Need advice with flow in a 65 gallon reef

[Thanos]

I'm honestly just really stuck with figuring out what kind of powerhead to get, how many to get, and how to position them. I watched some of the BRS videos on the topic and I swear they just made it 10x more confusing. Basically, I'm planning on having a mostly softy/LPS reef and there's a central rock structure that spans the tank long-ways with several arches and holes throughout it. There's two very clear dead spots I can see and they're in opposite corners so I'm guessing I need 2 powerheads, although what kind I don't know. I ideally I want to spend under $350 so Vortechs are out of the question, but there seems to be very limited information in this hobby on pumps that aren't Vortechs or Nero's. Any recommendations?

 

[blaxsun]

Just get a pair of Tunze 6015 Nanostreams. That's all you really need and it won't break the bank. These things are rock solid dependable and should you want to upgrade in the future - they work great for mixing salt.

 

[Potatohead]

If this is your primary flow I would probably go for a pair of Nero 3's or a used pair of MP10's. AC pumps are good for dead spots but I wouldn't use them for main flow.

 

[Slocke]

I got 2 Akamai KPS for 120 each. They have an app with a softy/LPS setting that I really like. The only issue is that it uses wifi rather than bluetooth which is a massive pain in the neck.

 

[Slocke]

I got 2 Akamai KPS for 120 each. They have an app with a softy/LPS setting that I really like. The only issue is that it uses wifi rather than bluetooth which is a massive pain in the neck.

Aquamai

 

[Thanos]

Just get a pair of Tunze 6015 Nanostreams. That's all you really need and it won't break the bank. These things are rock solid dependable and should you want to upgrade in the future - they work great for mixing salt.

I've heard of these as an excellent budget option but the flow seems really narrow and I don't want to create these focused streams of flow that blast coral in their path but barely make a different outside of it.

 

[Thanos]

If this is your primary flow I would probably go for a pair of Nero 3's or a used pair of MP10's. AC pumps are good for dead spots but I wouldn't use them for main flow.

What exactly is the issue with AC pumps as the main circulation?

 

[blaxsun]

I've heard of these as an excellent budget option but the flow seems really narrow and I don't want to create these focused streams of flow that blast coral in their path but barely make a different outside of it.

Trust me - the flow isn't narrow. But there are certainly other options like the Nero 3s (good luck finding them right now though).

 

[Potatohead]

What exactly is the issue with AC pumps as the main circulation?

The flow is the same all the time, there is no variance. There are old school on/off wavemaker type things but these are primitive, and wear the pumps a lot faster.