Best Reason for Expensive Powerheads?

[KenRexford]

I currently have 4 Hydor Koralia powerheads with a Hydor Smart Wave. Seems ok and cheap.

What is the upside, for those who have done this setup and then expensive, to mp40s or gyre or whatever at like 5 times the price? I am willing to spend if there is something worth it, but I cannot visualize the benefits like I might with experience.

 

[Dvanlier05]

I like my MP40's bc of the low profile, reliability, ability to control flow pattern and styles, battery back up options, easy cleaning, customer service, the list goes on.
It's like cars. You can get a Kia or a BMW. They both do the job but one has more refined features and abilities.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I like my MP40's bc of the low profile, reliability, ability to control flow pattern and styles, battery back up options, easy cleaning, customer service, the list goes on.
It's like cars. You can get a Kia or a BMW. They both do the job but one has more refined features and abilities.

I'd echo all of this and add silence and no cords in the tank. Our tank is in our family room and one thing most people comment on when they stop by is how quiet it is. I run my MP40s at 90% Reefcrest and they are super quiet.

 

[will25u]

I just got a Hydor Koralia nano and it’s pretty awesome for being $30! No noise, either.

I have an MP10 but it's hanging by a thread since it’s fallen off the tank for over five years. The IM NUVO’s glass is too thick for it. I like it, but prob wouldn’t buy another.

 

[Katrina71]

They both work. Ultimately you need a back up jic anyway. Failures are failures.

 

[stanleo]

I currently have 4 Hydor Koralia powerheads with a Hydor Smart Wave. Seems ok and cheap.

What is the upside, for those who have done this setup and then expensive, to mp40s or gyre or whatever at like 5 times the price? I am willing to spend if there is something worth it, but I cannot visualize the benefits like I might with experience.

I have 2 hydors and the wavemake and I like it. I also have been thinking of biting the bullet and getting the MP40s so I won't have wires in the tank and I like the battery backup idea. But it's a lot of money for ascetics and I have a battery backup on my powerheads anyway. If I ever do get the 300 gallon in a few years, I will go for it but right now I don't see the necessity.

 

[mfinn]

If what you have is working for you and there are no issues, IMO, it's doesn't make sense to change.
If and when you do start having issues, then start researching alternatives/upgrades.

 

[Frey]

If you like stray voltage in your tank run hydors. I had 4 of them. Started getting shocked. Turned item after item off until i found it to be the power heads. Ended up happening with all 4. I will never buy or use another.

 

[Potatohead]

Reef cred, yo.

 

[Dbichler]

I started with hydors and did great for price. Now have mp40s great flow and options but replacing wetsides at 80$ a crack sucks. I could buy a jebao for that price or 10 for the price of the 2 mp40s.

 

[Lizbeli]

I have had mp10s and liked them a lot. But to be honest, I am loving my Nero 5’s. They are quieter and the app is so easy to use. Yes, there is a wire in the tank. But it is so thin I never realize its ever there. The pumps themselves are sleek. But you need to know if your glass thickened would be too much. I have no issues with my waterbox.

I don’t think you need expensive pumps for a successful reef. But you can’t deny how much easier and better flow can be with these types of wave makers. Flow is so important, if you can swing the cost I believe its worth it.

 

[Dragon52]

Had the Hydors, switched to MP40QD's & like them whole lot more.

 

[jda]

I have a kid who is driving that is about the same age as some Tunze pumps that are still running on my tank. Not only do costs go way down after a decade, so does your confidence when on vacation or orherwise trusting your equipment when you are not around.

 

[canadianeh]

How about MP10 vs Neptune WAV?

 

[Whasmack]

I phased out my koralias due to size; but for my and my money - Tunze. Best build - titanium components, not stainless or ceramic. They last forever. They don't make that horrible noise koralias make when starting up. Extremely quiet pumps. IMO best magnets.
I've had issues with ALL my vortech pumps. They are great. Superior controllability. Nice wide flow. But are slightly noisey (old ones) and issues with impellers breaking & magnets. Gyres clog super quick - high flow & high maintenance.

 

[Anchor]

A great in between from the Hydor and the Neptune/MP's is the Tunze .. with a reputation for longetivity as well. May not be pretty like the Neptune/MP's but still controllable models. On the low end of not as controllable but still reliable, I have been using lower flow Sicce. 1 year on and still pumping..

 

[amazongb]

How about MP10 vs Neptune WAV?

I bought 2 WAVs for my 425xl (88 gallon) and they are too strong for my tank, even at 1%. Not much adjustabillity.. Replaced with 2 MP 40s. The WAVs move a ton of water and there's a lot to like about them... just need a bigger tank

 

[canadianeh]

I bought 2 WAVs for my 425xl (88 gallon) and they are too strong for my tank, even at 1%. Not much adjustabillity.. Replaced with 2 MP 40s. The WAVs move a ton of water and there's a lot to like about them... just need a bigger tank

Oops! Good thing to know! I was going to put two of them into Reefer 250 just because I want to use it with Apex.

How about Nero 5? I heard they are much more versatile. Good for nano tank to 120 gallon tank.

 

[amazongb]

Oops! Good thing to know! I was going to put two of them into Reefer 250 just because I want to use it with Apex.

How about Nero 5? I heard they are much more versatile. Good for nano tank to 120 gallon tank.

I’m hearing good things about Nero, but I don’t own one..

 

[a4edwin]

I like the fact that my mp10 doesn’t take up real estate in the tank and block lighting I have a koralia 850 on the other end of the tank and there’s shadowing