Best "small" powerheads

[leeweber85]

Curious what opinons are on the small powerheads with wide flow for a small reef tank. (20 gallons)

I've used the controllable Tunze 6055 in the past and thought it was a nice size pump but not sure what else is out there these days and if there is anything smaller.


The JBJ Oceanstream looks like it would be alright:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+23538&pcatid=23538

I'm leaning towards the Tunze 6015 (450gph) right now unless anyone knows of anything better. Of course there is the Ecotech MP10 which I'm considering too, but that would probably be something I would look at later down the road.

 

[cbonito]

I would go straight for the mp10.
You wont regret it.

 

[kinkylizard]

I have the mp10 on my Biocube 14, the best pump ever. The corals seem to love it along with fish and have had no regrets yet. My only warning to you though is to watch out what this pump is capable of as when I had it on full blast I had some water splashing out.

 

[x3thelast]

if you have the money get the mp10. otherwise settle for a korilla

 

[alberthiel]

MP 10 IMO and don't run it full blast but play around with the flow till you find the right power for your tank. FWIW

 

[davidadelp]

I would go with the mp10 its the best size for a nano the price hurts but its well worth it to me.

 

[dwolson2]

I also would go for the mp10

 

[the lars]

I like the Aqua Medic Nano Prop in my nano..Problem is, it is ugly as hell and pretty big but in my case it fits in a department in the back of the tank.
I need to build a controller for it (arduino or something like that) for further testing (it´s 12V and you can set voltage on a controller..so if build something to control the controller (sorry for my English >_<) you can use it to pulse or even make a wave..)

I also had an MP40 and MP10..they are by far the best pumps I ever owned!

 

[Wmich2008]

I tried several pumps on my 30 gallon and eventually just bought a mp10. I would have saved money had I just bought the mp10 first. Save yourself the time and hassle and just buy one now. You will love it.

 

[phryan]

I tried several pumps on my 30 gallon and eventually just bought a mp10. I would have saved money had I just bought the mp10 first. Save yourself the time and hassle and just buy one now. You will love it.

+1

Started with 2 Koralias then switched to an MP10. It is a night and day difference, plus nothing beats creating a wave in a nano.

 

[Spirofucci]

Yep!! MP10, lol.

Also, another benefit to the MP series is that you can get the ecotech battery back up, which will power an MP 10 for about 40 hours (I think). Of course it's more money to spend, but as others have said........well worth it!

 

[4adam12]

I went with the Tunze 6055 with the safety connector for battery backup. I was gonna order the MP10 until I saw one and more importantly heard it. To me it looked like a wart on the side and it was very noisy. Just my opinion, take it for what you paid for it.

 

[leeweber85]

Well it looks like the majority is for the mp10. I assumed this pump would be nearly silent, is it not?

My only concerns with the mp10 is that you are restricted to the angle. You pretty must are stuck with about 3 options for placement.

 

[phryan]

Well it looks like the majority is for the mp10. I assumed this pump would be nearly silent, is it not?

My only concerns with the mp10 is that you are restricted to the angle. You pretty must are stuck with about 3 options for placement.

I can here my MP10 if I am standing close to the tank, it is quiet but noticeable. Part of the reason why is because as it speeds up/down it gets louder/quieter and changes pitch. The hum of a constant duty pump fades into the background noise, the MP10 is kind of like a harmonica in comparison and stands out.

 

[badvegan]

I like the new Maxi Jett propellers better than the mp-10 because of price. You can put 4 of the 400's in that 20 gallon and have so much flow that your fish will be sticking to the glass. Whats more if you break a prop or it gets gummed up and you dont want to clean it.... you just toss it.

The best part to me is that the new Chinese made pumps are so cheap that they are disposable. You can buy almost 20 Maxijett 400's for the price of a singe mp-10.

I personally put 2 Maxijetts facing each other on the ends, 1 facing the front glass and 1 pointing at the surface in my 20 gal. It has flow!

 

[TauReef]

mp10. You will never go back after you get the first.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Okay what about other than the mp10? Wouldn't I need another pump anyway?
I have a couple 29g and a 36g corner to put extra circulation in. I don't have enough money for mp10's as I just had a baby girl so....
What's the good, bad, and the ugly with koralia, tunze nano stream and maxi jets?
Which ones should I get for the 29g tanks? Koralia 750s are $22 maxi jet are $15-20
Would I want the K 750 or go smaller?

 

[TundraGuy]

The mp10 is a loud little unit but I will trade a humming noise with awesome flow as opposed to quieter pump that adds heat to the water and fails to give me all the flow patterns of the mp.

Go Pawn everything you own and get the mp 10 totally worth it. Come to the Dark Side. You are using that tv anyway………….

 

[mandarin_goby]

I have a Koralia nano in my 12 long (36"), at one end. There's not enough flow to reach all the way to the other end, so I added a small Red Sea pump. I thought the Koralia would have more flow, but no biggie - corals that are right near the pump get plenty of flow, so they're really happy.

 

[mandarin_goby]

oh, and the Koralia is silent - I'm sensitive to noise, so this is a big plus. For the money, it works great. My clam gives it 2 thumbs up. Good thing, because I can't afford the almighty MP10.