise. All good.

In a related occurrence, I learned that the orca was somewhat waterproof as advertised. Because mine came off of the lip of the rim over night and was completely submerged in my tank in the morning when I woke up

Lastly, my pacific blue tang has been enamored with the orca for over 2 weeks now. I would call her response somewhere between inquisitive, aggression, and mating. Lots of biting and rubbing going on.

 

[Jamie814]

Has anyone else noticed that slowing down the oscillation actually gives you "more" flow? I hadn’t really thought about it before, but it makes sense. As it oscillates the force behind the water jet fades pretty quickly. Slowing it down gives the water jet more time to push the stream farther across the tank.
I have four ORCA 6105's in my 500 gallon and after reducing the oscillation to 5%, the flow seems stronger with better turbulence as the streams randomly collide. Just my observation....

 

[exnisstech]

Anyone have an orca slow pulsing orange? I have two on one tank not synched (not even sure if they can be? ) One is flashing geen which is think is normal and the other one is slowly pulsing orange. Both show up good in the app.

 

[Jamie814]

Anyone have an orca slow pulsing orange? I have two on one tank not synched (not even sure if they can be? ) One is flashing geen which is think is normal and the other one is slowly pulsing orange. Both show up good in the app.

Never seen those colors. Normal operation should be pulsing white. Unless some other mode the color is different? @rvitko should be able to answer this.

 

[areefer01]

Anyone have an orca slow pulsing orange? I have two on one tank not synched (not even sure if they can be? ) One is flashing geen which is think is normal and the other one is slowly pulsing orange. Both show up good in the app.

I do not believe they can be synced. At least this is what I was told after initial launch. In fact the reply I got they said they didn't see why that would be wanted. Seemed odd to me which is why I only have one instead of two or three.

Can you check each of the devices, orca, and see if you have one that needs a firmware? Should be able to check in their app.

 

[rtparty]

I really hope they add syncing as I don’t want them randomly colliding streams. I’d prefer to move them together and create gyres more easily

 

[DmitryB]

Just ordered 6105 for my upcoming 170 tank. Currently what I have for that tank is this Orca, MP40 and ReefWave 45. (Not counting the return, which will be a VarioS 10.)

You think I'll need more? I'll probably need more... (I plan to have SPS's.)

 

[exnisstech]

I do not believe they can be synced. At least this is what I was told after initial launch. In fact the reply I got they said they didn't see why that would be wanted. Seemed odd to me which is why I only have one instead of two or three.

Can you check each of the devices, orca, and see if you have one that needs a firmware? Should be able to check in their app.

Hmm no update needed. I went in and tweaked some settings just now and after exiting they're both doing the slow white pulse. Alls well that ends well lol.

 

[exnisstech]

I really hope they add syncing as I don’t want them randomly colliding streams. I’d prefer to move them together and create gyres more easily

I agree. I run all my vortechs as parent/child when they're on opposite ends.

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

A lot of work is being done in the app now, Tobias is adding a lot of the connection features from the flow jet and dosing pump that will improve the ORCA connections and we have a lot of products being integrated to the app. I know he is aware of the desire for a syncronization feature and it is in the works but he need to finish a lot of product integration at the moment.

 

[UncommonSense]

I cut mine with a hack saw and the main issue I encountered was that because it has no flex at all, where plastic or metal pipes bend away so the blade can keep passing through, the carbon fiber is so stiff it clamps the blade so you have to cut in again from the side, you can't just pass through in one cut.

I just figured I’d pop in here after having a think about the challenging carbon fiber tube cutting process:

A wet saw (tile saw), particularly one with a continuous rim fine diamond abrasive blade, would actually be ideal for cutting and otherwise altering carbon fiber tubing!

— assuming you have a sliding assembly, or some form of fence to keep the cut square, the abrasive blade just slowly grinds through the carbon… trapping the dust in water spray, keeping the resin cool, and leaving a fantastic cut edge finish!

 

[Wonkabar]

Anyone having any issues with the teeth in the brackets breaking off? Would love a stronger solution since this is the second time it’s happened to me. One of the pics is a dosing tube holder since it’s basically the same part

 

[Jamie814]

Anyone having any issues with the teeth in the brackets breaking off? Would love a stronger solution since this is the second time it’s happened to me. One of the pics is a dosing tube holder since it’s basically the same part

I don’t see any broken teeth in your picture? Maybe you’re over-tightening them?

I’ve got eight Orcas and haven’t had any issues with that.

 

[Wonkabar]

I don’t see any broken teeth in your picture? Maybe you’re over-tightening them?

I’ve got eight Orcas and haven’t had any issues with that.

I’ve got 4 and this is the second time it’s happened. I even put o rings in the grooves so as not to have to tighten them as much, while preventing slippage at Roger’s direction.

 

[Jamie814]

I’ve got 4 and this is the second time it’s happened. I even put o rings in the grooves so as not to have to tighten them as much, while preventing slippage at Roger’s direction.

Ah, I see how it’s broken now. What kind of rim are you mounting them on? From the way they look, it seems they’re not fully seated against the tank rim and stressing the bracket further out causing it to break? @rvitko ?

 

[Wonkabar]

I’ve got 4 and this is the second time it’s happened. I even put o rings in the grooves so as not to have to tighten them as much, while preventing slippage at Roger’s direction.

Ah, I see how it’s broken now. What kind of rim are you mounting them on? From the way they look, it seems they’re not fully seated against the tank rim and stressing the bracket further out causing it to break? @rvitko ?

They are mounted on 3/8” eurobracing on my glasscages tank. The edges are slightly beveled which definitely doesn’t help. I am trying to jury rig something up until I can come up with a better solution. Hopefully this helps spread the load out a bit. Letting the glue dry overnight and I’ll see in the morning.

Was frustrated this morning after my homewrecker and Walt Disney colonies got turned into 100 frags.

 

[DmitryB]

Solved.
If all else fails remove the cardboard packing and look for two small white envelopes one of which contains the US adapter that slides into place.

Ok at the risk of showing my ignorance and because there is literally no instructions included can anyone tell me how to get the prongs out on this power supply? Prying on them feels like they are going to break.
@areefer01 @rtparty @rvitko ?

I just did the exact same bloody thing. And the worst part is that the adapters are hidden deep under cardboard that you don't even realize there is another packet of crap in that box. You thought you got it all. Nope. I don't understand why these things are often designed for maximum pain in the butt.

 

[DmitryB]

Also I assume these have to CLICK together, right? And you've to apply Superman strength to make that happen?

 

[rtparty]

Also I assume these have to CLICK together, right? And you've to apply Superman strength to make that happen?

No. They go together very easily

 

[DmitryB]

No. They go together very easily

Hmmm.... weird because mine don't stay together very well. I can't imagine the connection is supposed to be as flimsy as what I get on mine.