Two Nero 3 Powerheads Overkill for a 32 gallon tank?

[mistergray]

I am considering purchasing two Nero 3 powerheads for my 32 gallon tank. I believe I need to keep in mind the return valve as well. Do you think 2 powerheads for a tank my size is a bit overkill? It is a biocube, so it doesn't have you average elongated shape as a normal tank would.

PS - Considering maybe 1 vortech mp10 $$$ instead of the 2 nero's (yikes)

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

They are extremely strong. I have 2 in my 25 gallon and I run them at 15 percent power

 

[dank reefer]

Id go with 2 of the Neros. Once your corals start to grow, you already have the pumps to increase the flow.

 

[mikereefing]

I agree that 2 of the Nero 3's would be good for your setup. I like having opposing pumps to create that shifting chaotic flow in the middle. I dont run single pumps anymore with the exception of my fluval 13.5 nano tank

 

[homer1475]

When I had my biocube, I ran 2 mp10's on about 60% reefcrest.

I say go with 2 of the nero3 's. I have one in my 80G cube just to push some water over the sandbed. I liked their small footprint initially, but I was very impressed with the amount of flow do they provide.

 

[mistergray]

They are extremely strong. I have 2 in my 25 gallon and I run them at 15 percent power

Id go with 2 of the Neros. Once your corals start to grow, you already have the pumps to increase the flow.

I agree that 2 of the Nero 3's would be good for your setup. I like having opposing pumps to create that shifting chaotic flow in the middle. I dont run single pumps anymore with the exception of my fluval 13.5 nano tank

When I had my biocube, I ran 2 mp10's on about 60% reefcrest.

I say go with 2 of the nero3 's. I have one in my 80G cube just to push some water over the sandbed. I liked their small footprint initially, but I was very impressed with the amount of flow do they provide.

Any ideas on where I should point the return water valve if I have the two nero's placed at the front left and right of the thank facing each other?

 

[dank reefer]

I personally don't think it will matter as the flow from the return pump will not compete with the flow from the Neros.

 

[homer1475]

I used locline and pointed it at the surface for gas exchange. If you point it across the top and to the left, it creates a swirling effect that pushes everything into the overflow on the biocube. IME

I do the same in every tank really. Use PH's to create flow for the corals, and the return to break the surface tension for gas exchange, and to push the surface proteins(the typical "scum" that sits on the top of the water) down the overflow.

 

[38bill]

I have 2 Nero 3's in a 60 cube and I'm pretty happy with them. I think they are noisy at higher speeds but around 55% and less I can hardly hear them. I also use LocLine at the surface from the pump.

 

[Alexopora]

They are extremely strong. I have 2 in my 25 gallon and I run them at 15 percent power

I have 2 in my 20gallon (sps dominated) and I run them on pulse at 85%.

 

[mistergray]

I used locline and pointed it at the surface for gas exchange. If you point it across the top and to the left, it creates a swirling effect that pushes everything into the overflow on the biocube. IME

I do the same in every tank really. Use PH's to create flow for the corals, and the return to break the surface tension for gas exchange, and to push the surface proteins(the typical "scum" that sits on the top of the water) down the overflow.

Thanks for the detail! Perfect!

 

[mistergray]

I used locline and pointed it at the surface for gas exchange. If you point it across the top and to the left, it creates a swirling effect that pushes everything into the overflow on the biocube. IME

I do the same in every tank really. Use PH's to create flow for the corals, and the return to break the surface tension for gas exchange, and to push the surface proteins(the typical "scum" that sits on the top of the water) down the overflow.

I have 2 Nero 3's in a 60 cube and I'm pretty happy with them. I think they are noisy at higher speeds but around 55% and less I can hardly hear them. I also use LocLine at the surface from the pump.

I was TODAY YEARS OLD when I heard of locline. I had to google it to see what y'all were talking about. Lol! Does locline fit most returns? If either of you are bored, feel free to send me a pic of how your locline is situated in your tank. I think you all have given me permission to buy yet another thing for my tank. I'll make sure my wife knows its not my fault this time. Lol!!!

 

[homer1475]

It's been many years since I had my biocube. Sorry no pics.

I beleive, can't really remember, but the loc line snub out fits right onto the "spout" on the false wall in the biocube.

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

I have 2 in my 20gallon (sps dominated) and I run them on pulse at 85%.

SPS is the key thing here. Mine is a torch only tank and if I have them at 85% all my torches would die

 

[mistergray]

SPS is the key thing here. Mine is a torch only tank and if I have them at 85% all my torches would die

For my education purposes, is it normal for hobbyists NOT to mix different types of coral in the same tank because of the differences of what they need?

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

For my education purposes, is it normal for hobbyists NOT to mix different types of coral in the same tank because of the differences of what they need?

Yes that is true in many instances. SPS require high flow and high light, many LPS corals are low flow and low light. So putting lower light demand corals in with a high demand light coral could be a problem. But with that being said I have and still have many mixed reef tanks that do well, you just have to find a median that works. Taller tanks can help with that, put the SPS up high and the flow up high and place the LPS down lower

 

[Ricksreeefs]

I have a mp10 on my 29 gallon and it’s awesome but I know that the neros can really push some water around and I think 2 neros will do the trick nicely.

 

[Alexopora]

SPS is the key thing here. Mine is a torch only tank and if I have them at 85% all my torches would die

So i guess both of our experiences can give OP a rough idea on what Nero 3 is capable of.

 

[Alexopora]

For my education purposes, is it normal for hobbyists NOT to mix different types of coral in the same tank because of the differences of what they need?

It is normal not to mix and it is also normal to mix. It really depends on what you want for your tank. Depending on your tank’s dimensions and your rockwork, it is not impossible to house corals that need diff lighting intensity and diff flow rates together.

 

[coralfishreef]

I have 2 Nero 5s in a 34 gal (Reefer 170) running at 40% both on the back wall. There is a lot of flow at 40%, plenty for SPS, but still gentle enough for softies, ricordea, and zoas. 2 Nero 3s should be fine.