Need help with flow

[Sick_man]

Hi, I want to get a circulation pump for my tank but they are sorta expensive for me. There are some cheap ones on Amazon that circulate the water at a constant rate without change but I heard that it isn't that good. Should I get one pump? Should I get 2? What are your suggestions? I would really like the ones with a control to have a wave mode but I need some inexpensive options.

 

[Billldg]

How big is your tank? Bulk Reef Supply has pumps for all levels of expense.

 

[Oropher]

hardy fish should be ok with stream AC pump; and there are some softies and LPS that can thrive with stream pump.
but controllable DC pump is more versatile. if you would want to upgrade later on, it's better to get one since the beginning as it would lower the total investment while getting more flexibility.

however if you want a reef tank, then light is way more important. for flow you could get away with just return pump output for certain coral.