Alternative to MP40's

[rocket098]

I have the jebao new mlw 20 I also have their new gyro. If I was you I would go that route. I do have mp40 and 60 as well. However the jebao is cheap reliable and they finally got the app to a workable condition. Start with one gyro it’s an eye opener how well the gyros perform. Then add other pumps as needed. Whatever route you choose I would go jebao just the price alone is unbelievable.

 

[JaaxReef]

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

If you are talking Reefer 425XL, that’s the tank I have, and a single Octopulse 2 is plenty of flow for one side especially if you have it opposing one MP40. Octopulse 4 would be too much for a 4 ft tank. The Bulk Reef Supply reviews of the Octopulse 4 really call out people returning them to get the Octopulse 2 because they couldn’t turn it down enough.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

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

I just got one of those too the redsea25, I dont like it..but its my first gyre, its too cumbersome for what it does and I already have the app with dosing pumps, thats always glitchy most of the time.. just my 2 cents about it..

 

[Bent17]

If you are talking Reefer 425XL, that’s the tank I have, and a single Octopulse 2 is plenty of flow for one side especially if you have it opposing one MP40. Octopulse 4 would be too much for a 4 ft tank. The Bulk Reef Supply reviews of the Octopulse 4 really call out people returning them to get the Octopulse 2 because they couldn’t turn it down enough.

Shouldn't you have on opposing sides however? Thought its always better to go larger and reduce power, worried that having 2 octopulse 2 wouldnt be that strong..

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

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.

I emailed a.i and they claim its supply chain shortages

 

[reefman76]

You might want to check out the Neptune Wav. The dry side of those pumps are less than half an inch and they put out a good amount of flow.

 

[JaaxReef]

Shouldn't you have on opposing sides however? Thought its always better to go larger and reduce power, worried that having 2 octopulse 2 wouldnt be that strong..

Speaking from direct experience, the GPH rating is super deceiving on these. 2 Octopulse 2’s could easily handle sps dominant in a 425XL and you would have to turn them down. Even my single Octopulse 2 has my acro polyps on the top of my 425XL scape constantly moving all the way to the other side of the tank running at 80% random mode. I have them paired with two Nero 3’s on the back wall that run intermittently and break things up, but even without them, the Octo 2 is very strong. Couldn’t imagine how turbulent two Octo 2’s would be running against each other.

The Octopulse 4’s would be absolutely ripping if you did 2 in a 4 ft tank. You’d have to turn them all the way down and it may still be too much. Make sure to read some reviews on bulk reef supply before deciding which to buy if you go with these. Some people with our same tank saying they had to return the 4’s and get the 2’s.

 

[homer1475]

I emailed a.i and they claim its supply chain shortages

Ordered a pair of nero 3 about 2 months ago. Was told they were out of stock, and they had no idea when they would be getting more from AI.

Just got an email this morning that my pumps are shipped!

AI is getting them out, it's just taking time as there is obvious shortages across the board on everything.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Ordered a pair of nero 3 about 2 months ago. Was told they were out of stock, and they had no idea when they would be getting more from AI.

Just got an email this morning that my pumps are shipped!

AI is getting them out, it's just taking time as there is obvious shortages across the board on everything.

Yeah nice, I just ordered another nero 3 after that email, from brs, I think they're great little pumps.

 

[Bent17]

Argh! To get them or not to get them!!

 

[homer1475]

Love my nero's!

But, I love my MP's better. lol

The only problem I have with the nero's, they need to be cleaned more often, or they just stop. I have to clean my nero's about once a month, my MP's, about once a year.

 

[Bent17]

Not worried about cleaning them with every water change thats just part of the fun for me!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Not worried about cleaning them with every water change thats just part of the fun for me!

I clean them often, but it makes it faster to clean when they stay clean. I use a toothbrush and a small bucket of tank water from a clean water change @ the tank, its 2min of work for me.

What kind of tank is this rimless, braced?

I use the mp40's on a eurobrace tank because I can't stand wires over a eurobrace, but I use the neros in a rimless because the neros small wire slips right out of the tank easily, and the wires inside/out make small differences with cleaning and esthetics.

 

[homer1475]

Yeah only reason I do not clean mine all the time......

My nero is supplemental flow down low in my tank, so it sits on the back glass about 2 inches off the sandbed, and wedged between the side glass and a rock. Very hard to get to, and even harder to get back in it's spot.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Yeah only reason I do not clean mine all the time......

My nero is supplemental flow down low in my tank, so it sits on the back glass about 2 inches off the sandbed, and wedged between the side glass and a rock. Very hard to get to, and even harder to get back in it's spot.

I get you on that! Perfect use for that pump!

 

[homer1475]

I get you on that! Perfect use for that pump!

I agree!

Adding another on the other side for more flow down low on the other side of the tank. Should take care of the slight cyano I always get on that side in the sandbed.

 

[spsick]

You mention this is your first tank. I’ll add here that I’ve used a ton of powerheads through the years and in my experience the lower cost option have ended up being higher quality. Specifically Tunze nano streams and Jebao PP/SW line. I’ve had more problems with MP40s I bought new in 2019 than any other piece of equipment I’ve owned. These all more water just fine and my most successful reefs ran with a handful or nanostreams or maxijets. Don’t overthink what you need to get you system running. Good luck!

 

[Screwgunner]

Check out uniclife on Amazon

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I agree!

Adding another on the other side for more flow down low on the other side of the tank. Should take care of the slight cyano I always get on that side in the sandbed.

Get rid of that sand bed

 

[homer1475]

Get rid of that sand bed

If I didn't like the wrasse genera soo much, it would be gone already!