Recommendation for Powerheads in a 180G

[clm65]

I have a 180G (6'x2'x2') that is in a wall between two rooms. Since it is viewed from both sides, pump placement needs to be on the ends. I currently have two Hydor pumps on each end (4 total), but I don't feel that I am getting adequate flow, particularly in the center of the tank. I recently had an outbreak of cyano, but only on the rocks in the very center of the tank, which from what I understand, could be a sign that I need more flow. So, I would like to upgrade my pumps, and end up with only two pumps if possible (one on each end). The pumps would need to be placed on the top 1/3rd of each end due to rocks. I don't know if a gyre pump would be best in this application, or if a Nero or Vortech type pump would work best. Also, what size? I have a mixed reef, with only zoas, shrooms, and other soft corals. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[lavoisier]

I love my Vortechs--dependable, links well with Apex, low profile, no cords in the tank.... Do you have a turnover rate in mind? If you are thinking under 30x, which I would guess with your mixed reef, the MP40s would work. Higher than that you may want to consider the MP60s.

 

[Billldg]

Vortechs or Gyre's, I don't think you could wrong with either. I plan on switching to gyre's in my DT, but like the Vortechs as well.

 

[Reef_A_Lot]

Gyres move a ton of water. I have 1 in a 75 gallon but installing two in my 180 soon.

 

[jda]

I would use a single Tunze 6255.

 

[clm65]

I love my Vortechs--dependable, links well with Apex, low profile, no cords in the tank.... Do you have a turnover rate in mind? If you are thinking under 30x, which I would guess with you mixed reef, the MP40s would work. Higher than that you may want to consider the MP60s.

Thank you! I don't have an Apex - I have a fairly basic and old school setup. So I don't really need anything fancy. I really don't even need wireless/wifi/varying modes, etc., although I'm sure I would like those features once I actually had some experience with them. As far as T/O, I'm not sure. I don't want to rip the corals from the rocks, but I know I need more than I have now. So something with adjustable flow range would be ideal. But I don't have unlimited funds, so I don't want to purchase something oversized if that makes sense.

 

[clm65]

Vortechs or Gyre's, I don't think you could wrong with either. I plan on switching to gyre's in my DT, but like the Vortechs as well.

So you have Vortechs now, and are switching out to Gyres?

 

[clm65]

Gyres move a ton of water. I have 1 in a 75 gallon but installing two in my 180 soon.

Excellent! What model/size Gyres will you put in the 180?

 

[clm65]

I would use a single Tunze 6255.

Wow, had to look that one up, as I hadn't heard much about it. Looks like it moves a bunch of water, but is it good to have only one powerhead with all the flow coming from one location, versus multiple locations that create more turbulence when the flows collide? Are you running a tank with one of these?

 

[lavoisier]

I should have asked first! What sort of price range are you considering? A thought would be to call a couple of the R2R Sponsors and talk to them about your requirements and goals, see what they recommend. If you find a consensus from several vendors, it might narrow down your options to a reasonable level. I have found BRS invaluable in this way but know we have some other great sponsors on this site.

 

[jda]

I was thinking peninsula tank for the single 6255 on on end... my bad. Pair of Tunze 6155s would be good. You can aim and point them.

I have a gyre and i don't care for it much... my acropora are leaning into the flow. They move a lot of water, but it is too static for me. VorTech move water kinda like a Tunze being more random, but you cannot aim them and they don't last as long... so I am out on these.

FWIW - I am still running Tunze pumps that I got in 2005/6. They last a LONG time and need no maintenance.

 

[Chad Kleiner]

Definitely 2 of the MP40s one on each side! I tried the GYRE (Maxpect) and they were too strong, they blow a sheet of water that I feel doesn’t compare to the vortex and turbulence of the MP40s. Additionally, I don’t like having cords in my water. The MPs are clean looking, they’re easy to program and they don’t blast the flesh of your SPS/Softie corals.

 

[PYRU]

I went with rossmont mx series with controller. If my budget was higher id went with tunze

 

[clm65]

I should have asked first! What sort of price range are you considering? A thought would be to call a couple of the R2R Sponsors and talk to them about your requirements and goals, see what they recommend. If you find a consensus from several vendors, it might narrow down your options to a reasonable level. I have found BRS invaluable in this way but know we have some other great sponsors on this site.

Well, my price range seems to go up the more I look at the pumps and get feedback from people like yourself, lol. I originally was hoping to stay below $500 for the pair. That is why I mentioned the Neros. But what I don't want to do is save a few bucks and end up regretting it and spending more money in the future. That is how I got to where I am today. So, if I have to, I will buy one pump now, and then buy the second one in a month or two so that it doesn't hurt all at once. I like your suggestion to contact a vendor. BRS is my go-to, so I will start with them. Good advice!

 

[lavoisier]

Well, my price range seems to go up the more I look at the pumps and get feedback from people like yourself, lol. I originally was hoping to stay below $500 for the pair. That is why I mentioned the Neros. But what I don't want to do is save a few bucks and end up regretting it and spending more money in the future. That is how I got to where I am today. So, if I have to, I will buy one pump now, and then buy the second one in a month or two so that it doesn't hurt all at once. I like your suggestion to contact a vendor. BRS is my go-to, so I will start with them. Good advice!

Wisdom, my friend! Although relatively new to R2R, I've been in the hobby (obsession?) for over 40 years and it took me decades of trying to save a few bucks and moving too quickly before I started slowing down and actually saving money as a result.

 

[clm65]

I was thinking peninsula tank for the single 6255 on on end... my bad. Pair of Tunze 6155s would be good. You can aim and point them.

I have a gyre and i don't care for it much... my acropora are leaning into the flow. They move a lot of water, but it is too static for me. VorTech move water kinda like a Tunze being more random, but you cannot aim them and they don't last as long... so I am out on these.

FWIW - I am still running Tunze pumps that I got in 2005/6. They last a LONG time and need no maintenance.

I went with rossmont mx series with controller. If my budget was higher id went with tunze

Two strong votes for the Tunze. They do look good, but they are definitely not cheap. The price may be hard for me to swallow, even if I do up my budget.

 

[clm65]

Wisdom, my friend! Although relatively new to R2R, I've been in the hobby (obsession?) for over 40 years and it took me decades of trying to save a few bucks and moving too quickly before I started slowing down and actually saving money as a result.

How true. I haven't been doing this as long as you, but 22 years. This tank has been going since 2001, but it has really only been fish only until very recently. I'm pretty sure that two of my Hydor pumps have been in the tank since I set it up (I don't remember ever changing them). I'm not even sure if they were called "Hydor" back then. I can't knock them on longevity. So I added two of their newer high performance pumps when I started to add corals, but even though they advertise higher flows, they seem to put out much less than the old ones. And I added a Hydor wave maker controller to try to get more random flow patterns. So that is probably $250-$300 I could have put towards a better pump. So yes, slow down and don't skimp. Words to live by!

 

[Saveafish]

Look, every one is screaming vortech. Really it's not a small tank.. you need something that'll last. Vortech has an amazing 1ys warranty. wow ONE YEAR! They have been ousted with rusty magnets. The Tunze stream 3 is a 5 year warranty. 5 times that of vortech. Just wow. It comes with flow direction covers. Mounts stronger. And on a 180, you need flow and dependability, Tunze, baby. Or you can follow the pace and get the vortech, not be as happy. They do make cool door stops when they rust out.

 

[dank reefer]

2 gyros on opposite ends will solve your problem with water movement. Cheap way would be to get 2 3k ice cap gyres, or if your budget allows you can go with the maxspect gyres. With the maxspect you can link both gyres and run them in alternate mode. Unfortunately you cannot do that with the ice caps, but you can program both ice caps to run different modes through out the day.

 

[jda]

My only real issue with the Tunze is that they last so long that there is little chance to upgrade to their new product. I only take them out and clean them when the coralline plugs up the input nozzles... every few years... they just run and run.