Powerheads, Powerheads, Powerheads

[Marco S]

It's time to order my pumps and powerheads and I need some advice from you experts. I have decided on going with the Reef Octopus VarioS-8 for the main return and will probably get two of them since they are on sale at BRS. The problem I have is that I have narrowed the powerheads down to three options that I just cannot decide on. Every video or review I watch or read just makes it harder since they are all great options, but I need to choose one. Please help by letting me know what you would choose and why.

This will be for either the Red Sea Reefer XXL 750 or the Waterbox 230.6 so the dimensions are 6 feet long by 26 inches wide by 2 feet Tall with 3/4 inch glass.

Here are my options:

Maxspect XF250 Gyre: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf250-gyre-pump-with-controller-5300-gph-maxspect.html

Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/octo-pulse-4-wave-pump-reef-octopus.html

Eco Tech Marine VorTech MP40: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp40w-qd-propeller-pump-ecotech-marine.html

Please do not let price or brand name be a determining factor and thank you in advance for your advice.

 

[dwest]

It's time to order my pumps and powerheads and I need some advice from you experts. I have decided on going with the Reef Octopus VarioS-8 for the main return and will probably get two of them since they are on sale at BRS. The problem I have is that I have narrowed the powerheads down to three options that I just cannot decide on. Every video or review I watch or read just makes it harder since they are all great options, but I need to choose one. Please help by letting me know what you would choose and why.

This will be for either the Red Sea Reefer XXL 750 or the Waterbox 230.6 so the dimensions are 6 feet long by 2 inches wide by 2 feet Tall with 3/4 inch glass.

Here are my options:

Maxspect XF250 Gyre: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf250-gyre-pump-with-controller-5300-gph-maxspect.html

Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/octo-pulse-4-wave-pump-reef-octopus.html

Eco Tech Marine VorTech MP40: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp40w-qd-propeller-pump-ecotech-marine.html

Please do not let price or brand name be a determining factor and thank you in advance for your advice.

IME you can’t beat the flow of the gyre. However, they are inconsistent as far as sound level and are difficult to clean. Because of these things, I would recommend the mp40. I use both now and plan to replace my gyre with an mp60 soon.

 

[Marco S]

IME you can’t beat the flow of the gyre. However, they are inconsistent as far as sound level and are difficult to clean. Because of these things, I would recommend the mp40. I use both now and plan to replace my gyre with an mp60 soon.

The ease of cleaning and cordless design of the MP40 are two of the main reasons I am considering it, but if the Gyre has better flow then I don't want to sacrifice that just for ease of cleaning.

How much louder is the Gyre pump than the MP40? Is it very noticeable? This will be in my family room so it's not to much of an issue, but if I can hear it over my TV then it will be an issue.

 

[jpas]

I have had, and still run several gyres including two XF280’s on my 400g tank. They produce okay flow, however they are very poorly made and constantly need attention. On the 280’s when run at 100% power the drive bushing wears out every 4 to 5 weeks. I emailed them and the only response was you must have sucked up a snail. I have no zero small snails in my tank, so I know this is not the issue. They are also a pain to clean.

I added two MP60 and they work perfectly. No issues at all.

 

[Pntbll687]

If price isn't a factor, why not get the gyre and the mp40??

If it's a bare bottom tank you could have the gyre on one side and mp40 on the opposite bottom side.

Brs just did a video on flow, and what they are doing on a 750xxl. Check it out, it might help with deciding which is best for you.

 

[Marco S]

If price isn't a factor, why not get the gyre and the mp40??

If it's a bare bottom tank you could have the gyre on one side and mp40 on the opposite bottom side.

Brs just did a video on flow, and what they are doing on a 750xxl. Check it out, it might help with deciding which is best for you.

Thanks for the advice and great video. I probably will go with the two Gyre's while they are on sale and get one or two MP40's later on when I figure out the aquascape.

 

[jpas]

If price is really not a factor check out the Panta Rhei pumps

 

[Marco S]

If price is really not a factor check out the Panta Rhei pumps

To clarify, I asked for Price not to be a factor in advising me on the three choices I have in my initial post. That being said, price is a factor overall and I do have a budget and I won't be spending more than $500 per pump and $2,000 for all my pumps.

 

[dugthefish]

I'm setting up a 125 right now and, while I'm not shopping on the higher end as you are, I'm going with an icecap gyre on one end, a big jaebo on the other, and possibly supplementing with 2 smaller jaebos on the back.

 

[Marco S]

I decided to order the two Maxspect XF250 Gyre's and will wait until I get the tank, sand and rock to see if I need additional powerheads in the back. Unless EcoTech decides to join the Black Friday sale, then I may get two Mp40's as well. I still need powerheads for my quarantine tank and my mixing station so either way I will use them.

Thank you to everyone that replied here! I always appreciate your input.

 

[rkpetersen]

It's time to order my pumps and powerheads and I need some advice from you experts.

For a tank that size, especially if you're planning to keep acros, I'd use at least one Gyre 250 and two MP40s. I have that plus an additional MP10 on a much smaller Reefer 450. Although 2 Gyres should definitely work although you'll probably have them turned toward the upper end of their range. I have 2 Gyres alone on another Reefer 450. They definitely provide enough flow on a tank that size even at less than 50%, and the option of having alternating mode for each pump is a big plus if for example you're keeping a bunch of anemones that are inclined to wander. Decent fine mesh screens are available for the Gyre, too.

Agree with the above comment that MPs win the reliability and maintenance contests against the Gyre, hands down. At medium speeds, both are reasonably quiet. At high speeds, the Gyre noise increases more and might be annoying to some. I keep all my Gyres below 70% all the time and usually below 50%.

 

[Marco S]

For a tank that size, especially if you're planning to keep acros, I'd use at least one Gyre 250 and two MP40s. I have that plus an additional MP10 on a much smaller Reefer 450. Although 2 Gyres should definitely work although you'll probably have them turned toward the upper end of their range. I have 2 Gyres alone on another Reefer 450. They definitely provide enough flow on a tank that size even at less than 50%, and the option of having alternating mode for each pump is a big plus if for example you're keeping a bunch of anemones that are inclined to wander. Decent fine mesh screens are available for the Gyre, too.

Agree with the above comment that MPs win the reliability and maintenance contests against the Gyre, hands down. At medium speeds, both are reasonably quiet. At high speeds, the Gyre noise increases more and might be annoying to some. I keep all my Gyres below 70% all the time and usually below 50%.

I already ordered the two Gyres (XF250 @ 5300 GPH) because I want to run them sync'd with one of the preset modes. Do you think I will need more flow than that? It will be just fish for a while with some softy and LPS beginner corrals until I get more experience. I won't plan on adding anemones until it's been up and running for at least six months, but do plan on having one or two. I do plan on testing the water flow after I have everything setup and ordering more powerheads accordingly, but if you experts say I need more, I will order a couple of MP40s sooner than later.

 

[rkpetersen]

I already ordered the two Gyres (XF250 @ 5300 GPH) because I want to run them sync'd with one of the preset modes. Do you think I will need more flow than that? It will be just fish for a while with some softy and LPS beginner corrals until I get more experience.

I think the Gyres will be plenty for that kind of stocking, including anemones, even in a larger tank. When you add SPS, you can add MPs as focal turbulent flow sources pointed in their direction, which they will appreciate.

 

[dwest]

For a tank that size, especially if you're planning to keep acros, I'd use at least one Gyre 250 and two MP40s. I have that plus an additional MP10 on a much smaller Reefer 450. Although 2 Gyres should definitely work although you'll probably have them turned toward the upper end of their range. I have 2 Gyres alone on another Reefer 450. They definitely provide enough flow on a tank that size even at less than 50%, and the option of having alternating mode for each pump is a big plus if for example you're keeping a bunch of anemones that are inclined to wander. Decent fine mesh screens are available for the Gyre, too.

Agree with the above comment that MPs win the reliability and maintenance contests against the Gyre, hands down. At medium speeds, both are reasonably quiet. At high speeds, the Gyre noise increases more and might be annoying to some. I keep all my Gyres below 70% all the time and usually below 50%.

Same here with gyre noise. I run 70% and below due to noise. I tried 90% but my marriage is more important....

 

[Marco S]

I think the Gyres will be plenty for that kind of stocking, including anemones, even in a larger tank. When you add SPS, you can add MPs as focal turbulent flow sources pointed in their direction, which they will appreciate.

Thanks, that is good to know!

 

[Marco S]

Same here with gyre noise. I run 70% and below due to noise. I tried 90% but my marriage is more important....

Lol! I'm not married anymore so the only person it will annoy is me and the occasional family members or guests that visit. Good to know though. I don't think I will need to go above 70% and if I do I will add additional MP40s or an MP60 at that point.

 

[hawkeye792001]

I am in the same situation. I posted on a couple different forums.

The gyre is awesome if you get one that is quite. It seems to be a coin toss.

MP 40 is unanimously awesome. The price isnt.

I didnt just search Facebook and I found 2 being sold used. The guy claims they were 6 months old. He was asking 200 ea.

If price is a big factor maybe look used.

Personally i run hydors. How can you compete with 36 dollars? If they break or make noise, buy a new one.

I also have a jebo gyre. It's quite and works nice. Its features are limited, but still does the job. They are 100 bucks with controller.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So many out there now.....research, research and research, then see videos such as you tube and Brs plus manufacturer testimonial videos and member feedback on our forums.
The new innovation Marine seem to be a big hit as of recent

 

[Smprc]

My 2 cents, you are going to love the gyres. They really move a lot of water, I have 72 x 24 x 24. I did get two 280s because I didn't want to run them at Max, I currently run them at 50 to 60 and I don't hear them. Like I said lot of flow, almost too much. Btw, I also have the ethereal LEDs and have the iv6 controller and love that I can use my phone to program the gyres. Good luck.

 

[PhreeByrd]

I agree about the Gyres, they are excellent. I also very strongly disagree that they are poorly made. They are indeed a bit more involved, as far as cleaning goes, than most of the other options. But they provide a completely different kind of flow that nothing else can provide. You will like them. I don't hear mine until it's close to cleaning time, then they start to whine a little bit.

I think your strategy is good. Gyres and MP40's will provide the best of everything... except price. The MP40 price is stupid high. But if they're in your budget, it's a great approach.