Gyre VS MP40's For 180

[Forsaken77]

Hey all... I have a dilemma. A few online spots have 20% off Maxspect products this weekend and I still need powerheads for my 180 I'm in the process of.

I already have an Icecap Gyre on my 93 cube. But for the FOWLR 180, would it be better to go with 2 Maxspect XF250's (1 on each side), an MP40 on each side, or a single Maxspect XF280?

I have fine grain sand, the Arag-Alive Pink stuff, and 180 pounds of CaribSea Life Rock that I'll try to keep as open of a scape as possible. Don't want sand flying around, but want detritus suspended.

Just wanted some opinions. No corals at all except I may throw in a Pulsing Xenia for nutrient export.

If I get the Maxspects it'll be now while they're 20% off. So help a brother out.... QUICKLY. Thanks

 

[mcarroll]

Tunze 6105's are a nearly perfect powerhead for a 180G. A pair will do it. A great value as well.

 

[Forsaken77]

Tunze 6105's are a nearly perfect powerhead for a 180G. A pair will do it. A great value as well.

You place them facing each other from the sides? But they are straight, jet stream pumps, right? The thing is that I don't want 4-6 powerheads all over the tank. I have like 8 different powerheads already. 2 Sicce Xtremes (3100gph roughly each), 4 brand new Koralia 3rd gen 2030's (was warranted & replaced by Hydor and I never used them because they suck), and 2 Sicce Voyager 1600's (way to big and clunky).

I want to move a lot of water around in the tank with the least amount of pumps to cover dead spots. I know 2 gyres aimed at each other will clash and recirculate downwards and back around. Or 2 powerful wide angle pumps.

I'll take a look at the Tunze's though. Appreciate the feedback.

Anyone else have any input on pumps for a 6 foot x 2 foot tank?

 

[DSC reef]

With your choices listed, I'd go with 2 XF250's

 

[Brogratz]

When it comes to power heads, I think it has to be broken down to personal preference. I personally don't use anything but ecotech. For one major reason, the wires can be hidden and don't go into the tank. Which really comes down to two reasons, if a power head was ever going to have a problem having outside the tank means it's less likely to fry your fish. Also there is a theory that powerheads inside of the tank like gyre generate extra heat which can offset your temps. So I don't think anyone can tell you what you should do. But on my peninsula I am about to get ready for, I am going with two mp40's.

 

[bif24701]

Tunze 6105's are a nearly perfect powerhead for a 180G. A pair will do it. A great value as well.

I have a pair of 6105s on my 180 and they are the best. Controlled via APEX I program them to do all kinds of funky stuff, they are amazing.

I also have an MP60, I like lots of flow. It's going to a problem with that sand, it's going to move around on you, if you have proper flow for an SPS system.

 

[Kmsutows]

I have just one gyre the old 150 on my 150gal and it does the job. Eventually I'll add another or mp40 to the other side or have both gyre horizontal on the back glass facing forward. Since I have corner overflows my gyre is vertical. At least the new gyre have some cool modes and you could have different modes running on opposite pumps

 

[Maacc]

2 xf 250's. I have 2 on my 187 and I love them, little to no detritus settling, great flow no dead spots.

 

[Kmsutows]

2 xf 250's. I have 2 on my 187 and I love them, little to no detritus settling, great flow no dead spots.

How do you have them positioned?

 

[DSC reef]

I have no temp issues running a gyre. I can see the argument compared to a cheap power head that just runs constantly but the gyre is on a controller and since I've switched it's actually less heat in the tank. Ecotech is top notch but I run a ground probe and no heat issues so spending double the money isn't worth it for my setup. Personal preference is what it comes down too.

 

[Forsaken77]

I have a pair of 6105s on my 180 and they are the best. Controlled via APEX I program them to do all kinds of funky stuff, they are amazing.

I also have an MP60, I like lots of flow. It's going to a problem with that sand, it's going to move around on you, if you have proper flow for an SPS system.

I don't have corals at all. It's FOWLR that I may add a Xenia to for nutrient export.

As for the sand, I have the Hawaiian Black in my 93 cube with the Icecap Gyre vertically and that sand blows around. But that's a cube. With the longer tank, I plan to have them at the surface facing each other.

The reason I went with a smaller grade sand is so detritus stays on top instead of getting into the sand.

I watched this YouTube video of a guy with constant algae issues on a 125. He set up a remote DSB. Didn't work. He then added another 125 gallon refugium after the sandbed in a room behind the tank. It helped a little, but not much. Then added 3 reactors. Small difference. Then he changed his sand to 00 Oolite (obviously the smallest grade sand) and that fixed his whole problem. The sand was trapping detritus, even though he vacuumed it, and now it can't penetrate through the sand.

It comes down to placement of your flow. Because even with Oolite, he had the detritus swirling around, but not the sand.

I may even mount them on the sides, low in the tank, with an upwards angle to clash.

 

[Forsaken77]

I have no temp issues running a gyre. I can see the argument compared to a cheap power head that just runs constantly but the gyre is on a controller and since I've switched it's actually less heat in the tank. Ecotech is top notch but I run a ground probe and no heat issues so spending double the money isn't worth it for my setup. Personal preference is what it comes down too.

I run ground probes on gfci outlets as well with an Icecap gyre. Haven't had any heat issues whatsoever.

I know it's preference, but I've never used an MP40 before. That's why I wanted input on them for a large setup.

 

[Antics]

I'd go with Vortech's. Much more reliable than Gyre's in my experience and a cleaner look in my opinion.

All options discussed in the thread (Gyre, Vortech, Tunze) will work great though. Best to make the choice on aesthetics and price. The gyres flow pattern won't be nearly as useful in a FOWLR.

 

[Forsaken77]

I'd go with Vortech's. Much more reliable than Gyre's in my experience and a cleaner look in my opinion.

All options discussed in the thread (Gyre, Vortech, Tunze) will work great though. Best to make the choice on aesthetics and price. The gyres flow pattern won't be nearly as useful in a FOWLR.

Why wouldn't it be nearly as useful? It's to eliminate dead spots and keep crap off the floor, right? Other than providing flow to corals, that's the objective in any tank, right?

 

[Antics]

Why wouldn't it be nearly as useful? It's to eliminate dead spots and keep crap off the floor, right? Other than providing flow to corals, that's the objective in any tank, right?

Yeah, but I think most people who are planning to spend 700$ on power heads are doing so for the benefits associated with coral health and polyp extension/growth which is very directly tied to flow patterns within the aquarium.

Having cheaper powerheads that move water but have a couple dead spots in the aquarium is much easier to justify when the detritus buildup is solved by 20 minutes and 10 gallons of water on a Saturday.

 

[Forsaken77]

Yeah, but I think most people who are planning to spend 700$ on power heads are doing so for the benefits associated with coral health and polyp extension/growth which is very directly tied to flow patterns within the aquarium.

Having cheaper powerheads that move water but have a couple dead spots in the aquarium is much easier to justify when the detritus buildup is solved by 20 minutes and 10 gallons of water on a Saturday.

The only reason I asked this question was because with the 20% off on Maxspect this weekend, two Xf250 gyres is $400 total. One with the controller and one without the controller.

The thing I don't like with gyres is they're a pain in the butt to clean. I just wanted a powerful, quiet pump that can reach the other side of a 6 foot tank to circulate the water. Like I said in the original post, I have a ton of semi-powerful powerheads, but don't want 4 pumps, with their cords, in the tank.

Maybe I'll make do with what I got already and wait for a black friday sale on ecotech. I still need a Vecta L1 return pump anyway.

 

[Antics]

I don't think Ecotech has done a Black Friday sale on their Vortech's in years. I wouldn't hold out for that to be honest.

I have purchased 6 or 7 Vortech's over the years and they all still work. Some with the original wet side dating back to ~2012. I think their reliability is unmatched as far as the Gyre which I think is much more difficult to keep clean (as you noted) and also much more likely to have issues with the wet side.

I definitely recommend the Vortech's due to the clean cordless interior and the reliability. However, that is assuming your budget can afford what ultimately is a purchase of convenience and aesthetics more than need.

Just my two cents.

 

[Forsaken77]

I don't think Ecotech has done a Black Friday sale on their Vortech's in years. I wouldn't hold out for that to be honest.

I have purchased 6 or 7 Vortech's over the years and they all still work. Some with the original wet side dating back to ~2012. I think their reliability is unmatched as far as the Gyre which I think is much more difficult to keep clean (as you noted) and also much more likely to have issues with the wet side.

I definitely recommend the Vortech's due to the clean cordless interior and the reliability. However, that is assuming your budget can afford what ultimately is a purchase of convenience and aesthetics more than need.

Just my two cents.

None of us "NEED" any of the more expensive gear, especially an Apex, . It always comes down to want. A lot of stuff in this hobby you get what you pay for as well. Do you want something that lasts or something you need to replace every year?

My brother also has retail accounts setup with a lot of distributors and gets me the items for cost, except big items that need to be shipped because you have to pay for shipping with retail accounts from BRS and Marine Depot. So it doesn't always pay, like the Trigger 39 sump I ordered.

We live right by a Royal/Spectrum Brands distribution site on the east coast so picking stuff up from them isn't hard. I just have to get him to setup an account with Ecotechs distributor because going through MD or BRS is only $50 cheaper on most Ecotech products.

I actually was in the process of paying for the two gyres when I got an email of your post and then decided against them. Just seemed like a deal too good to pass up and I was being impulsive. The gyres are great but too much maintenance to clean them. You shouldn't have to watch a YouTube video on how to disassemble/reassemble any pump.

I'm going with 2 MP40's on each side, one towards the front and the other towards the back. The problem I've been having is finding a Vectra L1. They are on backorder everywhere. It's the only dc pump that can handle the head height I need.

So all I need is the return pump, Deltec skimmer, and the powerheads. And an algae reactor, but I'm still trying to nail down good working led's.

 

[Husker]

Tunze 6105's are a nearly perfect powerhead for a 180G. A pair will do it. A great value as well.

Mcarrol proselytized to me on Tunze 6105s. I took his advice and got 2 for my 5' peninsula and am incredibly grateful for the advice. It was a great decision. The Tunze pumps hit the 5' back wall with velocity that was unmatched by my way more expensive MP60. I now have my MP60 in my 55 gallon refugium wasting time until someone will buy it. (I know I am not doing incredibly advertising as I promote Tunze... buy my MP60?..ha)

The 6105s allow me to keep all 3 sides of my peninsula free from powerheads and my SPS on the far side of the tank are rocking in the current. You can tell by the sane and the water surface that there is some serious agitation with only those two pumps.

 

[DSC reef]

I'd go with Vortech's. Much more reliable than Gyre's in my experience and a cleaner look in my opinion.

All options discussed in the thread (Gyre, Vortech, Tunze) will work great though. Best to make the choice on aesthetics and price. The gyres flow pattern won't be nearly as useful in a FOWLR.

I have to disagree. The gyre will be just as useful in a Fowler. They look cleaner, definitely reliable and half the cost of multiple vortechs