Good,but budget powerheads

[kenand]

Starting a 180 gallon saltwater tank. Looking reasonably priced powerheads. What are some of the options?

 

[lapin]

Vortec is nice not to have wires in the tank. However that comes with a price pretty much any of the others that are in the medium price range are good

 

[The_Paradox]

Vortec is nice not to have wires in the tank. However that comes with a price pretty much any of the others that are in the medium price range are good

Or if you keep urchins.

 

[Kershaw]

I think Nero’s are the best bang for buck. When MP 40s were closer to 350 I would say them. I run two Nero 5s on a 60” tank and can’t turn them up all the way. I just picked up an octopulse 4 to try but it’s only been 1 day and it cost closer to a vortech.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

I found the hygger pumps on Amazon do the job for much less. Controllable settings, numerous wavelengths and all that. Although I do like the AI Nero. Thats pretty much all I’ve tried. They can be pricey

 

[zheka757]

pick any jebao pumps, i use them for several years alredy, cant complaint, and my tank is 400g

 

[exnisstech]

For budget jebao maybe a few slw 30s or even a cross flow gyre.

 

[Joekovar]

I like the Jebao SOW series. I've got two SOW-8 in a 55G, and multiple 15G frag tubs with one SOW-4 each.

The ones in the 55G I've had 3-4 years now.

Or if you keep urchins.

I used to have a 20G tank filled with rock, all sorts of crustaceans, and a couple of urchins.

I happened to be looking at the tank from across the room when an urchin managed to get a hold of a 120vac wavemaker cord I thought I had out of its reach.

Big flash. Everything was dead within a day or two, even with me there to respond immediately.

 

[DIYreefer]

pick any jebao pumps, i use them for several years alredy, cant complaint, and my tank is 400g

Ditto. I've never had one fail and I've used them for many years. They do the job perfectly fine. I currently have 3 systems, 400g total water volume.

 

[The_Paradox]

I used to have a 20G tank filled with rock, all sorts of crustaceans, and a couple of urchins.

I happened to be looking at the tank from across the room when an urchin managed to get a hold of a 120vac wavemaker cord I thought I had out of its reach.

Big flash. Everything was dead within a day or two, even with me there to respond immediately.

It’s amazing how fast they can find a cord. I personally won’t have any cords in a tank with urchins. I give way too much of my money to vortec for that reason.

 

[Katrina71]

Jebao sow series. All powerheads will eventually wear out. Never had an issue with them. Do NOT like the slw series.

 

[kenand]

I found the hygger pumps on Amazon do the job for much less. Controllable settings, numerous wavelengths and all that. Although I do like the AI Nero. Thats pretty much all I’ve tried. They can be pricey

I think I'll go with yours. Do you have one on each side?

 

[Uncle99]

2- Jebao OW-25 and 4-230 gyres, 2 horizontal, 2 vertical on my 180g.

Super happy with this brand and it’s low price.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

I think I'll go with yours. Do you have one on each side?

I’d say one on each side for your tank. I only have a 25 gallon. So I have one on the side, sort of opposite to my return pump in the back and it makes good, circular turbulence for me

 

[SaltySqueeble]

I’d say one on each side for your tank. I only have a 25 gallon. So I have one on the side, sort of opposite to my return pump in the back and it makes good, circular turbulence for me

Of course, depends on what corals and fish you want…could need more than 2

 

[Wandering Albatross]

pick any jebao pumps, i use them for several years alredy, cant complaint, and my tank is 400g

What does the flow on these look like? Wide or narrow?

 

[Jposch]

I only use jebao or Tunze. Anything cheaper than jeabo has either just failed, or even split open magnets.
Tunzes have a 5 year warranty. The eco models can literally pay for themselves in energy savings before the warranty expires. Unlike other brands, Tunze doesnt design stuff to die the day after the warranty is up. They can last 10-20 years.

 

[scottmckinney67]

jebao

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Jebao are great pumps for the money. The flow they advertise is less than actual. Best powerhead I have ever owned is a vortech though. I would probably own a MP10 if I didn’t have a peninsula style tank.

 

[reely989]

The Jebao dmps are really good.