Single Gyre or dual powerheads

[billwill]

So my third set of Jebao powerheads has died and I'm contemplating what to do next for my SPS dominated 90g. I'm toying with either a single Gyre 230 or two Rossmont MX3000 powerheads with their controller. About the same cash. Will a single Gyre do the trick? Do they take way more maintenance than normal like I keep reading? Why zero feedback on the Rossmont pumps?

 

[sawdonkey]

I'm not familiar with the rossmont pumps, but I think one gyre is not enough for any tank. While it moves a lot of water, it's just one sheet of movement. I prefer multiple powerheads so you can direct them. I currently have one gyre and two jaebos, and the gyre is just a little too uncontrollable in terms of direction.

 

[Lonny]

I use two gyre pumps in my 150gl. That's the best use of them. They work together well using the pre set programs.

 

[mcarroll]

So my third set of Jebao powerheads has died and I'm contemplating what to do next for my SPS dominated 90g. I'm toying with either a single Gyre 230 or two Rossmont MX3000 powerheads with their controller. About the same cash. Will a single Gyre do the trick? Do they take way more maintenance than normal like I keep reading? Why zero feedback on the Rossmont pumps?

What @sawdonkey said!

I like a set of Tunze pumps...there are lots of good possible combinations. Four pumps will deck you out with the most capability. Two is a nice compromise, but can still be limiting as things grow in. One will be a disappointment eventually as detritus will settle in every "dark zone" until there's a change in the water flow.

Remember that while flow on every reef in the wild is unique, it's also true that every reef experiences strong, bidirectional flow from the tides.

You can do this with as little as a set of four Turbelle® nanostream® 6045's at $78 a piece and two appliance timers. About $330 if you don't have any timers already. Two pumps run in roughly one direction for a few hours or so. Then they kick off and the other two pumps run in roughly the other direction for a few hours.

It's not a very glamorous setup with wave modes and all that, but it might still impress your friends because of how much your corals will like it. (Your wallet will definitely be impressed.)

But they have a whole range of controllable pumps too obviously, if you're going down the controllable route. Turbelle® nanostream® 6040's, Turbelle® nanostream® 6055's might be my two favorites in your case, but the obvious other picks would be the Turbelle® nanostream® 6095 and Turbelle® stream 3.

If you can post a full tank shot that gives a good view of the rock layout, we can probably make a more specific suggestion – if you need more ideas.

 

[billwill]

Here's my tank. I bought the single XF230, and while it works pretty well alone, I don't think it will cut it for my full sps tank. Have a second one coming, which I'm pretty confident with work perfectly!