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.

 

[exnisstech]

2 Tunze 6075

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

I'll probably look into these if my Mp40s start causing problems. I have a couple of old tunze poweheads (can't remember the models) that have been bullet proof but they are pretty bulky and lacking much control. These new ones look a bit more refined.
I agree tunze is a great company. Ecotech not so much these days IMO

 

[rtparty]

I'll probably look into these if my Mp40s start causing problems. I have a couple of old tunze poweheads (can't remember the models) that have been bullet proof but they are pretty bulky and lacking much control. These new ones look a bit more refined.
I agree tunze is a great company. Ecotech not so much these days IMO

They definitely aren’t the smallest footprint but nobody can match their reliability. Family owned business with everything made and sourced (that they can) from Germany

In the States, Roger is absolutely incredible if you ever need help or have questions.

And I bet you could upgrade your old Tunze pumps to the new HUB controller for like $99.

 

[X-37B]

They definitely aren’t the smallest footprint but nobody can match their reliability. Family owned business with everything made and sourced (that they can) from Germany

In the States, Roger is absolutely incredible if you ever need help or have questions.

And I bet you could upgrade your old Tunze pumps to the new HUB controller for like $99.

What is the difference with the new controller? I am always replacing the little knobs on mine.

 

[rtparty]

What is the difference with the new controller? I am always replacing the little knobs on mine.

Probably a shorter list of what’s similar: the Tunze name

No more knobs. They’re white instead of black. WiFi controlled. You can set modes and patterns and loads of other things.

Here is a great video:

 

[Chuck_e]

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…

I cleaned my Maxspect XF-230 gyre about once every 3 months. Total breakdown, soak in citric acid, and rinse. Took about an hour, not counting soaking time. Finally had to retire it after 8 years. It was working just fine but I discovered that the insulation on the power cord had cracked right at the motor. Which I would have never known if I hadn't pulled it out of the tank for cleaning...

 

[areefer01]

2 Tunze 6075

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

I was also going to suggest they look into the Tunze product line up. Just joined the Tunze family and very excited. Company is a joy to work with and very friendly.

5 year warranty as you noted is huge. Also worth nothing is that a lot of their pump products such as the power heads can be upgraded if a change is made.

Basically they want the product(s), power head in this case, to last beyond the 5 year warranty if properly taken care of by the hobbyist.

OP - worth taking a look if you haven't already. If not - you have some other recommendations to keep you busy.

 

[areefer01]

I cleaned my Maxspect XF-230 gyre about once every 3 months. Total breakdown, soak in citric acid, and rinse. Took about an hour, not counting soaking time. Finally had to retire it after 8 years. It was working just fine but I discovered that the insulation on the power cord had cracked right at the motor. Which I would have never known if I hadn't pulled it out of the tank for cleaning...

Maxspect used to include spare cages and blades which made the maintenance task so much faster. Turn off, remove, replace, turn on, clean when time allows. Pretty simple. Also they included both A and B blades to make the reverse flow actually work.

I've used the Orbits, Icecap, and Maxspect and out of them all the Maxspect works the best. Fasted reaction time (.5 seconds) on the motor block. Orbits got the nod because it worked seamlessly with the Neptune Apex via the MXM module. That was a nice quality of life. Ice cap worked ok similar to the Orbits but without Apex support.

 

[reely989]

I'll probably look into these if my Mp40s start causing problems. I have a couple of old tunze poweheads (can't remember the models) that have been bullet proof but they are pretty bulky and lacking much control. These new ones look a bit more refined.
I agree tunze is a great company. Ecotech not so much these days IMO

I have two 6255's on my tank and they move some water. Great product. Not a small footprint, but they are fantastic.

 

[mp2022]

Thank you all - great discussion!

 

[rtparty]

I was also going to suggest they look into the Tunze product line up. Just joined the Tunze family and very excited. Company is a joy to work with and very friendly.

5 year warranty as you noted is huge. Also worth nothing is that a lot of their pump products such as the power heads can be upgraded if a change is made.

Basically they want the product(s), power head in this case, to last beyond the 5 year warranty if properly taken care of by the hobbyist.

OP - worth taking a look if you haven't already. If not - you have some other recommendations to keep you busy.

They are designed to run at least 10 years is the thought process when engineering it all. As many of us can attest, they will go much longer than 10 years if maintained.

I have a set of 6045s that I’ve had for 10 years and I bought them used when they were 2-3 years old already.

Tunze is one of the good companies in the hobby for sure

 

[mp2022]

They are designed to run at least 10 years is the thought process when engineering it all. As many of us can attest, they will go much longer than 10 years if maintained.

I have a set of 6045s that I’ve had for 10 years and I bought them used when they were 2-3 years old already.

Tunze is one of the good companies in the hobby for sure

A delayed question to your response but can you comment on the flow shape/pattern for 6045 (compared to say the 6075/6095)? I have a bunch of SPS on the top of my tank and wonder if the 6095 or 6075 flow would be too gentle for SPS. Is the flow customizable enough in the controller and app to generate turbulent flow? Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

A delayed question to your response but can you comment on the flow shape/pattern for 6045 (compared to say the 6075/6095)? I have a bunch of SPS on the top of my tank and wonder if the 6095 or 6075 flow would be too gentle for SPS. Is the flow customizable enough in the controller and app to generate turbulent flow? Thanks.

The 6045 is not nearly as wide. This BRS video shows the 6085 which is going to be pretty close to the 6045 in terms of how wide the flow is:



The 6085 is at about 20 minutes.

The 6095 definitely has more punch than the 6075 if you need that

 

[Scoob]

A delayed question to your response but can you comment on the flow shape/pattern for 6045 (compared to say the 6075/6095)? I have a bunch of SPS on the top of my tank and wonder if the 6095 or 6075 flow would be too gentle for SPS. Is the flow customizable enough in the controller and app to generate turbulent flow? Thanks.

Delete

 

[minus9]

I have a 36x36x16 acropora dominant tank and I just switched out my gyres with 6075's and couldn't be happier. These pumps are so messing awesome! I have 3 now and the flow patterns that I can create withing seconds is insane. I've been using 6040's on my smaller tanks for the past 10 years and they're still going strong and I think they are one the best nano power heads on the market (very underrated), but the wide flow of the 6075's is perfect for a 3' tank. If you're worried that they don't have enough push, then I would look at the 6095's, but they have a slightly narrower flow.

 

[mp2022]

The 6045 is not nearly as wide. This BRS video shows the 6085 which is going to be pretty close to the 6045 in terms of how wide the flow is:



The 6085 is at about 20 minutes.

The 6095 definitely has more punch than the 6075 if you need that

Very helpful thanks!

 

[mp2022]

I have a 36x36x16 acropora dominant tank and I just switched out my gyres with 6075's and couldn't be happier. These pumps are so messing awesome! I have 3 now and the flow patterns that I can create withing seconds is insane. I've been using 6040's on my smaller tanks for the past 10 years and they're still going strong and I think they are one the best nano power heads on the market (very underrated), but the wide flow of the 6075's is perfect for a 3' tank. If you're worried that they don't have enough push, then I would look at the 6095's, but they have a slightly narrower flow.

Thanks that’s great to hear they are good for acros - I am leaning towards the 6075 - for a 3x1.5x1.5 foot tank do you think two 6075s or a one 6075 and something less powerful like the 6045 or 6055 better? Thanks!

 

[minus9]

Thanks that’s great to hear they are good for acros - I am leaning towards the 6075 - for a 3x1.5x1.5 foot tank do you think two 6075s or a one 6075 and something less powerful like the 6045 or 6055 better? Thanks!

I would do two 6075’s, it’s better to have more flow than you need and dial them back. The wide flow on the 75’s is amazing, especially with your dimensions. Purchase two extra cages 6075.130 which makes cleaning them a breeze.

 

[RaleighReefer]

Imo Jeabo again. With Maxpect, Ecotech etc. you'll pay 2-4x the price with no real improvement in reliability or funtion. Jeabo also makes a gyre option if you simply need more flow.

 

[areefer01]

Imo Jeabo again. With Maxpect, Ecotech etc. you'll pay 2-4x the price with no real improvement in reliability or funtion. Jeabo also makes a gyre option if you simply need more flow.

There are differences. It just comes down to dollars, cents, and personal preference. Show me a Jeabo that comes with a 5 year warranty. Also one needs to consider risk vs display maturity and what that looks like at 5, 10, 15, and more years of success in this hobby.

I agree there is a price difference and sometimes it makes some squint...

 

[RaleighReefer]

There are differences. It just comes down to dollars, cents, and personal preference. Show me a Jeabo that comes with a 5 year warranty. Also one needs to consider risk vs display maturity and what that looks like at 5, 10, 15, and more years of success in this hobby.

I agree there is a price difference and sometimes it makes some squint...

It's worth considering that you can replace a Jeabo pump 4x for the price of 1 Vortech so IMO warranty length isn't a huge concern at least for me. I also doubt any warranty would cover wetside Vortech parts which by themselves can cost $75+ to replace.

I've neaver heard of a failed Jeabo nuking a tank so worst case it's $100 and a 5 min swap out.