flow options for a SPS 40B

[Raggamuffin]

right now I am running with nothing but a 1000gph return that after head hieght and such might be pushing 700gph. my problem is that most powerheads take up a pretty darn big chunk of real estate which in a 40 breeder is at a premium. does anybody have thoughts or opinions one what I should snag up on a so-so budget? (I wont be buying a pair of MP10's)

 

[pumarjr]

Budget reefing is a difficult thing to do. It's like buying a horse and feeding it dog food. No pun intended.
Grab a couple Hydor Koralia 3's, and the new Hydor Wave controller for $70. less than $150 bucks for 2 K3's and the new wave maker. I just checked Marine Depots site, the have all three.
Hydor USA Adjustable Flow Aquarium Powerheads | Marine Depot

 

[subielover]

I had 2 mp20's in mine and it was great. I picked up the pair used for a great price. Just look for a good deal. I went with the vortechs because as you said space is at a premium in smaller tanks like the 40B

 

[butts182]

just save up for the vortechs. you already said that space is at a premium. I have a MP20 and a MP40 on my 40 breeder.

 

[jlemoine2]

I have 2 Koralia 4's in my 40 breeder frag tank in addition to the return flow. The powerheads are on an alternating pattern. I don't think it is enough. I've been considering an MP-20 (or 2) as well.

 

[-Logzor]

Perhaps you could do some DIY and install a small closed loop? I doubt that's an option as you probably don't want to tear your reef apart.

 

[Raggamuffin]

hehe the korilia's where exactly what I had in mind when I was thinking of taking up way to much space, those things are HUGE! when I said a so-so budget I really meant 200-300 bucks is very doable but 500+ for 2 mp10 ES's not so much...

 

[reefaholic420]

so get one mp40...that would do some serious work in a 40 breeder

 

[Bandomo]

+1

One MP40 and you're good to go. If your tank isn't heavily stocked at the moment and you have a light aqua scape, I then would recommend 1 MP10w and in time, save and purchase the 2nd MP10 when your tank matures and is in heavy need for more flow. Currently i'm running 2 x MP10w, I have no doubt that one MP10 could have taken care of the tank for the first year as I stocked up on frags. Hope this helps. Oh, and you could easily find a used MP10w in your price range.

 

[Raggamuffin]

so what is the diffrence between mp10 w/e/es? I know ES is wireless and can be run in tandem with another.

 

[Reefltx]

No, ES just stands for EcoSmart. W = wireless. I have two mp10 on my 40g which I got used for $300. You could probably get away with two tunze 6025 for less than $100.

 

[DBarsotti]

i used 2 K3's and 2 K2's in my old 40, worked out very well. just hide them in the corners like thiiisss.

 

[Raggamuffin]

Oh that is BEAUTIFUL! And it gives me a great idea! you get 3 internets DBarsotti. My tank is definately what you would call custom by me, to the point I think I could trade mark the crazyness lol. I could do 2 k2's behind my rock work pointing to my back corners (set them up ON my overflow box) to clean out any dead spots back there, and 2 K3-4's in the top back corners going at a 45 to the front center glass and use the wave maker I already have to control them.

 

[DJ_in_WV]

the newer 1in sqwd works well and can be taken apart cleaned and rebuild unlike the old ones with the barb fittings and at 80 buck not a bad deal I have one on my 40b fuge work great

 

[creefer]

Glad I found this thread. I'm planning a SPS dominant 40B right now and have been wondering about flow. I have an MP10 and a Tunze 6045 that I plan on using with hopes of it being enough.