Powerhead suggestions - Apex Compatible for 8 foot tank

[Steph72]

Hi!
I’m shopping for supplemental powerheads for my 8 foot long tank. Unfortunately mounting them to the back is not an option and I need a very long cord. I’m considering mounting them on the overflow so a waterproof external magnet would be ideal. The top contenders are Tunze, Neptune WAV or Reef Octopus.
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[blaxsun]

ReefWave45s. You can’t program them through the Apex, but you can turn them on/off. The external magnet is also completely waterproof - so you could mount them in the overflow.

 

[Breadman03]

Tunze 6255's have been serving me well for several years, controlled by my Apex 0-10 volt output.

 

[jda]

Tunze 6155 and the 6255 are the gold standard for this. I don't control mine with an Apex, but they do come with a nice controller of their own. Tunze has even larger pumps, but you have to contact them directly and order them (if they even have them right now). These should last a decade plus.

 

[Steph72]

Tunze 6155 and the 6255 are the gold standard for this. I don't control mine with an Apex, but they do come with a nice controller of their own. Tunze has even larger pumps, but you have to contact them directly and order them (if they even have them right now). These should last a decade plus.

That’s great to hear, I’m almost 99% sure Tunze will be my choice. I’ve been watching videos of people setting up the controller and it does look like a fantastic option when you see it in action….the pictures alone don’t do it justice.

 

[jda]

Tunze pumps are the best of breed for nearly everything - the WAV and RO are not even on the same planet, IMO. I can understand that some people don't want cords and that a MP is cool, but I don't care that much and just want them to last for a long time, move a ton of water and not need a lot of maintenance.

I just the newer Tunze on the controller that comes with them. Enough for me. I have multiples in each tank and I make sure that both are not set the same so that the up/down flow alters with each pump as well as with each other. I still have some older models that need the external controller, so I have some of those too. No need for an Apex for me, but people love that too.

The personal support from Roger is great - he has answered my questions about pumps a decade out of warranty, but you don't need him very much, which is good. Other companies have good support too, but Tunze is great.

Some people love them some Gyres, but I hate the flow. They do move a LOT of water, but it is too static for me. I got a MaxSpec when it came out and it has been reliable and quiet and I have never cleaned it... I just like the flow from the Tunzes better.

 

[jda]

If you can get the pointed the right ways, Tunze Stream 3 moves a TON of water too, but they are longer. They can work really great on the side of overflow boxes pointed at the other end of the tank.

 

[Delloman]

The neptune waves are powerful powerheads I had to remove them on my 4 foot tank. Also there cords are quite long and you could also place the 1 link box in one place and trun a aqubus cabe to the rest of the apex equipment.

 

[Steph72]

Tunze pumps are the best of breed for nearly everything - the WAV and RO are not even on the same planet, IMO. I can understand that some people don't want cords and that a MP is cool, but I don't care that much and just want them to last for a long time, move a ton of water and not need a lot of maintenance.

I just the newer Tunze on the controller that comes with them. Enough for me. I have multiples in each tank and I make sure that both are not set the same so that the up/down flow alters with each pump as well as with each other. I still have some older models that need the external controller, so I have some of those too. No need for an Apex for me, but people love that too.

The personal support from Roger is great - he has answered my questions about pumps a decade out of warranty, but you don't need him very much, which is good. Other companies have good support too, but Tunze is great.

Some people love them some Gyres, but I hate the flow. They do move a LOT of water, but it is too static for me. I got a MaxSpec when it came out and it has been reliable and quiet and I have never cleaned it... I just like the flow from the Tunzes better.

It’s good to hear so many positive things about the Tunze pumps. I’m currently running two Icecap 4 gyres and they do move a ton of water but they are limited as far as positioning and the flow isn’t very versatile especially with my growing acro population. I have an MP10 on my small tank and although I love the flow patterns and the app, the magnet sucks! For the price, it really should stick like it’s welded to the glass! Lol

 

[Steph72]

The neptune waves are powerful powerheads I had to remove them on my 4 foot tank. Also there cords are quite long and you could also place the 1 link box in one place and trun a aqubus cabe to the rest of the apex equipment.

I hear that the flow on these is amazing, the only thing that scares me is all the terrible reviews on them. Are you running them currently?

 

[Delloman]

Your using the correct plate for the mp10? Have you tried a thinner one? With the 40 I know you get 3 different ones to use with tanks of all glass thicknes if they don't stay use a thinner one. Looking at the mp10 dose it just have one have you removed it? Mp40s or 60s have much stronger magnets then

 

[Delloman]

I hear that the flow on these is amazing, the only thing that scares me is all the terrible reviews on them. Are you running them currently?

Yes I am I replaced 2 of my 3 with mp40s as they where to strong on a 4 foot tank. They are about 2x an mp40. my LFS has ran them since day one and never had a problem I feel people don't clean them like you need to with all powerheads.