Need your advice on flow inside tank

[lieberca]

I know this question gets asked by a good fraction of folks starting a new build, but I'm gonna ask anyway...

Planning my new build of a 47 gallon tank with dims 40x17x16H and need to figure out what to use inside the tank for circulation. Do you guys think a single MP40 or a pair of controllable pumps (probably Tunze 6055/6040 or Current's eFlux 1050GPH; MP10 won't work since the glass is too thick) would be best for a mixed reef?

Zero experience with Vortechs, but like the idea of a single pump if it would be enough. What say you guys?

 

[frogspawn74]

For that size tank have you considered one of the newer icecap gyre's?
From a cost stand point it would be hard not to consider.
I have vortechs, tunzes, maxspect gyres, and jeboa's.

Go Icecap or start with one maxspect gyre. (the maxspect you can add a pump later with the same controller. but cost more upfront)

 

[nicoleah]

I'm a Vortech fan myself. I've found they are much more impressive for random flow when more than one is used but one MP40 would still provide a lot of water movement for a tank that size.

 

[kegogut]

I would vote for the icecap gyres as well. They cant be beat for the price,although the MPs don't have to be cleaned nearly as much as the gyres.

 

[lieberca]

The gyres piqued my interest at the outset, but it seems a lot of people with them complain of noise or reduced flow unless they are disassembled and cleaned on a very routine basis. But I agree that they seem a very cost-effective option. Think one would be enough to get the whole tank moving?

 

[smoothdog]

I've had a gyre xf130 (old design) as the only source of flow in my 40b for a couple of months now. No noise or cleaning problems so far. The new design has better impellers that are less prone to breakage and clogging.

 

[frogspawn74]

I run 9 in total. Clean once about every 6 months. No issues at all other than the first gen unit I bought. All others have been no issue. Have had more issues with my 3 mp60's. And absolutely no issues with the 3 tunze pumps I have.

You might also want to look into the new tunze stream 3 I think. The one that sits upright in a corner.

I like what ecotech offers as a product and great support. Buy you still pay semi dearly for it. And honestly I am still salty at the cost of repair of the last two I had sent in for repair.