Input/Advice on powerhead

[StartrTank]

Okay, so this is my first saltwater tank. I'm in the middle of my cycle right now; most of the tank is put together, although I do not yet have a powerhead(s). Looking back at things now, there are a few changes I would have made if starting the build over was an option. For instance, I purchased the largest overflow CPR made (CS150) paired w/ the Eheim5000 pump for my return. For starters, I think the overflow is overkill; I could have got away a smaller model that had a 1" output rather than the CS150 which has a 1.5" output. Also, not being as educated as I am now, I though the Eheim5000 would have been more than enough, not calculating my overhead and realizing how much loss in GPH I would have. I'll most likely upgrade my pump in the near future and keep the eheim as a back-up in case I have a pump failure.

So now for the actual question...

I'm looking at powerheads online. I don't have an unlimited budget so cost is for sure a factor. The old me would have looked at the lowest priced pump that had the highest GPH rating. But the new me is asking, "do I really need a powerhead (or 2) with a 1300 GPH rating? My tank is a 55 gallon hexagon tank, so coverage area is not as much of an issue as it would be if I had a standard 55 gallon rectangular tank.

I know certain corals do better with high water flow. But to be honest, I'm not looking at keeping any difficult corals; which is a decision partially made by the fact that I have a Current USA Orbit Marine LED light and partially because I'm still learning the hobby and would rather not have anything that is going to difficult to keep.

I understand that without knowing exactly which corals I plan on keeping (haven't finalized my decisions yet) it will be difficult to give me a definitive answer; but judging from the information I have provided, would you say that having two powerheads with max outputs of 260 GPH run by a Hydor wavemaker be too little flow for my tank?

Any input/suggestions are welcome and appreciated, thanks

 

[kurt_n]

That seems low to me, even for a hex tank. I'd look at something more like 2 powerheads at around 600-800 gph. But as you mentioned, without additional info regarding future coral plans, it's just opinion.

I'd avoid putting normal powerheads on an on/off wavemaker, like the Hydor one you mentioned. Even if the manufacturer claims the pumps can handle it, in reality they don't and will break soon. For an inexpensive non-controllable pump, I'd recommend looking at the Tunze Nanostream series. A bit more money than the others, but it's money well spent for a reliable plug-it-in-and-don't-worry-about-it powerhead.

 

[StartrTank]

Ok, good to know. I too thought seemed low, thanks for the input!

 

[StartrTank]

Any have any experience and/or thoughts on the JBJ Oceanstream powerheads? Powerhead is rated at either 500 or 1600 gph depending on model. Price is great and the reviews I read online seem as though it's a quality powerhead and quiet. I was thinking I could get a 500 and a 1600 so I could position corals according to how much water flow they like. Plus I could get a 500 and a 1600 for $73! Has anyone used these? How did they hold up over time?

 

[StartrTank]

Anyone?

 

[panhandler01]

I don't have any experience with the JBJ pumps. I have a standard 55 gal tank and I use (2) Koralia Evolution 850 pumps with the Hydor Wavemaker. This works pretty well. I may upgrade to the 1150 pumps in the future. The Koralia 850 pumps are $30 at Foster and Smith right now.