Powerhead and LED suggestions

[mod0522]

Hello all, I currently have a 180g Deep Blue Pro tank (60X30X24) with almost entirely SPS. I finally have the ability to do some upgrading and need some suggestions.

First off I'm SOOOO sick of my aqueon powerheads and want to get some Vortechs. Perhaps 2 mp40w's?

Secondly, I have been drooling over LEDs for about a year now. I put two Radion fixtures over a 90g tank for friends and watched their great success. How many fixtures would I need for my setup?

 

[mod0522]

bump

 

[Mark Bianco]

I am not a big fan of MP's Vortechs. They are great pumps functionly, but the noise produced when ramping up drove me crazy, and I did not like the look of what I call the Mickey Mouse ears on the outside of the tank I replaced my with Tunze.

IMO As for your lighting and you want to keep mainly SPS two would not be enough. You would need at minium of three units.

At a local fish store I seen both a AI sol and a Radion both over each half of a 48" wide tank and I could see no difference. IMO neither were enough lighting for me.

Mark

 

[fortress]

I have learned as much or more from the DIY led sponsors of this site than from any of the popular manufactures sites. Check out ReefLed "how to" The answers to your questions are there.

 

[fortress]

I have shyed away from Vortec as people have reported noise. I want my fish to be seen and not heard.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

2x MP40w ES and 2x Radion XR30w G2 would be a fantastic combination on your aquarium, accomplishing your flow and lighting needs with room to spare for future growth and upgrades.

The VorTech line is not noisy, but being an externally driven motor they aren't silent either. I highly recommend viewing them in person if you think noise is a concern. Considering the unmatched flow, beauty and functionality, I'm confident that you'll be impressed.

 

[Robb in Austin]

I think the noise issue is greatly overrated. I have an MP40 on my 75, along with a Tunze Nano wavebox and I hear the wavebox over the MP. I run my MP at roughly 50% on reef crest mode. This is in a room with a 75g FW and a 58g FW both of which I hear the water falling out of the HOB filters over everything.

 

[kalgra]

I personally love my Ecotech products. Ive been using them for awhile now and have no intention of switching. My recommendation as others have suggested, two MP40 esw pumps and three Radions. That would be a sick combo.

As far as the noise thing. I just don't get this. The only one I have ever had that was even the slightest bit noisy was an MP10 that was one of the first ones released years ago and had been used and abused for two years by the previous owner. Honestly my overflow makes more noise than my MP.

 

[mod0522]

Thanks everyone, 2 mp40ws and 3 Radions it is! Any noise created by the Vortechs shouldn't be of any concern for me, seeing as they will be hidden within cabinetry, and knowing I can get away with only 3 light fixtures leaves me with extra funding for livestock. Keep a lookout for a tank show-off thread in the SPS forum in the next few weeks!