Help choosing powerheads for 240 gal

dputt88 · Jul 28, 2018

so i have 4 return lines to my tank that are from a RO Varios-8 (2700 gph) as well as a jebao wp-40 that is several years old. yesterday i notice that the jebao wasnt working correctly (Issue with the controller) and it made me start thinking about adding more flow to this tank as i am getting ready to start adding coral to the tank.

here are my options
Add 2 Jebao RW-20s (5300 each)with an apex adapter ($165)
best cost, most flow. but i am worried about how long they will last. I have had 2 jebaos in the past and they worked for years. will take a couple weeks to arrive.
Add 2 WAV (4000 gph each) pumps ($349)
this is the most expensive and for that reason they probably aren't the best option for me. however it would be nice to just plug them into my Apex without having to buy another module. they will arrive this week. how long to these last?
Add a Gyre Pump (5300 gph) with an gyre interface module ($285)
this option seems ok. Its has the lowest amount of flow and the cost of the module seems quite high. not very familiar with these pumps. how long to they last?

DSC reef · Jul 28, 2018

A maxspect XF280 would provide some serious flow. 6000gph flow from a gyre is so different than 6000gph from traditional powerheads.

dputt88 · Jul 28, 2018

I couldn't find a stand alone XF280, just the 250s

found one, its an extra $150, that's way too much money for an extra 700 gph

dputt88 · Jul 29, 2018

ca1ore · Jul 29, 2018

I have not found the Jebao pumps to be all that enduring - I guess they are priced to be disposable. I like the WAV, though they have had a tendency to short out. Maybe the problem is fixed now. I don't personally like gyre pumps. They're good at providing 'gross' water movement, but not turbulent flow.

DSC reef · Jul 29, 2018

ca1ore said:
I have not found the Jebao pumps to be all that enduring - I guess they are priced to be disposable. I like the WAV, though they have had a tendency to short out. Maybe the problem is fixed now. I don't personally like gyre pumps. They're good at providing 'gross' water movement, but not turbulent flow.

2 gyres on each end is a large amount of "turbulent" flow.

dputt88 · Jul 29, 2018

well i bought a single WAV from the open box page (used by BRSTV) for now. I wanted to go with the Gyre but it was too much money, if those IceCap modules weren't $125 I would have gone with Gyre for sure. but since I have a Apex all i had to spend was $160 and the Jebao still works for now so i guess i will just go with this setup for now and when the current Jebao dies i will add another WAV.

jda · Jul 29, 2018

Gyre is not for everybody. They are too linear and not all that random. I have on in a current tank and you can see some of the thinner branched acropora "leaning" with the flow.

I like to be able to point stuff, so I tend to go to Tunze. I will not use Jeabo under any circumstance. If you need cheaper, then look at AquaMedic Ecodrift... they are very powerful and not too expensive. They are better than WAV pumps, IMO.