Alternative to MP40's

[Bent17]

So I am setting up my first tank and I am looking at powerheads.. I have the left side of the tank touching the wall and do not have space to move it out 2.5 inches to have the MP40 dry side fit. Looking at the next best thing. Many have mentioned the AI Nero S5. Would appreciate your opinions and suggestions!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Nero for the space, I have 3 nero 3's with no issues, 2 mp40s no issues. Both apps are ok.

 

[Bent17]

In your opinion should I go for 2 Nero 5's or have the left Nero and right MP40?

 

[homer1475]

While I like my nero's, they are not any where near as reliable as my MP's.

The nero's do push a ton of water, but my issue is stuff(brittle stars, asternia stars, sand in general) getting stuck in the motor/rotator and them stopping.

I have to pull my nero's about once a month to clean them out. My MP's about once a year.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

In your opinion should I go for 2 Nero 5's or have the left Nero and right MP40?

Its easier to have both the same imo because you can sync them together, and you only mess with one ap to control both, I would do both the same if it were me.

There's reviews for both good and bad, but in my experience keeping them clean, avoids allot of issues, I've been lucky and I keep them clean so I like them both.

 

[Bent17]

My LFS suggested 2 Redsea Gyros.. Not sure if those are as good tbh

 

[Tonycass12]

I've had 3 Nero 3 failures that required pump replacement in 11 months. I clean them monthly and it hasn't helped. The longest I've gotten out of one was about 10 months before the motor stopped working. One pump failure only took 2 months.

 

[Joekr73]

My LFS suggested 2 Redsea Gyros.. Not sure if those are as good tbh

I have two icecap 4k gyres on my 125 and they've been great. They move a ton of water and are as low profile on the outside as you can get. I can't speak on redsea gyres, but the pump type I really like. I don't have any experience with the AI nero's but my friend has two 120 gallon tanks and that's all he uses and loves them.
My suggestion would be gyres if you have a longer tank because you could start with two and be good for a while. Either way I don't think you could go wrong with either type. Whatever you pick I would suggest two of the same type, that way you have one app to deal with and can sync or anti sync or whatever you'd like to do and it'll be much easier.

 

[Chrisv.]

I've had 3 Nero 3 failures that required pump replacement in 11 months. I clean them monthly and it hasn't helped. The longest I've gotten out of one was about 10 months before the motor stopped working. One pump failure only took 2 months.

Wondering if consistent issues are why the item has basically disappeared from retailers. Hard to believe that it is COVID related supply chain issues after this long.

 

[Bent17]

Apart from Nero 5 what else is just as good as mp40?

 

[pecan2phat]

I have both Vortech and Nero in different tanks and like both. If I had to look for an alternative to the two, I would try the Octo Pulse line from Reef Octopus.

 

[Waynerock]

Have 2 Nero 5’s and 1 Nero 3 for 2 and 1 year respectively. No issues but they do go into self preservation made Easily. It does not take much to get them to stop but it does this to save its self and not keep trying and burning it’s self out. Not a big deal and usually tell me it’s time to clean. I also like both the sicce and the reef octo BUT you will not get the same profile out of any pump that the Nero’s provide. They are so small they disappear and they cord in the tank crap does not bother either. It all turns pink for me anyway. The 5’s move an absurd amount of water for the pump size as do the 3’s. If I could do it over I would get 4 nero3’s insted of the bigger 5’s because my tank is only 65 gal and the 5’s are so dialed down it’s crazy and wasted power.

 

[Bent17]

Thanks for that! Mine is a reefer 424 so looking at all best options

 

[SPS2020]

How thick is the glass? That may be a determining factor.

FWIW, I have two Red Sea 45's on my back wall and they do a great job.

 

[tkdman]

I use the Octopulse in my tank and they work great. Had a mp40 for a while and it died on me twice in the span of 2 years, since I have a hydros it just made sense to go with either an octopulse or a gyer.

 

[Bent17]

OctoPulse OP-4 ? how do you compare it to the mp40 and what tank size?

 

[DCR]

Apart from Nero 5 what else is just as good as mp40?

Tunze 6105. Probably more reliable than anything else being discussed here.

 

[JaaxReef]

I’ll throw the Reef Octopus Octopulse 2’s into the mix. Really strong pumps, silent, and much more flexibility with directing the flow where you want it compared to the Nero or the Vectra. Price is great too. I’ve had mine about 6 months in my 4 ft tank and would recommend them to anyone.

 

[JaaxReef]

OctoPulse OP-4 ? how do you compare it to the mp40 and what tank size?

Octopulse 4 is insane for flow. I know someone with a 6 ft tank thank only runs it at 60% and it still pushes across the entire tank with strong flow. My Octopulse 2 easily pushes strong flow across my 4 ft tank.

 

[Bent17]

Probably the RO 4 would be better for a 425..