Tunze 6105 ORCA Initial Review

[Jamie814]

@rvitko
Any more of the ORCA 6105 in black hit the states yet? Still waiting for the 6 I ordered back in Dec.

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

Black ORCA's are generally going to be very limited in supply, they are much harder to make than white, same plastic but between how black shows every flaw and an effect the black pigment (carbon) has on the moisture content, black is tedious and not many are made, only 1 in 4 made passes QC and that is 12 hours of print time to make one. We are using flame retardant polycarbonate, in any color it holds moisture like a sponge (black is notably worse) leading to popping and sputtering and it needs to be dried for several hours before use and only higher end machines can even use this material as the nozzle temp, bed temp and very fine layering is not possible on most machines, this is not your basic PLA, to meet all safety standards and make a durable product it is a very different process from just making a standard PLA part. There are black 6105's on the way, they should be here in early February, about a week. If anyone just has to have black, keep in mind we can make 4 white ones in the time it takes to make 1 black and there is going to probably always be a longer wait for black.

 

[Billgasser]

@rvitko Question about raising the Orca , when you said “raise it considerably if you remove the clamps from the bracket and flip them around.” What do you mean when you say that?

 

[Jarob]

Debating on picking up two 6105s to replace my 3 mp40s, 2 nanostreams, and Nero 5.

Tank is a 180g 4'x3'x2' with external coast to coast overflow. Not sure where I would place them.

 

[rtparty]

Debating on picking up two 6105s to replace my 3 mp40s, 2 nanostreams, and Nero 5.

Tank is a 180g 4'x3'x2' with external coast to coast overflow. Not sure where I would place them.

What does the top of the tank look like?

 

[Jarob]

Eurobraced

 

[RobertK]

Debating on picking up two 6105s to replace my 3 mp40s, 2 nanostreams, and Nero 5.

Tank is a 180g 4'x3'x2' with external coast to coast overflow. Not sure where I would place them.

Looks like the back wall is black? If it was me I'd start by putting them on the back wall near the corners, angled toward the center. They would be the least conspicuous there if you can get the right flow pattern.

 

[ParanoidKidAndroid]

Can anyone who has a 6105 orca share a few pics of how they look in their tank?

I currently have a 130 gallon system (5x2x2) and agree with the sentiment of future proofing/ buying larger and dialing down but it’s tough to visualize what a pair of softball sized pumps would look like in a tank that isn’t enormous… in the respect, a pair of 6075’s seems more palatable.

 

[rtparty]

Eurobraced

Put one in each corner on the back side. The mount works on Eurobrace as well

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

@rvitko Question about raising the Orca , when you said “raise it considerably if you remove the clamps from the bracket and flip them around.” What do you mean when you say that?

If you remove the two screws and nuts you can flip the clamps around and it lifts it the height of the clamp

 

[toothybugs]

Hoping not too off-topic here, but for everyone mentioning the 6075 vs 6095 vs 6105 in regards to reach, could one or two of you provide some guidance: I am putting together a peninsula build for a standard 75 (48" x 18" x 20" high) and my intention is to upgrade, over time, to an SPS-heavy mixed reef. I had thought a pair of 6105s on opposing sides (each on the same end of the tank, positioned under the overflow box and shooting 48" down its face of the reef) would be adequate without being too much if I turn them down in the early stages.

However, thanks to 6 pages of commentary here so far, I am considering 6095s instead though I like the idea of upgrading either the flow and/or the voltage in time (later, like 3-5 years, these pumps will likely drive a 180).

Stick with the 6105s to reach, or go with more adequately sized 6095s or 6075s?

 

[areefer01]

In my opinion it is easier to turn down power, intensity, than increase it beyond what the products capabilities are. 6105 is more or less a safe bet if one is planning on upgrading as you can always run it with lower intensity, power.

That is if size doesn't matter.

• Solo ORCA 440 USD
• ORCA paired with 6075 is 630 USD
• ORCA paired with 6106 is 680 USD
• Stand alone 6075 HUB edition is 330 USD
• Stand alone 6105 HUB edition is 400 USD

 

[toothybugs]

Thanks. That's much along my lines of thought and the confirmation is appreciated

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

Just to let everyone know a major update is now live, 4.0.0, I highly recommend updating to the new firmware.

 

[Futuretotm]

Pre and Post op. Shortened. not sure how to link my build thread for details.

 

[t5Nitro]

Pre and Post op. Shortened. not sure how to link my build thread for details.

PREOP DIAGNOSIS:
Tunze ORCA

POSTOP DIAGNOSIS:
Same (but better)

Nice work. What did you use to cut it? Anticipating that mine will be too low in the tank when I am able to purchase one.

 

[exnisstech]

Pre and Post op. Shortened. not sure how to link my build thread for details.

Nice job. Funny but I'm wishing mine was a little longer so I could get more direct flow on the rocks lol.

 

[areefer01]

PREOP DIAGNOSIS:
Tunze ORCA

POSTOP DIAGNOSIS:
Same (but better)

Nice work. What did you use to cut it? Anticipating that mine will be too low in the tank when I am able to purchase one.

I believe a dremel with 409 attachment.

 

[Futuretotm]

I believe a dremel with 409 attachment.

Yup yup

 

[areefer01]

Nice job. Funny but I'm wishing mine was a little longer so I could get more direct flow on the rocks lol.

Having a 30" tall tank I can see the need for one. If I had to guess the current length may be due to power head torque and shaft material and flex. Maybe they can offer a DIY PVC fitting in the future if things settle down.