Flow recommendations for a 50g cube

[philtheso]

I'm struggling to find reliable info on creating good flow in my 50g cube tank I'm in the process of setting up. Tank dimensions are 24x24x20 with a central column overflow in middle of the back wall. I'm torn between:

- 2x Tunze 6055: cheapest, but I've read that the flow diameter is quite narrow
- 2x MP10: expensive, and I've seen numerous reports of them being noisy or failing early into its lifecycle
- 1x MP40, 1x MP10: more expensive, might be overkill for my tank size?
- 1x Gyre XF130, 1x MP10: don't know much about the Gyres, seems like flow pattern would be best for a cube though

Any advice on the placement of the pumps is appreciate too :rollface:

 

[laverda]

2 Tunze 6055 would be hard to beat. Plenty of flow, adjustable flow rate, can be angled, proven very reliable, almost silent and great customer service.

 

[bowlopho]

I just preordered a icecap 2k

 

[Jmason95]

If you're looking for wider flow, two Tunze 6095's would be better than the 6055's. You can place them on the back panel in each corner angled towards the center. This should give you plenty of good flow throughout the tank.

 

[laverda]

As far far as placement goes it all depends on you aquascaping.
I have a couple used 6055s $100 each and the Tunze rocks to hold them available.

 

[philtheso]

Are Tunzes as capable as Vortechs when it comes to randomness of flow pattern and keeping food particles suspended in the water column?

 

[Jadams]

I'd personally go with 2x MP10QD's. Small footprint, dead silent and random flow response...

 

[crawling junk]

I have 2 mp10s on my 60 cube. Plenty of flow


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[philtheso]

What advantages does the MP10wQD have over the standard MP10QD? I'm on a bit of a budget and need to justify the increased price tag. I know that the wireless versions allow the units to communicate with one another, but what does that actually allow me to do in the tank that the non-wireless versions won't?

EDIT: Also, big ups to everyone responding! I really appreciate all the help.

 

[BeanMachine]

What advantages does the MP10wQD have over the standard MP10QD? I'm on a bit of a budget and need to justify the increased price tag. I know that the wireless versions allow the units to communicate with one another, but what does that actually allow me to do in the tank that the non-wireless versions won't?

EDIT: Also, big ups to everyone responding! I really appreciate all the help.

Noise level mainly. ***sorry misread your queation... see below.

 

[bowlopho]

What advantages does the MP10wQD have over the standard MP10QD? I'm on a bit of a budget and need to justify the increased price tag. I know that the wireless versions allow the units to communicate with one another, but what does that actually allow me to do in the tank that the non-wireless versions won't?

EDIT: Also, big ups to everyone responding! I really appreciate all the help.

Allows them to antisync with another so you get a more of a side by side flow going.

Or sync together so they go off the same time

 

[hersheyb]

i'd go with 2mp10wqd if budget is an issue then tunze will be my next choice

 

[five.five-six]

The “w” can be added later to the MP10’s if on a budget.


I have run both tunze and vortech and they are both very good systems. The external heat on the vortech is awsome but I find the pointability of the tunze to be of more value. Just a few degrees of adjustment can make a world of differance and as you are going to find out, good flow patterns in cubes present their own chalanges. I have absolutely 0 reservations about buying tunze 2nd hand. Parts are readily avalable and after sales support is phenomenal.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I am setting up a 50 cube as well and ended up using VCA random flow generator only, no power heads.

https://vividcreativeaquatics.com

You attach it to your locline in place of your flare nozzle. It also works as eductor using Venturi principle to increase the flow.

 

[philtheso]

The "œw" can be added later to the MP10's if on a budget.


I have run both tunze and vortech and they are both very good systems. The external heat on the vortech is awsome but I find the pointability of the tunze to be of more value. Just a few degrees of adjustment can make a world of differance and as you are going to find out, good flow patterns in cubes present their own chalanges. I have absolutely 0 reservations about buying tunze 2nd hand. Parts are readily avalable and after sales support is phenomenal.

I think you just settled the debate for me, thank you! The ability to adjust the flow direction was the primary factor as I've read all over the place that cube tanks present unique challenges in optimizing flow.

 

[theshaman]

I went with tunzes over Ecotech and couldn't be happier.


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[five.five-six]

I don’t know if you saw this but Henry has 2 6055’s with controller for $175. The expected service life of those pumps is probably 10 years and they will probably go 15 with TLC, many tunze pumps are running after 20 years of service, I have very few reservations about buying used tunze equiptment.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2659011

 

[philtheso]

I don't know if you saw this but Henry has 2 6055's with controller for $175. The expected service life of those pumps is probably 10 years and they will probably go 15 with TLC, many tunze pumps are running after 20 years of service, I have very few reservations about buying used tunze equiptment.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2659011

Sent him a PM, thanks for the heads up!

 

[five.five-six]

I had 1 6055 on my CL biocube 29 and it was more than enough for SPS

 

[JMLewis]

I ditched my 2 mp10s for 2 6095s on my 66g cube and love it. Being able to point them towards the center of the tank from the back wall is awesome. I love vortecs but only when I put them on the sides of my tanks and didn't want that for a cube.