powerhead options Wavs vs vortech

[burtonboy182]

I have a 72" x 27X x 27X SPS tank.
Looking for the best option for water movement.
trying to pick 1 of 2 options

option one:
2mp 60wqd on both ends of the tank and 2 mp40wqd on back walls. I have center over slow so on right and left side

Option two
4 Neptune Wavs one on each side and 2 on the back wall facing toward the front center of the tank

Thanks

 

[BigJim]

My tank is 72" x 24" x 21" and is predominantly SPS. I used 2 Neptune WAVs for about a year and added a third on Black Friday. I am happy with the results and have had no issues with the pumps. Keep in mind that you can only add 3 WAVs to a 1Link Module, so adding 4 would mean buying a second 1Link.

 

[burtonboy182]

Hey BigJim
How do you have your 2 currently positioned and what type of settings are you running them at. I have the new Apex 2016 and i picked up a second energy bar on black friday so the ports for the wavs wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Salty1962]

I switched from Vortechs to the WAVs and I really like them.

 

[BigJim]

I have two on the left and one on the right. You can kind of see it on my FTS shot I posted on Monday in my tank thread. I put the link below. I run them in inverse mode on the schedule below. Trestles mode seems to stir up any detritus that the other modes don't get. Malibu is a little gentler when the fish are sleeping and the snails and crabs are out and about.

Mavericks 100% 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Trestles 65% 12:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Malibu 85% 2:00 AM - 8:00 AM

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bigjims-155-tank-thread.257840/

 

[Dumaurier7]

For the price of multiples of either (you'd need at least 2) I would go with a pair of 250 or 280 Gyres with controller! I've had 3 WAVs on my 320 and in my humble opinion the Gyres are a better choice.

 

[burtonboy182]

Yeah the gyres move a lot of water. I have to look into the new generation and what they have to offer.

I don't mind picking up the 2 MP60s and MP40s or the 4 Wavs if the movement will be what im looking for.
I like the wavs for their ability to be controlled easily but i think their stream is more narrow then the MPs so thats why im considering the MPs

 

[mcarroll]

Most of those pumps look very limited.

I hate to say it, but Option 3 is superior.

Look at a pair of Turbelle® stream 6105's. $570 for the pair and they will rock that tank.

There will also be plenty of budget left vs the other solutions to add some "filler" flow, as needed/if needed.

If you've seen mp40's in action, but never seen the 6105, it'll fry your brain how much flow they put out. They are perfect for a tank this size.

The fact that they are 1000% more adjustable that these other pumps makes them more than perfect in my book.

Also, watch this video:

2¢

 

[BigJim]

The gyre is probably the best bang for the buck. I had the first generation and had to replace the bushings every few months. I hear they have fixed that issue, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Radman73]

My concerns with the Gyre's is the maintenance required to keep them running well. I'v put MP's in my tanks and clean them maybe every 6 months. They just keep running and putting out great flow. I'm not sold on pumps that need monthly hands in the tank to keep them operating at an acceptable level. Perhaps the Gyre's have improved over time?

I have a similar sized tank, 72x24x30, and would love to find a less expensive option than 2 MP60's and an MP40 on the back wall lol! I've been looking at the WAV's, Rossmonts(3 year warranty), and Tunze because of the 5 year warranty.

 

[Dumaurier7]

I have a pair of 150 Gyres running in my tank now for 10 months without any maintenance!

 

[thewbell]

I have the Wav pumps on a 120 so cannot speak to performance on that big of a tank but one thing no one mentioned yet was a battery backup. I love the Wav pumps but am considering adding either a Gyre or MP40 to the back wall of my tank with a battery backup. You can add a battery backup to the Wav but it involves getting a UPS and additional programming in the Apex for mediocre run times where both the Gyre and MP40 can be run much longer on the Vortech or Icecap battery much easier.

 

[Radman73]

I have a pair of 150 Gyres running in my tank now for 10 months without any maintenance!

That's good to hear!

 

[Dumaurier7]

And yes I have battery back ups for the Gyres and the L1s as well .I had 3 WAVS , although powerful their stream is narrow creating a more concentrated flow. The GYRES literally move all the water in the tank which is 8ft long! I'll be adding another pair of 250,on the back wall , all four will be controlled by my P4 when I get it.