75 gallon mixed reef

[pkirby]

I have a standard 75 gallon mixed reef tank. I do keep several SPS corals as well as LPS and very limited soft corals. I went with a minimalist aquascape, so there is a good amount of open space.

I keep debating on buying an MP40 or 2 mp10's. I know that the flowrate of the MP10 is rated at 1600gph, but the propeller pump study showed that the flowrate was actually 2460 GPH! The MP40 showed a flowrate of 3781 GPH, so mathematically, it seems like 2 MP10's would provide more flow than a single MP40, and it seems like it would be more balanced flow since it could come from both sides of the tank rather than a single side.

Which option makes more sense in a mixed reef environment?

 

[EcoTech Service]

Thanks for your inquiry- it sounds like either option would work great for your tank, although I personally would choose (2) MP10's on opposite ends. Just be sure to measure the thickness of your aquarium, as the MP10's max is 3/8''.

 

[pkirby]

I contacted the manufacturer who indicated that the front and back panels are 3/8, and the sides are 5/16... so it's pushing the limit for the MP10, but should be fine... correct?

 

[brianmsu80]

I have an 85 gallon and regret getting just the one MP40. I wish I would have went with two MP10's. Sure I can still add an MP10, but it would have been nice to save some money. My opinion go with two MP10's if your aquarium allows it.

 

[EcoTech Service]

Sounds like the pair of MP10's will work just fine.

 

[pkirby]

I think I have one last question...

I know that if I get two MP10's, for them to communicate with each other I'd need the wireless... But if I'm just wanting random flow, and not to create a sustained wave... is there a reason I should get the wireless instead of 2 MP10es?

 

[Eurobeaner]

Wireless is for more than just making a wave. The best part of it is sync or anti sync mode. On anti sync, the pumps are doing the exact opposite of each other. Make more random flow. Also, when you put the pumps in feed mode/night mode the master pump tells the slave pumps to feed/night mode. That way you press one button, and both pumps slow down, and set niht mode, and both pumps go in/out of night mode at the same time.

Also, I have 4 wireless controllers, 2 on one tank, 2 on the other... The wireless controllers for the tanks are separated to each tank (the 2 on one tank are sync'd together, and the 2 on the other tank are sync'd together, not all 4 pumps sync'd together). And when I hit feed mode it actually turns ALL 4 pumps to feed, even though the 2 tanks aren't sync'd together. Pretty awesome.