What GPH is ideal

[SeattleReefer]

I have a 15 gallon AIO cube, the current return pump is not strong enough to blow detritus off rocks or support LPS, if I want a reef with Soft and LPS what GPH pump should I upgrade to

 

[rtparty]

You need a powerhead. Don’t rely on a return pump for proper flow.

Tunze 6040 is fantastic for smaller tanks

 

[exnisstech]

Agreed a powerhead is needed. I have a Tunze 6020 in an IM20 and while quite a bit cheaper than the 6040 I wish I had went with a 6040 so I could dial it down a little. Its pretty strong running full blast. There are cheaper options if needed but tunze puts out some reliable powerheads.

 

[SeattleReefer]

You need a powerhead. Don’t rely on a return pump for proper flow.

Tunze 6040 is fantastic for smaller tanks

Thank you I will look into it

 

[SeattleReefer]

Agreed a powerhead is needed. I have a Tunze 6020 in an IM20 and while quite a bit cheaper than the 6040 I wish I had went with a 6040 so I could dial it down a little. Its pretty strong running full blast. There are cheaper options if needed but tunze puts out some reliable powerheads.

Ideally under $200

 

[exnisstech]

I use a pair of sicce voyager nano's in my 15 gallon, they put out a wide gentle flow instead of a narrow jet of water.

Ideally under $200

@Mr. Mojo Rising is running the pumps above and they're around $50. I think in thread he said he was running the 500gph which is the 2000 IIRC

 

[areefer01]

I have a 15 gallon AIO cube, the current return pump is not strong enough to blow detritus off rocks or support LPS, if I want a reef with Soft and LPS what GPH pump should I upgrade to

Tunze has a 5 year complete warranty. That is why there is a price premium. You can look at the Tunze 6020 nano stream since you have a 15 gallon tank bare. Once you add rock, substrate, corals, fish it is no longer 15 gallons.

If you want to splurge the 6040 as noted above hub edition is 234 USD but could be carried forward should you upgrade to something larger. So think along the lines of buying once. Of course the size of the upgrade may require additional if the 6040 can't meet your demands.

If you want budget you will look at something along the likes of Jebao. PP-4 or similar. Smaller footprint then something like the ELW-10. Something like either of those. Just buy a spare.

As to which one or brand that is really up to you. My advise is to strongly consider your hobby journey and longevity. Sometimes, in my opinion, it makes sense to pay more for the quality item with a good warranty than buying something cheap today for short term. Trying to triage flow problems with years of coral growth leads to both frustration and problems via limitations.

Good luck.

 

[Uncle99]

I have a 15 gallon AIO cube, the current return pump is not strong enough to blow detritus off rocks or support LPS, if I want a reef with Soft and LPS what GPH pump should I upgrade to

What GPH is it now?