The reefing hobby has a lot to thank Tunze for, as before they invented the first high output, wide outlet propellor pump we used batteries of small powerheads, creating heat and using lots of power. Now propellor pumps are the norm in wavemakers, but while some go down the control route, and others seek to shrink and flatten their pucks as much as possible, Tunze has continued working on two of the company’s core values – efficiency and longevity.
At first glance, the new Turbelle Stream 6105 eco and 6255 eco look like some previous high-output Stream pumps, sharing a similar magnet mount with 360-degree rotation, a wide, 2.5-3” outlet, a wired controller, Smart Controller capability, and a long power cord. The maximum outputs of the pumps are nothing out of the ordinary either, at 12,000lph/3170gph and 17,000lph/4490gph respectively. But it’s the lack of electricity used to generate those turnovers that are so impressive, as the 6105 eco turns over 12,000lph (12 cubic meters of water,) for just 11 watts of energy, meaning it moves over 1000lph/264gph of water per watt. And we’ve been waiting for that kind of performance for a long time.
The larger 6255 eco turns over 17,000lph/4490gph for a maximum of 31 watts of electricity. 1 watt short of Octo’s 17,000lph/4490gph OP4, 6 watts less than the 20,000lph/5283gph Vortech MP40, nine watts less than a 15,142lph/4000gph Nero 7, and 21 watts less than a Maxspect Gyre 20,000lph/5283gph XF350. That puts the 6255 eco just about at the top of its class for its output, but the 6105 eco is leagues ahead, and take into account also that few have their pumps running at full power or on a constant flow pattern, so it’s going to use less energy still in most situations. Buy two 6105 eco pumps and you stand to get 24,000lph/6340gph for just 22 watts, and the efficiency gap continues to widen.
The other reasons people invest in Tunze are the quiet running and reliability, and the new Stream 2 eco promises to emit half the noise as previously and they come with a five-year warranty. Both come with a second, narrower housing too, to help prevent any livestock mishaps.
With energy prices threatening to ruin the hobby for many reefers, we will take every spare watt we can get, as we can either take a direct financial saving long term or use those energy credits to power extra equipment and tanks for the same running costs as before. The “Eco” term is overused in what is a very energy-hungry hobby, but the Turbelle Stream 2 6105 eco has broken new ground in terms of energy efficiency.
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