Tunze 6105 ORCA Initial Review

[B9.5_RS]

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?

I am trying to decide on that too, i have a 150 that is 47x36x20, i just cant figure if the 6105 or the the 6075 will be a better fit

 

[rtparty]

I am trying to decide on that too, i have a 150 that is 47x36x20, i just cant figure if the 6105 or the the 6075 will be a better fit

I think 6075s would be run at or around 90-100% all the time on a tank this size

At 85-90% I can push water 4 feet with a 6075 but the tank is only 21” front to back

For $100 more, you have more than enough with 2 of the 6105

 

[X-37B]

I am trying to decide on that too, i have a 150 that is 47x36x20, i just cant figure if the 6105 or the the 6075 will be a better fit

Get the 6105, I have several 6105's and with the 2 gaurds you have more options plus you will have all the power you need when the sytem is grown in.

 

[areefer01]

Ignoring the size of the two it is easier to dial down intensity than to go past 100%. If budget permits go with the larger.

I would go far as to say that the 6105 combo will be their higher sales product.

 

[B9.5_RS]

Get the 6105, I have several 6105's and with the 2 gaurds you have more options plus you will have all the power you need when the sytem is grown in.

Just bit the bullet, lets see how it goes thanks for the help

 

[B9.5_RS]

I think 6075s would be run at or around 90-100% all the time on a tank this size

At 85-90% I can push water 4 feet with a 6075 but the tank is only 21” front to back

For $100 more, you have more than enough with 2 of the 6105

That's what i ended up doing, got the 6105 so i can have some capacity to spare

 

[exnisstech]

TLDR Do the pumps that ship with the orca have the ability to be used on their own or would additional equipment be needed to run without them connected to the orca?

Question for you folks that have these. Say I buy a 6105 and decide it's just too large for the tank. Size is one of the things that have kept me from switching to tunze. Could I use that pump as a standalone unit and buy a 6075 stand alone and use that on the orca? I know from a financial POV is not wise but I also don't want to be stuck with a $400 powehead that can't be used without the orca.

EDIT: Apologies if this sounds confusing
It looks like a stand alone pump has a controller included. Say I buy the 6105 orca then decide I want the 6075. Could I buy a stand alone 6075 with the included controller and place the pump on the orca and use the included controller for the 6105 removed from the orca?

 

[rtparty]

TLDR Do the pumps that ship with the orca have the ability to be used on their own or would additional equipment be needed to run without them connected to the orca?

Question for you folks that have these. Say I buy a 6105 and decide it's just too large for the tank. Size is one of the things that have kept me from switching to tunze. Could I use that pump as a standalone unit and buy a 6075 stand alone and use that on the orca? I know from a financial POV is not wise but I also don't want to be stuck with a $400 powehead that can't be used without tye orca.

You would need a Hub controller to run it standalone. The Hub controller is in the top part of the ORCA.

The 6075 and 6105 clamps are also different. So you’d need that. I believe Roger told me they have all that stuff for sale

 

[areefer01]

TLDR Do the pumps that ship with the orca have the ability to be used on their own or would additional equipment be needed to run without them connected to the orca?

There are options with the ORCA. One is the combined kit. One with ORCA and Tunze powerhead (6105 for example) and one with just the ORCA oscillator. The one with just the ORCA oscillator is if the hobbyist already has a compatible TUNZE powerhead and wants to use it with the ORCA and save a bit of money.

Two part answer, sorry. Since I bought the combined kit (ORCA + 6105) to answer your question no, I would not be able to use the 6105 stand alone as there is no hub/driver. In my case I already have a pair of 6105s in use so have 2 hubs. I can technically use it in a sense as both a spare and to swap out making cleaning, maintenance easier.

Not sure if this makes sense, sorry. Basically you still need a driver / hub.

Question for you folks that have these. Say I buy a 6105 and decide it's just too large for the tank. Size is one of the things that have kept me from switching to tunze. Could I use that pump as a standalone unit and buy a 6075 stand alone and use that on the orca? I know from a financial POV is not wise but I also don't want to be stuck with a $400 powehead that can't be used without tye orca.

@rtparty put the two versions side by side for reference - the power head.

You could, technically, buy the Tunze Turbelle 6075 HUB edition on its own which is about 330 USD to get into the Tunze family and see how you like it. If that works out then you could buy the ORCA solo powerhead mount and then use the 6075 over and be done. You would have a spare HUB that isn't being used so a bit wasteful but one way to test the waters if you want. I think that combination will not be cost effective but if you don't like it may be out less money if you resale the stand alone.

Not sure if I described this well enough - sorry.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks @rtparty and @areefer01 I went ahead and ordered the orca 6105 kit. As mentioned it can be run lower as needed. At some point I'll be moving out of this tank and will be adding an extra ft in length so no sense going smaller. TBH I'm not sure why I'm even so concerned about the size of 6105 since im currently running 6 powerheads in the tank lol 3 corded and 3 not.

 

[areefer01]

Thanks @rtparty and @areefer01 I went ahead and ordered the orca 6105 kit. As mentioned it can be run lower as needed. At some point I'll be moving out of this tank and will be adding an extra ft in length so no sense going smaller. TBH I'm not sure why I'm even so concerned about the size of 6105 since im currently running 6 powerheads in the tank lol 3 corded and 3 not.

To be honest, I think you will be happy. I know a couple of other hobbyist who have them installed and sharing similar experiences with them. One thing we are all noticing after installation is how good of a job it does in keeping detritus suspended and going to the overflow.

I think it has already been said but if not:

5 year warranty across the board
Very well built, quality is visible
Great support, Roger is fun to talk to in my experience
Company stands behind products - not rushed to version them to force hobbyist upgrade

Just my opinion after having been a new Tunze user the past 6 months or so.

 

[X-37B]

Thanks @rtparty and @areefer01 I went ahead and ordered the orca 6105 kit. As mentioned it can be run lower as needed. At some point I'll be moving out of this tank and will be adding an extra ft in length so no sense going smaller. TBH I'm not sure why I'm even so concerned about the size of 6105 since im currently running 6 powerheads in the tank lol 3 corded and 3 not.

Good choice! I had 6 powerheads in my 120. My 150 has 2 on sweeps, no more needed.
I will use 1 6105 Orca once my new system is up as a stand alone powerhead in my 112. I have a sweep but still want to give the Tunze a go. It is much more than just a mover.

 

[rtparty]

Thanks @rtparty and @areefer01 I went ahead and ordered the orca 6105 kit. As mentioned it can be run lower as needed. At some point I'll be moving out of this tank and will be adding an extra ft in length so no sense going smaller. TBH I'm not sure why I'm even so concerned about the size of 6105 since im currently running 6 powerheads in the tank lol 3 corded and 3 not.

Go from 6 pumps to 2 will be super nice

 

[exnisstech]

One thing we are all noticing after installation is how good of a job it does in keeping detritus suspended and going to the overflow.

This is what I'm hoping to accomplish and one reason why I've added so may power heads trying to keep detritus from building up on the rocks. Bubble algae always lets.me know when I'm missing places. I'll most likely add second ane run two similar to @X-37B with his sweeps. I would much rather support tunze as a company vs soke of the competition. My oldest powerheads is a tunze that probably 10yrs old and in my mixing bin currently

 

[chapter7]

Hopefully the next evolution is simultaneous movement on the vertical axis too!

 

[exnisstech]

Go from 6 pumps to 2 will be super nice

I have a hunch I'll get better performance. The sweeping motion with the ability to change flow amount with the sweep along with being able to angle them up and down as needed is going to be a game changer I think. I'll be sure and report back once I have mine.

 

[areefer01]

Hopefully the next evolution is simultaneous movement on the vertical axis too!

While possible I do not believe the hobbyist would be willing to foot that bill.

 

[johnnycamp5]

Hopefully the next evolution is simultaneous movement on the vertical axis too!

That’d be nutz!
Like a telescoping shaft…
wouldn’t have to be much just a few inches would be great

Guessing this design would be mad expensive though

 

[RobertK]

Any photos of how the ORCA mounts on a eurobrace?

 

[minus9]

Any photos of how the ORCA mounts on a eurobrace?

There are plenty of YT videos that show them mounted on euro bracing.