help me pick a powerhead?

DracoKat · Jul 27, 2016

Last topic created for a while, promise!

I realized my 75 gal RR (48"w) tank does not have a powerhead. it has the typical return pump coming from the overflow area.vi am planning on mixed corals

I know I'll be needing a powerhead to go on the other side of the tank. I am confused to what flow rate I'd need.. can someone chime in with some suggestions, budget friendly? Would one suffice or should I get a wave maker with 2 powerheads?

Please and thank you!

jdl513 · Jul 27, 2016

Depends on what you mean by budget friendly. I would get a controllable system from a reputable manufacturer.

jsker · Jul 27, 2016

Gyre 130. Great power head and the are coming out with a new controller. I have two in my 72

Shep · Jul 27, 2016

Depending on budget

High budget: Vortechs or Maxspect Gyre

Lower budget: Hydor koralia w/their smart wave controller

Salty1962 · Jul 27, 2016

jsker said:
Gyre 130. Great power head and the are coming out with a new controller. I have two in my 72

+1, I have one on my 70G Artisan II and it moves allot of water.

mcarroll · Jul 28, 2016

I think $156 for a pair of Tunze 6045's gives you a decent start if you just want a basic, new set of equipment to start with.

This combo, run alternating on timers for a tide simulation will work fine for the beginning. Which can be done with two simple appliance timers, BTW, but...

I still recommend getting at least a Reefkeeper Lite controller before you spend too much on power strips, DJ panels, wall-wart extension cables, "wave makers" , et al. I spent more on all that than I did on my basic Lite package ($120) when I finally pulled the trigger and got it. A controller does waaay more than a set of power strips and timers tho.

You can later upgrade that system by adding one or more of the controllable pump options from Tunze or other...or even just adding another pair of 6045's. Four of them gives you some rear-kicking flow options in a four foot tank even if you just keep to the basic tide-simulation theme...and you've still only spent $300. They're really small and due to their flexibility in mounting, are pretty easy to place out of view. In fact, if "out of view" is of importance, Tunze even sells a ceramic live-rock replica mounting for almost all of their pumps so they can literally be hidden within/on/near your rock work. They have a lot of good options to pick from.

Whatever you decide on, if you're serious about being on a budget, see what the best deal is you can get on the R2R used equipment forum. A really good deal can make you more flexible on what you want....and that can be an OK thing.

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

thankyou all!

I have a reefkeeper lite controller that a friend gave me. I need to get a new probe for it though

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

jsker said:
Gyre 130. Great power head and the are coming out with a new controller. I have two in my 72

I've decided on the Gyre. Do you know when they're coming out with the new controller? I may wait for the new one (I am in no rush to buy anything right now)

thank you everyone!

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

DracoKat said:
I've decided on the Gyre. Do you know when they're coming out with the new controller? I may wait for the new one (I am in no rush to buy anything right now)

thank you everyone!

I just emailed coralvue to see. Here is a video show the 280 and the new controller

G8trBait16 · Jul 28, 2016

On my Deep Blue 75g RR, I have 2 vortech MP40's. I had 1 MP40 and 1 MP10, but decided to make the jump to 2 of them, definitely not budget friendly though.

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

thanks for the video on the gyre!!

I've decided to get the 130- the new one looks too advanced and complicated for me, lol. and I am sure will cost twice as much.

Knapp870 · Jul 28, 2016

For budget friendly and controllable you cannot beat Jebao in my opinion. I've ran a wp40 for years and it turns alot of water very well! They only run around 70 bucks I think.

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

DracoKat said:
thanks for the video on the gyre!!

I've decided to get the 130- the new one looks too advanced and complicated for me, lol. and I am sure will cost twice as much.

I just got an email back from coralvue and they are not sure on the release date. The thing I picked up on in the video is that you new controller will work with the older gyre's.

Knapp870 said:
For budget friendly and controllable you cannot beat Jebao in my opinion. I've ran a wp40 for years and it turns alot of water very well! They only run around 70 bucks I think.

I just like the cleaner looks of the Gyre's on the top of the tank over having the traditional pumps. I do have a MP 40 running in the tank also but that pump is in the lower part of the tank hidden by the aquascape.

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

I agree, the gyro is cleaner looking, less bulky. another reason why I went for that, lol.

Can I hook it to the overflow cover or does it have to be on the glass? I figured the cover would hide it a bit more, black on black.

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

DracoKat said:
I agree, the gyro is cleaner looking, less bulky. another reason why I went for that, lol.

Can I hook it to the overflow cover or does it have to be on the glass? I figured the cover would hide it a bit more, black on black.

Just looked at you build thread and tank. Are you planning to run the gyre vertical or horizontal? If vertical yes you can run it off the over flow and I would have the gyre set down a few inch from the top of the overflow. Ideally would be to have the pump down on the right end pushing the water toward the overflow as the gyre pulls from the bottom into the over flow for filtration

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

thanks!

I figured the pump on the right side would be the best bet, but it's the most visible area- the first side you see when you walk into the room. I don't want people seeing it first. if it looks terrible, I'll move it to the overflow side.

I just ordered it from BRS. Can't wait to get it in!

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

DracoKat said:
thanks!

I figured the pump on the right side would be the best bet, but it's the most visible area- the first side you see when you walk into the room. I don't want people seeing it first. if it looks terrible, I'll move it to the overflow side.

I just ordered it from BRS. Can't wait to get it in!

Here is a quick video of the movement and placement. Not bad at all with how they look in the tank

instead of a big round orb hanging from the side.

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

Got to love ring tone in the back ground

DracoKat · Jul 28, 2016

I bet you scrambled to get your phone upon hearing it ring in the video, lol.

doesn't look bad at all! I appreciate your time in helping and chatting with me here

jsker · Jul 28, 2016

DracoKat said:
I bet you scrambled to get your phone upon hearing it ring in the video, lol.

doesn't look bad at all! I appreciate your time in helping and chatting with me here

Nothing is that important that can wait

unless it is the miss texting or calling. have to pick that one up

Not a problem chatting and helping. I would rather you have all the information and different views, so that you can make your decision.

The box the gyre comes with is pretty cool and you get a different set of impellers to run different flow patterns and some spear parts. I have be running mine at constant 50% for a year and 3 months. The only issue I have had is when I was doing my 3 month cleaning I messed up one of the bushing on one of the impeller blades. I robbed the bushing for one of the other impellers and off I went. I did order the new blades but have not put them in yet.

Let us know how you like yours, when you get them.