Need Powerhead recommendation for Fluval EVO 13.5

[SaltTank]

Hi .... built my Evo 13.5 with a SICCE Syncra Silent 0.5 return pump. I've been told that a wavemaker / powerhead is needed to maintain good flow in the tank. Im seeing that food settles on the substrate after 30-40 sec but that could be move of my placement of the two return outlets.

(1) what is a good a good recommendation for this tank that will not overpower it.
(2) do i need a powerhead or a wave maker
(3) should i put a random flow generator on the outlet(s) of the return pump

I'll have clownfish and coral in my tank.

Thanks

 

[homer1475]

I don't think you'll have enough flow out of the returns to see any benefit to using RFG nozzles. Check the website, but if I remember from my research into them, they required pretty high flow to be effective.

I would never put a reef tank together without some sort of wavemaker. A nero 3 would be perfect for your tank, and it's a quality product that won't break the bank.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

The RFG's are good and you should get one or two. I opted for two that fit on the stock lock line. Some people use open 3/4 as the 3/4 will connect to the main fitting coming out of the back wall.

I had the Hygger mini in mine and still seemed like too much flow on the lowest setting for the corals I have. I have since taken it out and was running the Sicce Silent .5 in the return with a Sicce Nano stream (270gph) that was good but didn't like not being able to control the wave pattern. I now have a Jebao SOW-3($55), this works great for what I have, however, I still can't get it to stop blowing my GSP on the back wall in one direction. If I place the pump on the back wall, it affects the corals I have on the opposite wall with constant flow. This is at the lowest setting. I'm still playing around with it and will also be moving some of my corals to another tank that I am starting up in two weeks.

I've also had the Jebao OW-10, SW-2 and SLW-10 and did not like how the blades stopped during the pulse mode.

 

[SaltTank]

Thanks @aSaltyKlown I was looking at the Jebao SOW-3 but I've heard it is noisy. I hear a slight hum from my SICCE Syncra Silent 0.5 but it nothing overwhelming. Some of the reviews say SOW is noisy and you can hear when the pump cycles on an off? What has been your experience with the
SOW-3?

Attached is a pic of my tank ... how would you all advise I position the outlets for the return pump and where to initially place the wavemaker. And should the wavemaker be pointed straight or up towards the surface water?

 

[tuco2018]

I use a Nero 3 , I have it set up high for surface agitation , pointed at the front glass panel

 

[Bombschell]

I too want to upgrade the stock return to the Sicce .5, I use the fluval C1 for a circ pump positioned under the intake grate. I had one of the Jebao but even on the lowest setting it looked like a tsunami.

 

[Idech]

The koralia nano isn’t noisy and is adequate for this tank. That’s what I have.

 

[SaltTank]

The koralia nano isn’t noisy and is adequate for this tank. That’s what I have.

Thanks @Idech which Nano model 240, 425, 565 GPH

 

[FishyFishFish]

I have 2 Evos; both have a Sicce 0.5 and a single RFG.

I added a Aqamai KPS to my softie/LPS tank and it was too much flow. I removed it and and have gone back to just the return pump and I think it’s much better.

The second tank I’ve just converted as a trial for SPS so I put the Aqamai KPS in there and it’s fine.

So my personal preference is no wavemaker for softie/LPS and a small wavemaker for SPS.

 

[JoJosReef]

I put in the sicce 1.0 with two 1/4 in RFGs and a lot of locline for positioning. At max, the flow isn't impressive, but it's fair enough. I also have a MagTool Zksj wavemaker at the lowest setting, positioned high on the opposite wall.

I would imagine the Sicce 0.5 with 2 RFGs might be underwhelming, but perhaps a single would be perfect.

Don't put the wavemaker on the back wall with magnet in the AIO chambers unless you know the "dry side" magnet won't leech metals into your tank over time (Hygger, I think, is not waterproof on the outside magnet).

 

[Idech]

Thanks @Idech which Nano model 240, 425, 565 GPH

The 240 GPH.

 

[Tamberav]

I have a sow-4 in my 5.5g and once it broke in and slimed up… it is silent now.

I have one in a 7g that is also silent.

I tried the KPS for awhile but that one actually had some noise… back to sow I went.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Thanks @aSaltyKlown I was looking at the Jebao SOW-3 but I've heard it is noisy. I hear a slight hum from my SICCE Syncra Silent 0.5 but it nothing overwhelming. Some of the reviews say SOW is noisy and you can hear when the pump cycles on an off? What has been your experience with the
SOW-3?

Attached is a pic of my tank ... how would you all advise I position the outlets for the return pump and where to initially place the wavemaker. And should the wavemaker be pointed straight or up towards the surface water?

It was a little loud the first few minutes. There is a very slight motor noise, but I have to be right next to it with no other noise around. It's a very slight whirring noise. As far as placement, it really doesn't matter until you have corals in and see how the flow effects them.

 

[MontrealReefer]

Hi .... built my Evo 13.5 with a SICCE Syncra Silent 0.5 return pump. I've been told that a wavemaker / powerhead is needed to maintain good flow in the tank. Im seeing that food settles on the substrate after 30-40 sec but that could be move of my placement of the two return outlets.

(1) what is a good a good recommendation for this tank that will not overpower it.
(2) do i need a powerhead or a wave maker
(3) should i put a random flow generator on the outlet(s) of the return pump

I'll have clownfish and coral in my tank.

Thanks

Hands down the Nero 3, you will be able to control the flow pattern and strength

 

[MontrealReefer]

Hands down the Nero 3, you will be able to control the flow pattern and strength

It's also the smallest looking one you can add and I never own a powerhead this silent.

 

[Neko]

I have the Hygger 1600gph (3-25 gallon) in mine with reduced flow (80%). It's tiny good look and silent.