Favorite, CHEAPER, lower priced powerheads for flow?

[DHill6]

Started with Hydor Koralia, once I purchased Mp40s than Mp10s I never looked back. I still have a Hydor Koralia mixing my salt water in bucket and I’ll replace that if needed with another Hydor Koralia.

 

[OscarHaglund]

I use a dirt cheap 3w power head aimed at the surface for agitation. Otherwise its jebao mlw pumps

 

[HBtank]

This is one area that cheap doesn't work for me, seems like much high failure rates on "cheap" powerheads than return pumps, and the appearance and controllability of higher end pumps matter to me.

 

[immaman2011]

The best "cheap" powerheads are the AC Tunze. They last forever, support a good company, and are under rated for the flow they put out. Give me them before I ever touch a Jebao, Sun Sun, etc

Aquaneats are better

 

[rtparty]

Aquaneats are better

Don't know what those are but quick Google search shows them as a return pump style. I am talking about the Tunze powerheads. 6015, 6025, 6045, etc...

 

[ReefHog10]

Hygger Mini Wave Maker for 32g Biocube - adjustable / programmable settings, low profile and works great so far. $70 off Amazon

 

[immaman2011]

Don't know what those are but quick Google search shows them as a return pump style. I am talking about the Tunze powerheads. 6015, 6025, 6045, etc...

I had got 2 480gph aquaneats for my 36g but it was too much. They are really powerful. I'm going to be building up a 75g long soon and then I'll be able to use both.

 

[Jubei2006]

Have had to replace the return on my biocube 3 times used dont remember what came with it, but used Sicce twice. Both crapped out within 2 to 3 years. Had some other cheap pumps that I used for quarantine or salt mixing, but wont rely on them for flow in my two tanks. Main flow in my biocube is a tunze nanostream, has run continuously for 10 to 12 years. I have larger tunze streams for my big tank, just havent figured out how to run or hide them yet.

 

[rtparty]

I had got 2 480gph aquaneats for my 36g but it was too much. They are really powerful. I'm going to be building up a 75g long soon and then I'll be able to use both.

How long have you run them? How long have you run the Tunze pumps I mentioned?

 

[steveschuerger]

Right now I’m using the supplied pumps that came with my IM SR60 and a Tunze 6040. I have a Nero 5 that I’m debating replacing/supplementing with the Tunze.

 

[Ken101Ward]

I have 4 Innovative Marine aqua gadget midsized for 3 plus years and am happy with them. I've sampled some Jebao power heads too though all died shortly after the one year mark.

 

[StewL6]

In my 22 nano I have two hygger DC flowheads (very small) one on each side and also have the last koralia flowing behind rock scape. Thinking of getting another Hygger for back middle of tank. For a nano really like the pumps lots of flow and four or five modes for flow. In my 110 I have one MP40 and one MP10 thinking of getting a Jabao SCP-120 . So I marked less then 100 but more then 50

 

[mattdg]

In the $50 or less Koralia or lower flow Tunze AC pumps. Will last for many years. Anything above, still Tunze and any of the MP's. I love the gyre style pumps, but most have been an unreliable maintenance nightmare, all except the Red Sea version. Easy to slide apart and clean and hasn't stalled out even once.

 

[waterboys]

I like the Tunze 6025 and Tunze 6045 for my 40 gallon breeder. Less than $100 each so I think that’s on the cheaper side for a great brand.

 

[CoralB]

Ecotech vortex MP 40’s

 

[aquaman67]

I just bought three Nero 3s

 

[tigre44]

What’s your most favorite, “cheaper” powerhead/pump for water movement in your saltwater reef aquarium?

I have two sun sun jvp101a in my 53 gal. They seem to do just fine I clean them about every 2 mos. They have lasted over two yrs. I changed the suction cup mount to magnetic about the only complaint .

 

[Spare time]

I started with some cheap no name brand.


And then I stopped when it reversed flow and skinned my valentini puffer alive

 

[ninjamyst]

Reef breeders. Its jebao with usa warranty

 

[immaman2011]

I started with some cheap no name brand.


And then I stopped when it reversed flow and skinned my valentini puffer alive

Sorry for your loss. They do have the mesh or sponge covers for them if that helps. For that just in case moment.