I am trying to choose what powerhead to get for my reef tank. I have decided to go more into SPS than I ever planned, and i just need more flow in the tank.
i would like to hear what you guys would use, thanks.
To give you relevant advice, we'd need to know some additional details about your tank and what you're planning for. The really critical parameter is the tank's size (both volume and length, width and water depth). We'd also need to know what the tank's current inhabitants are (coral-wise), whether or not they're going to still be in the tank, and what you plan to add.
To give you an example of why you need to consider these factors, an MP10wQD would be unsuitable for a 20 gallon high nano with mixed corals that includes fleshier LPS such as acans or hammer corals because even at its lowest setting, the flow's just too strong. But that same tank that only contains acropora, porites, montipora, and similar SPS corals would do very well with the MP10wQD (better - two MP10wQDs).
One additional factor that you should consider is that there's very few tanks where only one powerhead is suitable. It's almost always preferable to have two or more working on opposite sides of the tank; generally with one "on" for 10-20 seconds with other off or at a low flow setting, and then switched. That's why the Vortechs and Tunze controllable pumps are so popular, because their included controllers allow this with a minimum of fuss. You can, however, do something similar with 2 non-controllable powerheads working on a switching "wavemaker".
With respect to price, construction quality and capability, the Vortech and the controllable Tunzes are comparable, though the Vortech has the edge from the standpoint of variety of flow patterns and wireless control capability. Another popular PH in that range are the Maxspect Gyre powerheads. Others with similar capability but less popular are the new Neptune WAV pumps and the Sicce x-stream E pumps. Hydor also makes a DC controllable pump.
If you're looking to spend the least amount of $$, are willing to give up some efficiency and controllability for a low initial price, getting a couple of non-controllable AC powerheads and a switching wavemaker may be a good option. The Sicce wave surfer controller and 2 1600 gph powerheads can be purchased from BRS right now for less than $200, for example. Hydor also makes a switching controller called the smartwave that will switch two non-controllable AC powerheads.
