More Flow?

[DarkReefer]

Hi All,

I have a Waterbox 70.2 - which has approx 47ish gallon DT.
Currently I have only a single Nero 3 which isn't running anywhere near full power. (I think during the day it might fluctuate from around 15-20% to about 40-50%).

Recently I made an error purchasing an Ecotech Battery Backup thinking it would run my Nero.
I figure I have 2-3 options. 1) Try and sell locally 2) Go all in and buy an MP10 and add it to the tank or 3) put it away for a rainy day/upgrade.

Thinking about option 2. I'm not entirely sure whether it would be worth adding another pump to the tank and whether there's any benefit.
Just wondering whether other people with similar sized/slightly larger or smaller tanks have run 2 powerheads.

Is there a benefit in this at all or not really?
There's adequate flow in the tank already, I could even add more by ramping up the Nero a little so seems pointless to add another.
Not too interested in having the Nero 3 replaced at the moment, haven't had an issue with it really in the past 18 months I've had it, plus the MP10 is not only more expensive, but bulkier and also unable to be pointed.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

Depends on what kind of coral you want to keep. if just softies and LPS the nero is enough since that kind of tank 30-50x tank volume is a decent target. If your plan is SPS, you could go up to a nero 3 plus an mp10 both at close to 100% random and not be overdoing it.

 

[undermind]

Yeah agreed with zombie. It depends on what you're after. Assuming you have sand in the tank? And what kind of coral are you into?

I definitely prefer the flexibility and usefulness of having 2 pumps for the tank. You can do some cool stuff when you can push/pull the water mass. 1 pump is much more limiting.

If it feels like a lot right now to buy another expensive pump though, just wait on it. When you need it in the future, you'll know it.

 

[DarkReefer]

Thanks guys.

Tank is going to be a mixed reef (at least that is the aim).
Has sand, currently has some nems, LPS, softies & a few SPS.

Obviously need to make sure I'm not blowing some of these around like mad, but obviously toying with the idea if it's worth the extra money putting in for the mp10.

Also want to upgrade in the next 12 months (or once I have bought a place), to something much larger provided everything goes well with this tank. So whilst it's entirely possible I could utilise the backup and pumps in future, it's also possible that it could just be sitting there adding to my reefing clutter
That's if I dont use it now.

 

[blaxsun]

I'd get the MP10 and don't look back. Way too many complaints about Nero3/5's lately for my liking.

 

[Reef.]

I wouldn’t buy the mp10, you seem to be only going for that pump to make use of the battery but you would then be missing out on the best feature of the eco techs and that’s their ability to sync with each other to get amazing flow patterns.

Sell the battery or the Nero, and buy matching powerheads, you are committing lot of money to this, why would you want to finish up with mismatched pumps and missing out of features after dropping all that money.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Get the mp30.... lol!
Honestly I'd get an slw jaebo pump. I love my little slw-5. I just use it in my sump for water surface movement but it really is a great little bargain pump and might get you the flow for the.price your looking for.
Think they make at least 3 or 4 different size models.
D

 

[undermind]

Since you're going to have SPS, you'll definitely want 2 pumps.

There are several replies here with different proposals on how to essentially get multiple pumps (2 Ecotechs, multiple jebaos, haven't heard 2 Nero's have we?). But maybe you have an idea that we're not considering. But yeah I think 2 pumps is a must with SPS. You could start watching the classifieds too.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If you have only one powerhead, then I say get another. Even at minimum power, 2 powerheads makes more random flow patterns than just one.

 

[DarkReefer]

I'd get the MP10 and don't look back. Way too many complaints about Nero3/5's lately for my liking.

LOL, see I don't know if I just have blinders on but I haven't seen too many. From what I've read even the MP10s etc can be a pain, like people are talking about having to swap out the wet side etc and corrosion in them.

I wouldn’t buy the mp10, you seem to be only going for that pump to make use of the battery but you would then be missing out on the best feature of the eco techs and that’s their ability to sync with each other to get amazing flow patterns.

Sell the battery or the Nero, and buy matching powerheads, you are committing lot of money to this, why would you want to finish up with mismatched pumps and missing out of features after dropping all that money.

I didn't realise there was actually a feature like this with the ecotechs. I'll look into that a bit more.

Get the mp30.... lol!
Honestly I'd get an slw jaebo pump. I love my little slw-5. I just use it in my sump for water surface movement but it really is a great little bargain pump and might get you the flow for the.price your looking for.
Think they make at least 3 or 4 different size models.
D

Appreciate the suggestion, not necessarily flow hunting as such, although that's certainly a consideration I'm factoring in.

Since you're going to have SPS, you'll definitely want 2 pumps.

There are several replies here with different proposals on how to essentially get multiple pumps (2 Ecotechs, multiple jebaos, haven't heard 2 Nero's have we?). But maybe you have an idea that we're not considering. But yeah I think 2 pumps is a must with SPS. You could start watching the classifieds too.

Yeah, have been watching the classifieds much to my gf's disgust LOL, keep seeing bigger aquariums for sale and the like that I want hahaha. Didn't realise it was such an important factor if keeping SPS to have the 2 pumps.

If you have only one powerhead, then I say get another. Even at minimum power, 2 powerheads makes more random flow patterns than just one.

Certainly have thought about it a few times in the past 12 months or so.

Missus hates my spending habits though so usually have to reason as to why I'm getting this or that. So far keeping the battery and adding another unit has been a hard sell LOL