Is one mp40 better than none?

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

I can only afford one mp40 right now in my 60 gallon tank. Just looking to get rid of a dead spot and keep my tank cleaner at this time. Will that work with just one powerhead?

mcarroll · Mar 25, 2017

Money is better spent elsewhere if you're that tight.

A pair ofAC powered Tunze 6045's (at $78/ea) will to A LOT more work than a single mp40.

If you want to be a controllability snob, you can swing a pair of 6040's for only $280.

What are the actual dimensions of your tank?

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

mcarroll said:
Money is better spent elsewhere if you're that tight.

A pair ofAC powered Tunze 6045's (at $78/ea) will to A LOT more work than a single mp40.

If you want to be a controllability snob, you can swing a pair of 6040's for only $240.

What are the actual dimensions of your tank?

36x18 21 high overflow in the corner

mcarroll · Mar 25, 2017

Definitely....I ran a 50 gallon (36x18x18) on two 6045's and grew it WAY FULL of stony corals before I needed to add a third. (I tried upgrading to two mp40's first, but they couldn't flow a tank that full.)

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

Hmmm... I only have two soft corals so that's not my main focus. Bought the mp40 but I didn't open it yet. Debating now.

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

mcarroll said:
Definitely....I ran a 50 gallon (36x18x18) on two 6045's and grew it WAY FULL of stony corals before I needed to add a third. (I tried upgrading to two mp40's first, but they couldn't flow a tank that full.)

Not sure what you mean by a tank that full?

Reefing4eva · Mar 25, 2017

I have a dc return pump with an accel flow accelerator and one mp40 on my 60 cube.i only run my mp40 at 30%max and it's more than enough

Schwabie33 · Mar 25, 2017

Why not go with 2 mp10s, practically can find them for the same price of the mp40s.

Then down the road you can upgrade to the qd for even more output.

Fish Werx · Mar 25, 2017

Is one scoop of ice cream better than none?!?! haha! But seriously, its kind of the same thing...

mcarroll · Mar 25, 2017

Cflip said:
Hmmm... I only have two soft corals so that's not my main focus. Bought the mp40 but I didn't open it yet. Debating now.

The mp40 will probably work OK in a tank that's mostly empty.

Honestly, a set of mp10's would be a smarter move for this size of tank, but it's probably just as bad budget-wise as you still need a minimum of two. You will eventually want three, IMO.

Under a tight budget, I just can't see spending limited funds this way. If the mp40 is returnable, I'd return it.

Cflip said:
Not sure what you mean by a tank that full?

Switching my two little 6045's for two humongous (and expensive) mp40's I was expecting an upgrade in the tank's flow experience.

But with the tank being as full of corals as it was, the mp40's seemed almost powerless.

They seem to depend heavily on being able to generate some momentum in the water.

No room in my tank, meant no "free water" to put momentum into...there was a coral in every direction. LOL.

The corals that had a face toward the mp40's would get OK flow, but every other part of the coral – and other corals behind it – would essentially be in a dead zone. I experimented like crazy with placement, but there were limited options available in a tank that full. With mp40's being "unidirectional" it was just a non-starter.

The 6045's can be placed and angled precisely to your will, so I was still able to capitalize on some channels of free water that the mp40's just couldn't use. So I ended up adding a third 6045 and put the mp40's in a box.

The tank continued to flourish with the set of three 6045's.

Humongous bang for your buck with those pumps. Just not very glamorous since they aren't controllable.

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

Schwabie33 said:
Why not go with 2 mp10s, practically can find them for the same price of the mp40s.

Then down the road you can upgrade to the qd for even more output.

I think my glass is too thick for the mp10

Cflip · Mar 25, 2017

Fish Werx said:
Is one scoop of ice cream better than none?!?! haha! But seriously, its kind of the same thing...

Still trying to learn all the in and outs of this hobby. I'm sure after I install it I will know but it would be good to know before that time while I can still return it.

Fish Werx · Mar 25, 2017

Cflip said:
Still trying to learn all the in and outs of this hobby. I'm sure after I install it I will know but it would be good to know before that time while I can still return it.

Right on, I actually run 2 Jebao RW-8s... Super cheap, will blow all your stuff over if your not careful. They connect to each other wirelessly, but I have no idea about to any other type controllers? I run them in a 120 and have to keep them turned way down. Plenty of flow. Probably not anywhere near as reliable or nicely made as an MPanything though!

Ant.w · Mar 25, 2017

Had one mp40 on my 75 gallon for about a year had no issue's now have two and love them

Schwabie33 · Mar 25, 2017

Cflip said:
I think my glass is too thick for the mp10

I've ran them on 1/2 acrylic as well as 1/2 glass with no issues - but the slightest bit of knick would/could knock them off, the issue comes into play when they are on star fire due to the low iron content but some do just fine.

The trick is to always use the stickies that come with the pump.

Also had zero issues with 3/8 glass.

My personal experience, maybe try to find a buddy that you could borrow it for the day and see if there would be a issue.

mcarroll · Mar 25, 2017

Schwabie33 said:
I've ran them on 1/2 acrylic as well as 1/2 glass with no issues - but the slightest bit of knick would/could knock them off, the issue comes into play when they are on star fire due to the low iron content but some do just fine.

The trick is to always use the stickies that come with the pump.

+1!!!!!!!

I've suffered broken corals due to this. (Prolly lucky I didn't suffer broken glass.)

USE THE 3M CABLE ANCHORS. I thought they sorta looked trashy but Ecotech included them for a darn good reason.

Reefing4eva · Mar 26, 2017

I use to have an 2 mp10's on my 60 cube and they constantly fell off even will the cable anchors and zip ties and having the dryside going crazy on my glass.I wouldn't chance it

Kyle Sicard · Mar 26, 2017

I have 2 mp40 QD's on a 120g and they are plenty of flow. I cant turn them up past 45% or my lps get blown everywhere. I set the tank up in a way where rocks dont obstruct the mp40's and they put out plenty of flow for my needs.