Best Power Head(s) for 55 Gallon and Under

[Slayvoff]

Max Size I can get will be Red Sea Reefer 250, so roughly 55 gallons of tank space. What would be the best power head(s) to get for this volume of water? Are the VorTechs and Gyres too much power for this size tank? (Kind of hoping you all say yes given the price tags on those babies lol)

 

[moseley75]

I use 1 MP10QDW on my 28 gallon now. I want to get another so I can create alternating opposing flows.

 

[jimmyzhou]

Check tunze 6040. I use on my 13.5 fulval before doing great. Now I'm testing them on my 120 2X6040. Working great make nice waves.

 

[Slayvoff]

Check tunze 6040. I use on my 13.5 fulval before doing great. Now I'm testing them on my 120 2X6040. Working great make nice waves.

Do you think 1 6040 would be sufficient water flow for a 55 or smaller tank? Looks like a promising power head

 

[VanEB]

I would think MP10 is very good

 

[AshwinRavi]

I was just about to post a similar question myself, I am shopping for my 75G (48X18), I was thinking of getting two hydor 1050 with a controller to create waves. I am curious to see what you come up with for your tank

 

[miPapareef]

I like the tunze pumps and you should get the 6055. Remember when you have them on the wave mode they are off half the time so the total flow is less.

 

[Vahanyos]

I have a 55 gallon 4 foot long tank and Im using a powerhead each end with my return blowing in the middle. Total from powerheads is about 2000gph and maybe another 300 from my return. So total 2300gph. However, I think I want to get a little more flow

You should look into Jebao'

Sure they may require more cleaning but for the price they're great

 

[Salty1962]

MP40

 

[Slayvoff]

MP40

have 1 - would that be enough for a red sea 250?

 

[Salty1962]

have 1 - would that be enough for a red sea 250?

Depending on your colony sizes and aquascape, yes.

 

[Slayvoff]

Depending on your colony sizes and aquascape, yes.

Would I just want to place the powerhead in the top middle of one of the ends and make sure the pathway the water is flowing is clear of rock and any current, or future, corals?

 

[Salty1962]

Would I just want to place the powerhead in the top middle of one of the ends and make sure the pathway the water is flowing is clear of rock and any current, or future, corals?

I would say so. You don't want a coral in the first few inches of the wet side so you don't blast it away and the coral not do well or die. You'll need to keep it low enough that it doesn't suck the top of the water line down and generate bubbles, mine were @4~5" from the top of the water line. Start off low and build up from there until you have good water circulation without generating bubbles. I ran mine in the "Nutrient Transport Mode" or "Reef Crest Mode" depending on your corals and the amount of random flow generated in your tank. I believe that would be a good starting point for you until you find your sweet spot. You may find that as your coral frags turn into good sized colonies, you may need to add a pump on the other side, facing each other pushing side to side or placed on your back glass pushing back to front.
Are you currently using a controller? The APEX has a WXM module that gives you the control of your pumps through the APEX, NOTE: you'll also need the "wireless" modulators" installed in your Ecotech controllers to communicate with the WXM. If you don't have one they're @$45 at BRS. These will also let your pumps talk to each other so they can sync if that is something you'd want.
Sorry so long winded but wanted to give you some food for thought. Good Luck and let us know how it went for you.
Bill

 

[frank@wall]

mp10 or tunze 6040. u can also play with a small Gyre as well