Tunze 6105 ORCA Initial Review

[rtparty]

Tried to get some comparisons best I could. The 6075 is a baseball. The 6105 is a softball.

 

[Michael71]

thats a huge differnece in size lol. I like the outflow on the 6075 looks like it would disperse the flow more. funny it appears the opening diameter on the outflow for both might be the same? the 6105 just has a longer and enclosed end.

 

[rtparty]

thats a huge differnece in size lol. I like the outflow on the 6075 looks like it would disperse the flow more. funny it appears the opening diameter on the outflow for both might be the same? the 6105 just has a longer and enclosed end.

The 6105 comes with a wide flow attachment as well as the one I have installed for a more narrow stream.

 

[areefer01]

The 6105 comes with a wide flow attachment as well as the one I have installed for a more narrow stream.

This is true. A nice feature.

If one ignores the size just remember that you have control over the powerhead intensity, power. You do not need to go to 100. Something to consider if an upgrade is in the future. It will carry forward.

 

[Michael71]

I wont be going larger than the 100gl display. A pair of 6075's would be perfect for my build. of course once enough of the corals grow in there will need to be a frag tank in the future

 

[rtparty]

Just made this real quick

Basic Tunze ORCA Programming

So you just got your new ORCA and need a quick guide to setup some basic flow patterns? Maybe make it so when the ORCA is pointed at your glass it isn’t going full blast and blowing sand around? Or you have a low flow coral closer to the pump and you don’t want it peeling the skin off? Here...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Futuretotm]

I have a 7 foot long tank. Not happy with the two gyres.

Will two of these near the overflow meet my flow requirements so I can get rid of the Gyres????

 

[rtparty]

I have a 7 foot long tank. Not happy with the two gyres.

Will two of these near the overflow meet my flow requirements so I can get rid of the Gyres????

I’d double check with @rvitko but I don’t see why not. Especially the 6105 version. They are using them on 10 and 15 foot tanks in Europe already

 

[areefer01]

I’d double check with @rvitko but I don’t see why not. Especially the 6105 version. They are using them on 10 and 15 foot tanks in Europe already

They are. One example below.


@Futuretotm one thing to remember is that you will have both oscillation control (left, right) AND the powerhead intensity (0 - 100%). Depending on the size of your overflow box the powerhead may extend out further which will give you some additional flow. There may still be a tiny bit of dead space in the center, middle, of that overflow box but you would need to test this out. You might actually move them to the tank edges and be able to get full coverage.

 

[rvitko]

There are a lot of small details that make considerable differences on pumps, because of that, while a 6105 is basically only 50% more flow that a 6075, it is a very different flow and the front housing options make a difference as well. When a pump is similar to the 6075, you get a short flow loop, the same water blown out gets sucked back in, it is more like a mixing pump/blender. When the propeller is in more of a closed tube, you get a projection and the flow has more carry across distances. Generally we try to keep velocity down but keep the distance the flow projects up as that is best in terms of nutrient transport and avoiding coral damage. The 6075 is really designed for smaller distances, 4ft and under, 5ft with a soft coral emphasis, the 6105 is best for longer tanks and the wide housing is good for the 5-6ft length or wider deeper tanks and for a longer length the narrow housing has more reach.

 

[Futuretotm]

Sold, will purchase two black ones as soon as someone has em in stock with the bigger one
@rtparty As a non-baseball person, today I found out that soft/baseball aren't the same size!!! Thanks Tunze!

Now to find out where they place them in europe, was hoping that the motor body would be hidden near the center of the tank, however I think back corners might be best thanks @areefer01

 

[mstgkillr]

I have a 7 foot long tank. Not happy with the two gyres.

Will two of these near the overflow meet my flow requirements so I can get rid of the Gyres????

@rvitko I know it depends on rock/coral layout, but what do you think about the ORCAs on the sides of the overflow (like this diagram) vs. in the back corners mounted to the back wall?

 

[areefer01]

Sold, will purchase two black ones as soon as someone has em in stock with the bigger one
@rtparty As a non-baseball person, today I found out that soft/baseball aren't the same size!!! Thanks Tunze!

Now to find out where they place them in europe, was hoping that the motor body would be hidden near the center of the tank, however I think back corners might be best thanks @areefer01

I did not go into as much detail on the body attachment to tank so I apologize. It does support a EURO brace and is secured by 3 screws. It does not move. There is also an option to mount it on a frame or edge. It is pretty easy to change around and the screws that secure it are really easy to adjust.

I think if you wanted to move it about the display in different positions you won't have any issues. Also worth noting is that both of the cables, powerhead and head unit (ORCA), have equally long cables. You will not be constrained by it.

TL; DR - placing, testing, and observing, I think should be pretty easy to do without much effort. Or so I believe.

 

[rvitko]

@rvitko I know it depends on rock/coral layout, but what do you think about the ORCAs on the sides of the overflow (like this diagram) vs. in the back corners mounted to the back wall?

Yes, I would install them as your drawing, I think it will look nicer and has a wider potential angle of movement.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I wouldn't say a league in their own, but they do provide another option for internal flow. Ed, over at Sea Swirl who held a patent on oscillating flow, should get credit where credit is due. Both oscillating return flow and power head flow such as attaching a Tunze power head or other brands.

With that out of the way, yes Tunze, and who they partnered with, enhanced it. In short:

• Full control over oscillating direction, degree
• Correlated flow patterns with a combination of control for power head flow, and direction of oscillation
• Time slot / schedule

These three provide more control than what Sea Swirl, and Sweeps, have. That in of itself is worth the entry price. Also Tunze, being Tunze, has a 5 year consolidated warranty and not partial. Tunze and Abyzz set the standards here.

Few other comments that may be of interest.

Price will be a sticker shock to some, please watch the video below of Tunze showing the build process. This is very important to understand in my opinion as this hobby is ripe with supporting knock offs and imports.

Option with power head, and without. So existing power head users that are supported can buy without and integrate without extra cost. I purchased the whole kit because I wanted a spare for both cleaning and emergencies. Also future upgrades. There is flexibility here.

• 3d printing is of high quality. Threads on screws are clean. No waste or mess
• 3d printing units are professional quality - these are not toys. Video shows 5 on the table, with more on the floor ready to be installed. They did not skimp on machine choice
• Injection mold was not an option, or due to cost, or not ready - thus the printers
• Euro brace support, and mounting option is flexible. Should work for most displays
• Head unit is clean, and small. A bit tall, but not in your face or loud
• Very quiet
• Requires 2.4 ghz wireless
• Requires its own app - not via the tunze portal or hub, but can be linked
• Control degree rotation, power head speed, 5 patterns, and standard schedule
• Adjustable carbon fiber shaft - uses detent type ball - press, move up, down to extend
• 6105 has some torque with high power and short pulse - shaft seems to support this

Below is the video of mine installed in the upper left. I installed it here to test. Avast plank feeder behind it for size reference. I have a review elsewhere but since I saw this post figured I would share a bit more information on the device. A few of us elsewhere have them installed and chatting about it with a few having purchased as a result and waiting for their kits.

Oh - I left off:

Tunze support - Roger - just a great man to talk to. Very helpful with product support which I have used with setting my ORCA up. Also very receptive to feedback. Gave a few suggestions. Also very kind if there is a disagreement. This is vital as I feel finding common ground is important in today's climate.


Tunze manufacturing:


My ORCA/Display - plan on making another one focusing on flow on the right side, torch area. The flow by the ORCA and the impact it has is, well, interesting. In a good way.

Very well said. Great write up.

I’m torn as I talked to Ed about using my 6255’s on his sweeps. Ultimately I had him create four swirls for me. After talking to Roger I am longer torn and this option you speak of will be at the center of my display. Looking forward to this.

 

[X-37B]

Very well said. Great write up.

I’m torn as I talked to Ed about using my 6255’s on his sweeps. Ultimately I had him create four swirls for me. After talking to Roger I am longer torn and this option you speak of will be at the center of my display. Looking forward to this.

I am going to pick one up soon. Not sure which one for my new system.
I run 2 6255's on sweeps in my 150.
They have more power than I need.
I have another sweep and will test both in the new system.

I will most likely will opt for the 6105, but the 6075 looks good for my 36×36×21.

I tend to run more pump than needed on most systems since I can just reduce or increase flow if needed.

I want to mount the ORCA in the middle of the ext overflow as opposed to one corner with the sweep.

Now to decide on either the 6075, or 6105?

 

[Sean Clark]

I want to mount the ORCA in the middle of the ext overflow as opposed to one corner with the sweep.

I was thinking about that location too. Still trying to decide.

 

[rtparty]

I am going to pick one up soon. Not sure which one for my new system.
I run 2 6255's on sweeps in my 150.
They have more power than I need.
I have another sweep and will test both in the new system.

I will most likely will opt for the 6105, but the 6075 looks good for my 36×36×21.

I tend to run more pump than needed on most systems since I can just reduce or increase flow if needed.

I want to mount the ORCA in the middle of the ext overflow as opposed to one corner with the sweep.

Now to decide on either the 6075, or 6105?

If your tank is more than 4 feet, the 6105

I think the 6105 I have is going to be too much on my 4 foot tank. I know I can turn it down but I’ll have to see if the minimum speed is low enough to not blow sand around on the short side.

I won’t be able to install my 6105 for 4-6 weeks as I’m waiting on a new lid. If you want to pay for shipping I’ll send it to you to test it out and you can ship it back once done.

 

[Idech]

They are. One example below.


@Futuretotm one thing to remember is that you will have both oscillation control (left, right) AND the powerhead intensity (0 - 100%). Depending on the size of your overflow box the powerhead may extend out further which will give you some additional flow. There may still be a tiny bit of dead space in the center, middle, of that overflow box but you would need to test this out. You might actually move them to the tank edges and be able to get full coverage.

Why do they suggest we buy a separate power supply ? Isn’t it included in the box ?

 

[areefer01]

Why do they suggest we buy a separate power supply ? Isn’t it included in the box ?

I would have to go back to the video and watch. I do not remember their installation with that tank as they are doing a few different things such as collecting eggs from fish that spawn. So that is my guess - they are installing something else to control and collect the eggs as they are released maybe when they are not present.

The store and Tunze actually have 1 or 2 more videos to show what that particular shop is doing. It is pretty impressive actually. Retail store, coral and fish aquaculture.

To answer your specific question though. Yes, everything is included in the ORCA box depending on which kit you buy. The one I talk about is the ORCA and the 6105 and it has everything. I did not need to buy anything extra.

Hope this helps.