Recommendation for Powerheads in a 180G

[clm65]

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.

Seems to be people that love each brand, and people that hate each brand. I have read a lot of posts about each brand, and I must say that I don’t recall seeing many complaints about Tunze. I am definitely considering them at this point. But I haven’t ruled anything out yet.

 

[lapin]

Im just not abo0ut wires in the tank. I have 4ea mp60's in my 5'x5'x3'tank. They supplement my returns that go thru sea swirls for random flow.

 

[clm65]

Im just not abo0ut wires in the tank. I have 4ea mp60's in my 5'x5'x3'tank. They supplement my returns that go thru sea swirls for random flow.

I admit no wires would be nice, but not a requirement in my case. I assume you are happy with the Vortechs?

 

[jda]

Everybody is happy with VorTech until they have to start replacing wet sides or the stop connecting with the wifi or something to some other electronic thing. They move water very well if you don't mind not being able to redirect it.

 

[lapin]

I admit no wires would be nice, but not a requirement in my case. I assume you are happy with the Vortechs?

Yep had mp40's in my last tank. Had them ramp and stuff. Had one bearing go out after 3 years. Since I dont ramp these up and down they should last a while. They are all set on certain speeds and connected to apex power bars . Some come on all day. Some 1/2 hr on then 1/2 hour off. I guess you could get fancy with all the control modes, wireless ect....but not my style....... The only thing I replace once in a while is the foam covers. The seem to tear after after a year. Im cleaning the covers every 2 weeks.

 

[Dragon52]

In my 185gl I have one MP40QD on each end & get more then enough flow. I have them on Reefcreat mode 30-70%

 

[clm65]

In my 185gl I have one MP40QD on each end & get more then enough flow. I have them on Reefcreat mode 30-70%

I have no idea what reefcreat is, but it sounds like a pair of MP40s would certainly do the trick. Thanks for the info!

 

[kodo28]

Two Mp40 would be more than enought for your 180g and type of corals you have.
I do have 2 of them on each end at 70% in anti-synch mode reefcrest and long pulse and they move a lot of water on my 200g.
Only issue that I have with the MP40's, is that due my rock work they are placed at 1/3rd of the glass so it creates some kind of swirls on the top of each pump if they run to strong.
Thinking to switch with 2 gyre 350 with new flow director for sure will help to solve the swirl issue.

 

[Dragon52]

I have no idea what reefcreat is, but it sounds like a pair of MP40s would certainly do the trick. Thanks for the info!

Reefcrest is one of the modes you can setup with the MP40s & other Votecs

 

[clm65]

Two Mp40 would be more than enought for your 180g and type of corals you have.
I do have 2 of them on each end at 70% in anti-synch mode reefcrest and long pulse and they move a lot of water on my 200g.
Only issue that I have with the MP40's, is that due my rock work they are placed at 1/3rd of the glass so it creates some kind of swirls on the top of each pump if they run to strong.
Thinking to switch with 2 gyre 350 with new flow director for sure will help to solve the swirl issue.

Good info. I am also going to be placing whatever pumps I get in the top 1/3rd of my tank ends due to rockwork, so something I will need to consider.

 

[clm65]

Reefcrest is one of the modes you can setup with the MP40s & other Votecs

All of the pumps I've used so far have been either on or off. I will be nice to get something with a little more variety.

 

[mcwhng]

All of the pumps I've used so far have been either on or off. I will be nice to get something with a little more variety.

2MP10’s in a 50 gallon mixed reef- great programmability, same wet sides after 3yrs with no rust, cleaned every 3 months in vinegar and water for 1hr. 2 MP 40’s as said by others would be fine for you. Reality is all quality pumps need routine maintenance and, if done properly, will give years of service. Ask yourself what YOU value most ie flow variety, directional control, aesthetics, etc. and go with those pumps. It’s YOUR reef, not anyone else’s.

 

[clm65]

2MP10’s in a 50 gallon mixed reef- great programmability, same wet sides after 3yrs with no rust, cleaned every 3 months in vinegar and water for 1hr. 2 MP 40’s as said by others would be fine for you. Reality is all quality pumps need routine maintenance and, if done properly, will give years of service. Ask yourself what YOU value most ie flow variety, directional control, aesthetics, etc. and go with those pumps. It’s YOUR reef, not anyone else’s.

Excellent feedback and advice. Thank you!

 

[DogsRule]

I'm in the Tunze corner, but think you'd be more than happy with a pair of 6105 pumps (1 at either end). You can link them to oscillate back & forth (can be on/off or on/lower flow rate). I would also consider linking them to a Tunze Multicontroller (7096) to give night time flow/moonlight phases & a slower ramp up/down for the pumps. I'm using this arrangement on my 210 (same footprint as your tank, just a bit taller) mixed reef. One of the pumps (bought it used is 9+ years old). Spare parts, while not cheap are available, so the pumps in theory can run indefinitely. HTH

 

[clm65]

I'm in the Tunze corner, but think you'd be more than happy with a pair of 6105 pumps (1 at either end). You can link them to oscillate back & forth (can be on/off or on/lower flow rate). I would also consider linking them to a Tunze Multicontroller (7096) to give night time flow/moonlight phases & a slower ramp up/down for the pumps. I'm using this arrangement on my 210 (same footprint as your tank, just a bit taller) mixed reef. One of the pumps (bought it used is 9+ years old). Spare parts, while not cheap are available, so the pumps in theory can run indefinitely. HTH

Funny you mentioned the 6105. I saw that on the BRS website and asked them if they thought that two of them would work on my 180, which they replied a definite yes. The representative who answered my question did say that he has one in his tank and a clip that holds the pump in place got loose over time so it doesn't always stay in place. He also mentioned that it sticks out into his tank a bit. Do you have/notice either of those issues? Regardless, right now the 6105 is a top contender. The multicontroller sounds great, but that would need to be a future add-on. Thanks for the help!

 

[DogsRule]

Funny you mentioned the 6105. I saw that on the BRS website and asked them if they thought that two of them would work on my 180, which they replied a definite yes. The representative who answered my question did say that he has one in his tank and a clip that holds the pump in place got loose over time so it doesn't always stay in place. He also mentioned that it sticks out into his tank a bit. Do you have/notice either of those issues? Regardless, right now the 6105 is a top contender. The multicontroller sounds great, but that would need to be a future add-on. Thanks for the help!

These pumps have some serious magnets (wet side/dry side) to mount them in place & mine have never moved (1/2" glass). If the BRS Rep is talking about the actual pump clamp coming loose, then chances are, the silicone dampers (to cut down any vibration noises) weren't properly seated. As for size, the 6105s are about 4" total length from glass to output- not small but in a 6ft tank not obtrusive. Just a FYI the newer Tunze pumps (6105 & similar) now come with their own controllers, which if you connect both pumps with a Tunze link cable will give you most of the features of the multicontroller. You could always look for a used 7096 in the For Sale forum, if someone decides to run their pumps with an Apex etc & sell the controller (that's how I purchased mine). You can't go wrong with these pumps & you don't see many used ones for sale- that says something IMO. All the best.

 

[clm65]

These pumps have some serious magnets (wet side/dry side) to mount them in place & mine have never moved (1/2" glass). If the BRS Rep is talking about the actual pump clamp coming loose, then chances are, the silicone dampers (to cut down any vibration noises) weren't properly seated. As for size, the 6105s are about 4" total length from glass to output- not small but in a 6ft tank not obtrusive. Just a FYI the newer Tunze pumps (6105 & similar) now come with their own controllers, which if you connect both pumps with a Tunze link cable will give you most of the features of the multicontroller. You could always look for a used 7096 in the For Sale forum, if someone decides to run their pumps with an Apex etc & sell the controller (that's how I purchased mine). You can't go wrong with these pumps & you don't see many used ones for sale- that says something IMO. All the best.

I am not sure which part he was referring to, but he did admit it may have been due to his maintenance. That you for all the great input!

 

[Jay Z]

Can't go wrong with either. Eventually everything that shows up on your door step breaks, sometimes right out of the box, sometimes after 3 years. Always a risk of defect or premature failing in any brand.

 

[rknott]

I am just a noob so take this for what it is worth. I was looking for someone to say something about the Jaboas. There is so much controversy it is hilarious. I bought one for my 75G. Had one of the older white MP40 that came with the package used. It was noisy, whiney and I couldn't get it apart. I need a new wet side I guess. Got the new Jabao SOW20 and WAY over shot. Seemed like for an extra $10 you got a bigger pump, and a little bigger and . . . . Put the thing in and just about pasted all my fish in the other end of the tank and created a real surf. I am now running it on 1 (of 10). If you want to go less expensive and totally silent, that is the way to go. I am confident 2 would be enough. If you are concerned about reliability, buy a 3rd for a spare and you will still be 1/2 price of the expensive ones.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I have 5 MP40’s in my 75g (set on lowest setting) and plan to crank them up in my new build...... I just don’t see 2 even beginning to be enough in a tank that size. Maybe 2 on one side, and move all 4 of his current hydors to the other side.


Keeping the 4 you have and adding, is the only way to not completely blow your budget.

If it were me, I would keep what you have and add one MP60 to each side