Powerheads and return pump suggestions for a 220g?

[LesPoissons]

Hey guys,
looking to do some updates on my tank and increase flow. My tank is still a collection of hand downs and items purchased on a budget- but Im looking to upgrade where I can. So- powerheads and return pumps. What do you use for your return? I need something with a lot of oomph bc my stand is 36 inches and the tank is 30 more- so its a full 5 1/2 to 6 feet of head to get the water to the tank. My current pumps are Danner mags (1800 and 950 which at their very best only pump 1125gph and 650 respectivley with the head height, and most likely lower)- the return flow is pretty gentle. Powerheads- right now im working with a collection of Jebao RW-20, OW-50, a hydor korillia and an unknown dual head pump. I just ordered citric acid to give everything a good cleaning but Id love less cords, less maintenance and energy sucking items in the tank. I know a lot of people swear by the EchoTech VorTechs but at $370/powerhead (and how many would i need?) Im hoping someone may have some other ideas for good powerheads that are a little less hard on the budget or sell me on the vortech experience. Also for the vortech people- I pull my powerheads off the glass and do a good blowoff of all the rockwork every couple weeks. Its doesnt look like you can do that with the VorTechs but it looks like cleaning is a breeze? Anyway, ideas would be great! Thanks!

 

[ReefBeta]

I run my 6ft long 180 gallon with 4 vortech MP40. I chose it for easy maintenance. Will buy another wetside later so that I can swap out for cleaning. Price per GPH wise though, gyre style pumps are the best. I loved the maxspect gyre for its performance, but just hated it for its maintenance. The red sea ones look pretty good, haven't try them.

Return pump wise, I used two Maxspect Jump 8k. It's just over $200 and pushing over 2000 gph at max. I run them at half and it's more flow than I need. They are the best value/price ratio that I can find besides jebao.

For blowing off rockwork, a MJ1200 pump will do. It's like $8 on amazon. So probably not worth to be your deciding factor.

 

[LesPoissons]

Thanks, I agree on the gyre. I keep looking at it longingly but I know I will be lax as heck on cleaning that thing. How long have you used the Maxspect?

 

[mfinn]

Checkout Tunze powerheads. They are dependable, quiet, and long lasting.
A pair of 6105's would work on a 220.
If you want quiet a Vectra M2.
All you really need for return flow is 1000 to 1200 gph.
For a little more oommph, a Vectra L2 would be plenty and never have to worry about flow while running mid range.

 

[mfinn]

For what it's worth I love my Vortechs, but it's hard to beat Tunze.

 

[LesPoissons]

Checkout Tunze powerheads. They are dependable, quiet, and long lasting.
A pair of 6105's would work on a 220.
If you want quiet a Vectra M1.
All you really need for return flow is 1000 to 1200 gph.
For a little more oommph, a Vectra L2 would be plenty and never have to worry about flow while running mid range.

I’ve been checking them out, I may be sold. These have great reviews and slightly more budget friendly. Thank you for the information!!!

 

[LesPoissons]

I run my 6ft long 180 gallon with 4 vortech MP40. I chose it for easy maintenance. Will buy another wetside later so that I can swap out for cleaning. Price per GPH wise though, gyre style pumps are the best. I loved the maxspect gyre for its performance, but just hated it for its maintenance. The red sea ones look pretty good, haven't try them.

Return pump wise, I used two Maxspect Jump 8k. It's just over $200 and pushing over 2000 gph at max. I run them at half and it's more flow than I need. They are the best value/price ratio that I can find besides jebao.

For blowing off rockwork, a MJ1200 pump will do. It's like $8 on amazon. So probably not worth to be your deciding factor.

Re-reading this- you have 4 vortechs on your tank? Or just 1 ?

 

[ReefBeta]

Re-reading this- you have 4 vortechs on your tank? Or just 1 ?

I have 4 vortech in my tank, two on each side.

 

[ReefBeta]

Thanks, I agree on the gyre. I keep looking at it longingly but I know I will be lax as heck on cleaning that thing. How long have you used the Maxspect?

I used the maxspect gyre for like 3 years. First year I didn't clean it at all, until it stopped. By the end of it I have to clean it like every 3 months or it will quit working. So when I was moving I sold them and bought AI Nero 5 instead.