Powerhead for beginner reef tank?

Snarbleglarf · Jul 3, 2019

Hey guys, this is my first post here but I am setting up my first saltwater tank that will be a reef tank, and I’m trying to find the best size powerhead to use. My tank is a 40 gallon breeder and I have read an 800gph powerhead on both sides of the aquarium will do fine, is that accurate?

road_runner · Jul 3, 2019

Snarbleglarf said:
Hey guys, this is my first post here but I am setting up my first saltwater tank that will be a reef tank, and I’m trying to find the best size powerhead to use. My tank is a 40 gallon breeder and I have read an 800gph powerhead on both sides of the aquarium will do fine, is that accurate?

When I had my 40g breeder 2 mp10 did the job and more. The system hosted sps and lps everyone was happy

Snarbleglarf · Jul 3, 2019

Ohashimz said:
When I had my 40g breeder 2 mp10 did the job and more. The system hosted sps and lps everyone was happy

Ok

do you know a of more budget friendly option? The only ones I saw online we around $200

Mjrenz · Jul 3, 2019

Welcome to the forum! I would recommend looking at the ice cap 1k, you would only need one

EMeyer · Jul 3, 2019

If you're OK with leaving them on all the time, without any bells and whistles, grab a cheap Amazon powerhead ($8-$12)

If you want to switch them on and off constantly for alternating flow, gets some Jebaos

If you just a have a lot of extra money youd like to get rid of, you can likely find some pumps that do the same things for $200-$400

Mastiffsrule · Jul 3, 2019

First Welcome. Gotta say hi.

I like current USA as a beginner inexpensive option, but never used them in a breeder. You could always check out the sale forum, see if anyone is selling older equipment

#WelcometoR2R

Mjrenz · Jul 3, 2019

EMeyer said:
If you're OK with leaving them on all the time, without any bells and whistles, grab a cheap Amazon powerhead ($8-$12)

If you want to switch them on and off constantly for alternating flow, gets some Jebaos

If you just a have a lot of extra money youd like to get rid of, you can likely find some pumps that do the same things for $200-$400

I agree they would be ok and to leave them on all the time, I have a few for my qt tanks and they almost always spin backwards when you turn them on

road_runner · Jul 3, 2019

Snarbleglarf said:
Ok do you know a of more budget friendly option? The only ones I saw online we around $200

Oh there are many.
I see other users doing great job recommending. Goo luck and welcome to the family.

Fudsey · Jul 3, 2019

Welcome to R2R ! ! !

I like the Coral Box pumps as they are programmable and not very expensive. I would think 2 of the QP-5 + would be more than enough for a 40B. https://www.reefbreeders.com/product-category/wave_makers/

I have 2 QP-9+ in my Waterbox 135.4

Gareth elliott · Jul 3, 2019

Welcome!! Great suggestions above.

The two brands i love for their longevity and price point are
Korallias and current usa.

My korallias are no longer on my tank but almost 5 years later i use them either in my fw or mixing container and they have not failed or slowed down. Even with minimal maintenance on them. In my planted moss regularly impedes them as well, since i do not trim as often as i should.