ECOTECH MP40 Powerheads

guitaris70 · Jan 8, 2017

Will 2 ecotech marine MP40 powerheads be sufficient enough for a 5 foot long 120 gallon reef tank with an overflow/return rate of 1200 GPH also on the tank already? Thanks for any feedback

redfishbluefish · Jan 8, 2017

I have a five foot 90 and had only 2 MP40's for years with success. I've recently added two smaller powerheads to add flow behind my rockwork. But yes, it should work, assuming rock work isn't blocking a bunch of flow.

guitaris70 · Jan 8, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
I have a five foot 90 and had only 2 MP40's for years with success. I've recently added two smaller powerheads to add flow behind my rockwork. But yes, it should work, assuming rock work isn't blocking a bunch of flow.

Awesome would you recommend one in a lower part of the tank on one side and then one mid to high level on the opposite side?

redfishbluefish · Jan 8, 2017

I originally had mine on either end, both about 2/3's of the way up, with one more towards the front of the tank, and the other more towards the back of the tank. Once adding the two small powerheads in the back of the rocks, both are now 2/3's up and both towards the front of the tank.

guitaris70 · Jan 8, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
I originally had mine on either end, both about 2/3's of the way up, with one more towards the front of the tank, and the other more towards the back of the tank. Once adding the two small powerheads in the back of the rocks, both are now 2/3's up and both towards the front of the tank.

Why did you need to add 2 small ones to fix dead areas and detritus build up?

redfishbluefish · Jan 8, 2017

Two things drove me to add more flow:

1. Visiting a local friend this past December who has a 180 (might be a 210) and has 12 powerheads in his absolutely beautiful tank.
2. Watching Dana Riddle's talk from MACNA where he basically said you need to combine light with flow (and alkalinity). You can watch it HERE.

cginter · Jan 8, 2017

I run 4 in a 180g. But mine is a 6' tank. 2 were just not enough.

Daniel@R2R · Jan 9, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
Two things drove me to add more flow:

1. Visiting a local friend this past December who has a 180 (might be a 210) and has 12 powerheads in his absolutely beautiful tank.
2. Watching Dana Riddle's talk from MACNA where he basically said you need to combine light with flow (and alkalinity). You can watch it HERE.

Link not working, Paul. Can you post it again?