Powerheads - Newbie needs some advice!

M

MatAndPatti

New member
We're finally (yay!:celeb1:) starting to set up our 40g breeder and I have some questions about powerheads.

Aesthetically, we prefer the look of something like the Hydor Koralia or Tunze Turbelle. (Yes, I'd love a Vortech but the $ just isn't in the piggy bank for that right now...:lol:) We'll be running an Aquaclear 110 HOB setup as a fuge for filtration, so that will give us some flow, but we'll definitely need more.

I realize some of this will be dependent on how we scape things and what our livestock eventually requires. I'm just looking for some ballpark ideas right now so I don't end up spending $ on bits I'll be looking to sell 3 months from now....

So, my questions...
1. How Many? Would we be better off with 1-2 large heads, or 3-4 smaller heads?
2. How big? For a tank our size, is there any easy rule of thumb on what flow rates we should be looking for?
3. What's good? The Tunze is almost 2x the price of the comparably sized Hydor. Is it really that much better? Any other brands we might want to consider?

Thanks!
Mat
 
Maxi-jets all the way. Indestructible and dirt cheap. What's more is you can mod them down the road fairly cheaply. What more could a reefer on a budget ask for.
 
The Koralia are nice, just double check that they can be aimed. The nanos I have (they are a few years old, hopefully the design has changed) aren't, but the larger ones I have are. You definitely want ones that can be aimed.

Aesthetically, I like as few as possible (I don't like clutter in my tank)... but I have had better luck keeping water moving and avoided dead spots with more powerheads. So it's kind of a trade off.

Flow is a crucial factor in keeping a successful tank. IMO, the rule is that you want as much flow as you can without making your corals unhappy. It really depends on what kinds of corals you keep (some like more flow, some like less) and how you arrange your tank. I think 6 powerheads is good... one in each of the top 4 corners, 1 in each of the back bottom corners pointed behind your rock stack.

But a lot of it is trial and error. You're going to have to be a few, try them in different locations and see what happens... then go from there.
 
I'll vouch for the maxijet 1200 (or 900). I added the sure flow kit and magnet mount and for the money they're great.
 
I've been using the MaxiJet 1200 also. I like the fact that the range of motion on them is greater than the Koralia. I use two of them on my 60 gallon tank, but both are set up with the mod kits. I absolutely agree with Willistein, the magnets are essential. The pumps come with a bracket that uses suction cups and they don't last long. Having one come off its mounting and pointing toward the sand is a nightmare. I don't know much about the new ones. Maybe BlockHead can tell us more.
 
Hmmm...maybe my MJ is different but that's the one criticism I have for the MJ vs. Koralia. The articulation on the Koralia seems way better then my mj.
 
I think there is a ball joint on the mod kit that offers more articulation than usual. Thanks for the word, Justin...I was trying to come up with "articulation" and my old brain just couldn't pull it off the tip of my tongue.
 
Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! :spin3:

I had only ever seen the MJ1200 in "powerhead mode" prior to posting, and that look is kindof bulky, IMHO. The pro model's "circulation mode" is much nicer looking (that's why we were tending toward the koralia in the first place. It's compact and "sleek" looking).

So many of you had such good things to say about the MJ that I think we'll give that one a try to start with!

Thanks again! I feel so lucky to have found this group and to see how active the local reef community is! :wave:
 
the new mj's come with a factory mod/or can be ran old school. $30 for 1300 gph. mp's are nice but can't be angled. i'd consider going less than the 1200 mj for a 40 breeder. it was brutal in my 15, churns in my 4' 90 nicely
 
On the 40b, seriously make the budget for the mp10, you will be completely satisfied with the decision in the end. I say if you really HAVE to get out on a low budget, go with two Hydor Nano 425 mounted opposite each other, one to push flow across the back of the tank, the other aimed to push the flow back across the front of the tank. They can be purchased super cheap off reputable vendors on eBay, and look worlds better than the Maxijet pros in circulation mode. The two of them will get you about a 22-23x turnover rate in the tank, enough to keep whatever you want with proper lighting. The other advantage to the Hydor nanos is that the current line are rated for use with wavemaker controllers and don't clank when you turn them on like the maxijets will.
 
My MJ's break all the time or need to be cleaned too often. It's not worth my time maintaining them. Step up to a Tunze or Vortech and after 3 years of uninterrupted service you'll be quite happy.
 
OP stated above that MP10 isn't doable now...they are 10x more than the others she's looking at. I run mostly Koralias but I'm thinking that I most likely will start swapping them out with the MJ's. One of my biggest complaints is with the K nanos...I've broken 2 of the mounting pegs off them...that's super annoying!
 
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