Gyre xf280 vs MP40 for shallow mixed reef

[NatD]

Hello. I am in the process of selecting and purchasing equipment for a 4' x 4' x 18" (180 gal) mixed reef.

I am torn between 2x MP40 (4500 gph each so 9000 for both) or 2x Gyre xf280 (6000 each so 12000 together).

I had been planning for a long time on the MP40s, but am now quite tempted by the Gyres.

With the tank being so shallow, and it will have 1-1.5" of sand, I like that the Gyres can concentrate the flow toward the top and create varying flow zones for SPS vs LPS.

Thoughts? I am currently leaning toward the Gyres.

 

[roberthu526]

If you consider yourself a diligent person, then go with the Gyre. Otherwise go with the vortech. Gyre provides excellent flow but the maintenance frequency and difficulty of disassemble and assemble is another level compare to vortech

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I have a gyre and love it. Ive read a few threads on here about people that have both and say they prefer the flow of the gyres. Ive seen a few threads of people that want to trade the MPs for gyres.

 

[User1]

Depends on the maturity of the tank. You could split the Gyre line and go with a pair of XF250's instead. The 280's are larger and the 250's already move a metric ton of water. I have a pair in my 210 and have since taken one off line. If you are considering the Gyre's I would recommend watching the BRS video on them in which they discuss custom wave patterns and then look for @pelphrey 's video. He did an amazing job on a video which covers flow patterns and the difficulty of getting a flow pattern without blowing everything around.

The key with Gyre's, especially when using two of them, is breaking up the flow on a tank that is new or relatively new. Meaning a new tank with frags vs. a mature tank with larger colonies or amount of corals and rock to break flow. I can't stress this enough because, well, this is what I run into all the time and why I've taken one off line.

One trick you can do, if you want to run a pair, is to use a custom schedule and alternate left and right flow. If you think about it - it sort of makes sense anyway because there is a high tide and a low tide...makes sense to do something similar in the tank. I had that going for a while and it worked well. The only issue is the controller does not let you have any sliding window which is sort of a buzz kill. In any case if you do go with the Gyre figured I'd throw out my experience and some useful videos.

 

[ksed]

Bump

 

[NatD]

Thanks all. Good info. Lots to consider.

I do consider myself diligent, but I can also think of far more entertaining ways to spend time with my tank than extra time spent cleaning pumps.

The ease of use with the Vortechs and the ability add and move them to adjust flow (without cords in the tank) is a real benefit too. With this oddly shaped tank it's hard to say what I'll need as things grow in.

Again, thanks for the thoughts to consider. Appreciated.