New powerheads

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Hi all, I need recommendations. I have the AI Nero 3 powerheads for my DT. Many of my reefer friends recommended them to me. I've hated them and the AI app from day one. I've had the powerheads for maybe 2 years and I've had (between the 2 of them) them die and malfunction on me a total of 4 times. The past 3 times AI sent me new ones and it's the same crap. Last night one developed the red light and I've tried everything to fix it. I'm sick of them and I would like recommendations on new powerheads. My tank of a 40g tall and I have a variety of corals. Thanks again in advance for any recommendations

 

[Gman83]

I have icecap 2k gyres, and a nero 3. I'm thinking of switching out to jebao. I've seen a lot of people like them. On Amazon, they are relatively cheap, and have good reviewz.

 

[DanyL]

+1 on jebaos, they become pretty good and last years with no problems from my own experience.

If you’re willing to spend more, the Vortechs are now at 15% discount on BRS.

I use both - the MP40’s + Gyres (I have a mixture of ReefWave and Jebaos across 2 tanks) as the main flow, and small Nero-Like jebaos for dead zones.

 

[CO2TLEY]

I’ve only ever had Neros. I never had any issues except for a Nero 5 that rusted maybe from neglect so i gave it the benefit of the doubt. If i ever switched it would be MP10s or MP40s

 

[LPS Bum]

I’ve been happy with the ReefWave 45 from Red Sea. Super easy to clean a few times a year in a bucket of fresh water and citric acid. Good flow and fully controllable.

The 25 might be a better sized gyre for your system.

 

[mfinn]

I have to recommend Tunze. A pair of 6055's.
They don't have a fancy app ( or crappy app). You set them and they run. For years and years.
I have a 6105 that's 15 years old and still works, quietly.
My pair of 6055's are about 8 years.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Tunze for sure, they dont ever stop and Tunze support is legendary.

For larger tank I can strongly recommend Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I have to recommend Tunze. A pair of 6055's.
They don't have a fancy app ( or crappy app). You set them and they run. For years and years.
I have a 6105 that's 15 years old and still works, quietly.
My pair of 6055's are about 8 years.

I second this!

 

[DanyL]

Oh right, completely forgot about these - both Tunze and Octo Pulse are great options, and at different price points.

The Tunze is a little bulky, but can push quite a lot of water.

The Octo Pulse 2/4 is more similar to the MP10/40, but with a more narrow flow, and with cord inside the tank.

 

[Jekyl]

+1 jebao

 

[BZOFIQ]

The Octo Pulse 2/4 is more similar to the MP10/40, but with a more narrow flow, and with cord inside the tank.

But its direction can be adjusted a bit and they can be supplemented with extra strong magnet for 3/4" glass.

 

[DanyL]

But its direction can be adjusted a bit and they can be supplemented with extra strong magnet for 3/4" glass.

That’s true.
It can be adjusted which is a big plus.
Also, I mentioned the narrower flow as a positive thing actually, I simply forgot to mention the fact that while it’s narrower, it’s also works better for a longer distance.

As for the Extra Strong magnets - it’s actually one of the reasons I ended up going with the MP40. I really tried to find them in stock, anywhere. I simply failed to purchase them. Hopefully they are now more available then when I looked for them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Gyre by Ice Cap or Maxspect

Sicce Voyager

 

[BZOFIQ]

That’s true.
It can be adjusted which is a big plus.
Also, I mentioned the narrower flow as a positive thing actually, I simply forgot to mention the fact that while it’s narrower, it’s also works better for a longer distance.

As for the Extra Strong magnets - it’s actually one of the reasons I ended up going with the MP40. I really tried to find them in stock, anywhere. I simply failed to purchase them. Hopefully they are now more available then when I looked for them.

If there is one thing I can add is that I have a 270G tank with 3/4" sides and the OP4 with original magnets work fine. It's the OP2 that would require them on such thick glass.

The amazing thing about the OP4 is that they push so much water that I run them on 30% random and they are absolutely silent.

 

[DanyL]

If there is one thing I can add is that I have a 270G tank with 3/4" sides and the OP4 with original magnets work fine. It's the OP2 that would require them on such thick glass.

The amazing thing about the OP4 is that they push so much water that I run them on 30% random and they are absolutely silent.

I wish I knew this at that time, I would’ve easily purchased them instead.
At least now it’s documented here, because all the information I could find about it is that it was needed for both.

Octo is also a far more respectful company in my opinion, and they’re also compatible with Hydros which is a plus.

The MP40 still has its pros, the “cordless” design can sometimes look better in a display, and it also makes it far easier to clean the pump when needed.

But yeah, Octo Pulse definitely has a lot to its benefit.

 

[FUNGI]

Bullet proof...

 

[t5Nitro]

Here’s a vote for jebao and tunze. The only problem I ran into with jebao powerheads is disconnecting the cable from the controller to take the pump out to clean it, then reconnected the cable to the controller while plugged into the wall ended up shorting the controller.

I’d recommend disconnecting the whole thing from the wall before plugging the pump back in. Maybe that’s why pump with controller, not sure. The tunze is also great but you have to take the controller with you to clean them since they don’t disconnect from the controller. That probably prevents user mistakes that I’ve outlined in paragraph 1. Hah.

 

[Charles Zinn]

Hi all, I need recommendations. I have the AI Nero 3 powerheads for my DT. Many of my reefer friends recommended them to me. I've hated them and the AI app from day one. I've had the powerheads for maybe 2 years and I've had (between the 2 of them) them die and malfunction on me a total of 4 times. The past 3 times AI sent me new ones and it's the same crap. Last night one developed the red light and I've tried everything to fix it. I'm sick of them and I would like recommendations on new powerheads. My tank of a 40g tall and I have a variety of corals. Thanks again in advance for any recommendations

AI and Eco tech have had problems with microchips in power supplies and control panels.. I had some vortechs go bad turned out to be power supply not the pump. It's the problem with stuff being made in China.. Had the same problem with Bissel wet vacs...Repair places can get parts to repair and you end up buying new again very costly in end