Power head selection

[mp2022]

Hi all, I am looking to upgrade my powerheads for my mixed reef tank. My tank dimensions are ~ 3 x1.5x1.5ft. I have SPS near the top of the tank - monti, acro, etc… with mostly soft and LPS near bottom. My Jebao power heads are losing steam and I am looking for a more durable option. I am considering Ecotech vs Nero vs Maxspect gyre. I am trying to achieve high turbulent flow for the SPS near the top and slower flow at the bottom for soft/LPS. Looking for some advice on best powerheads or combo based on my tank dimensions and coral placement - thanks! Picture attached of tank for reference.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

I would do one gyre on a side panel. Maxspect jump series is a good budget option.

 

[RedReefer]

Two mp 40’s. One on each side would be my choice. I used to have a 3’ tank with my two mp40’s running this way. Lots of sps with no flow/dead spot issues .

 

[mp2022]

Two mp 40’s. One on each side would be my choice. I used to have a 3’ tank with my two mp40’s running this way. Lots of sps with no flow/dead spot issues .

 

[mp2022]

Thanks - price is a bit hard to stomach for the vortech but seriously considering it. Is there a major build quality and longevity difference between the vortech and say the Neros? I initially was considering a gyre pump but then read as a corals grow significantly and fill out the rockwork/tank it may not be sufficient. I also am less inclined to get the budget options at this stage again - I have bought two hygger and two Jebao and while the Jebao were initially powerful they just don’t move as much ware as they did 2-3 months ago despite cleaning and I want something that will last 5 years. Thanks in advance.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

My personal opinion is that two mp40s are overkill for a 3 ft tank. If you have the cash…sure. Will you ever turn them up past 50%…probably not.

If you keep the gyres clean they work really well. The flow is spread out a cross a 12” pump…so corals don’t really block it. Especially because gyres are placed 2 or 3” below your water line.

AI Neros are good options too. I think you could do two nero 5s and get good flow in there.

I have two nero 5s and two 7s that I use. One nero 5 died on me after 4 years or so (I believe it was the controller). Everything else is working great. Very easy to clean in my opinion.

I like the nero 7 over the 5 simply because it’s larger and provides a wider flow pattern.

 

[exnisstech]

My biggest gripe with the neros is the long cord attached to the motor which makes them a pain to remove to clean. Rather than fish the cord out from inside the stand I resorted to cleaning them next to the tank with a bucket on a chair. MP40s I keep a spare wet side and just swap them out.
I have a 36x22x22" acro dominant tank with two MP40s on the back wall running on reefcrest at 60% with 3 nutrient transport mode periods at 65 % . I also have an MP10 on the left end down low toward the front that blows across the front and all my detritus collects in the rear corners for easy vacuuming. That said my rock scape is quite a bit different than yours and I'm bare bottom. I have multiple tanks running with a total of 6 MP40s and 2 MP10s some that have been running for upwards of 8 years. I've been very happy as long as I don't drop a dry side. They do not like hitting the floor but thats on me. Not having to run to cables over the top of the tank is a bonus.
I'm not really a fan of ecotech and will no longer run their radions because I got tired of lights coming on in the middle of the night when Mobius decides to loose track of the correct time but I love my vortechs.

The tank I mentioned above.

EDIT: I have ran a few gyres (icecap and jebao) and the icecap always got noisy. I don't know how but they would get a bubble inside and start whining. The jebao while they stayed quite I just found them a hassle to clean.

 

[reely989]

If you aren’t a lazy reefer like me I think gyres are great. Just don’t kid yourself about them being low maintenance. I bought several of the nice ones and they all got gunked up and slowed down. Totally my fault but they are more maintenance heavy than others. I have Tunze now. I forget the model number but they are huge and move a lot of water. I think if I had it to do over I’d just get over my disdain for vortech and get some MP40 or MP60. It would be so convenient to just have spare wet sides laying around to swap out.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

My personal opinion is that two mp40s are overkill for a 3 ft tank. If you have the cash…sure. Will you ever turn them up past 50%…probably not.

Agreed. I have 3 MP40s on a 6ft mixed reef running lagoon at 50% and it’s plenty.

I can’t support Ecotech’s recent trend of taking away more functionality than they add but the lack of cables and ease of cleaning with Vortechs is hard to overlook.

 

[mp2022]

My personal opinion is that two mp40s are overkill for a 3 ft tank. If you have the cash…sure. Will you ever turn them up past 50%…probably not.

If you keep the gyres clean they work really well. The flow is spread out a cross a 12” pump…so corals don’t really block it. Especially because gyres are placed 2 or 3” below your water line.

AI Neros are good options too. I think you could do two nero 5s and get good flow in there.

I have two nero 5s and two 7s that I use. One nero 5 died on me after 4 years or so (I believe it was the controller). Everything else is working great. Very easy to clean in my opinion.

I like the nero 7 over the 5 simply because it’s larger and provides a wider flow pattern.

Very helpful thanks.

My biggest gripe with the neros is the long cord attached to the motor which makes them a pain to remove to clean. Rather than fish the cord out from inside the stand I resorted to cleaning them next to the tank with a bucket on a chair. MP40s I keep a spare wet side and just swap them out.
I have a 36x22x22" acro dominant tank with two MP40s on the back wall running on reefcrest at 60% with 3 nutrient transport mode periods at 65 % . I also have an MP10 on the left end down low toward the front that blows across the front and all my detritus collects in the rear corners for easy vacuuming. That said my rock scape is quite a bit different than yours and I'm bare bottom. I have multiple tanks running with a total of 6 MP40s and 2 MP10s some that have been running for upwards of 8 years. I've been very happy as long as I don't drop a dry side. They do not like hitting the floor but thats on me. Not having to run to cables over the top of the tank is a bonus.
I'm not really a fan of ecotech and will no longer run their radions because I got tired of lights coming on in the middle of the night when Mobius decides to loose track of the correct time but I love my vortechs.

The tank I mentioned above.

EDIT: I have ran a few gyres (icecap and jebao) and the icecap always got noisy. I don't know how but they would get a bubble inside and start whining. The jebao while they stayed quiet I just found them a hassle to clean.

Beautiful tank - I see the benefits of not having wires in the tank for ease of tank maintenance reasons - but is there some risk to the inhabitants with having wires in the tank? I have read that some lower end brands will leach copper etc and that can kill off the more delicate SPS…thanks

 

[mp2022]

If you aren’t a lazy reefer like me I think gyres are great. Just don’t kid yourself about them being low maintenance. I bought several of the nice ones and they all got gunked up and slowed down. Totally my fault but they are more maintenance heavy than others. I have Tunze now. I forget the model number but they are huge and move a lot of water. I think if I had it to do over I’d just get over my disdain for vortech and get some MP40 or MP60. It would be so convenient to just have spare wet sides laying around to swap out.

Thanks. I am ok with occasional maintenance like once every other month but if it’s like weekly cleaning of a gyre pump I probably don’t have the time or bandwidth…

 

[Hairyteeth]

Do you clean your pumps with acid? I bet they could get their flow back
Hardest part about this hobby is not upgrading

 

[X-37B]

A good option are the Jebao ow-40's. One on each side or back wall would work well.
If you want no cord in tank look at the Jebao dmp's. I have one in my 35 and they work well for the monet. They are MP clones.

 

[exnisstech]

Very helpful thanks.

Beautiful tank - I see the benefits of not having wires in the tank for ease of tank maintenance reasons - but is there some risk to the inhabitants with having wires in the tank? I have read that some lower end brands will leach copper etc and that can kill off the more delicate SPS…thanks

For me its more about appearance and convience. Leaching is always a possibility but I've not experienced any metals leaching. I have had older koralia poweheads leak electricity in the tank .

 

[EricR]

...I see the benefits of not having wires in the tank for ease of tank maintenance reasons - but is there some risk to the inhabitants with having wires in the tank? ...

My only bad experience with cords in tank:
Urchin chewed through cord and severed the electrical wires on my AI Nero 5.
*probably not worth worrying about but just noting

Pretty sure most pumps come with the spiral cable protectors but they're fatter and less manageable than just the cords,,, plus can get pushed away from the pump a bit anyway and allow urchin access to some part of the wire if you're not paying attention.

 

[rtparty]

2 Tunze 6075

Totally controllable with the new HUB controllers. 5 year warranty from an amazing company. Made in Germany instead of China.

 

[NY_Sea]

The icecap FP 200 which are mp40 knock offs look intriguing at a good price point

 

[mp2022]

2 Tunze 6075

Totally controllable with the new HUB controllers. 5 year warranty from an amazing company. Made in Germany instead of China.

A lot of great ideas here - thanks for all the replies.

Rtparty, any reason to choose the 6075 over 6095?

Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

A lot of great ideas here - thanks for all the replies.

Rtparty, any reason to choose the 6075 over 6095?

Thanks.

Softer, wider flow for the 3 foot tank or the 1.5ft front to back

 

[Blitheran]

You can find like new or slightly used vortechs for the price of what some of the other name brand pumps sell for new. VORTECH is awesome and I love it. So I just buy them used.