Whats the best controllable power head?

[ser_renely]

I am looking into upgrading my power heads in the next little while. I have a 55 gal tank so the standard 48 inches long. Currently have 2 koralia 3's and a maxi jet 900 on a wave timer.


The three power heads options I am looking into getting are the ones below and was wondering who makes the best quality, who has the most features, who has the best value etc...

Any input people have would be great. It seems the Tunze needs another controller to offer the same options as the others???

Hydor 2-Way Basic Wavemaker with 2 x Koralia 3 Controllable Pumps/Powerheads $400

Ecotech Marine VorTech Propeller MP20 Pump $300

Tunze Turbelle® Stream 2 Controllable Pump 6105 (New Generation with Titanium Alloy Shaft) $320

Thanks,
Ser

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

It's hard to compare the ones you've listed as they all give different amounts of flow. The Tunze 6105 gives by far the most of the three, in my experience too much for a 55 gallon tank. If you are going to look at a Tunze, look at the 6055s. The Hydor controllable pumps seem nice and might be a good choice for your tank. I've heard mixed opinions of the MP20, with some people saying that the flow seems really weak. I personally go with Tunze for my tank, primarily because I can control them directly with my Profilux controller. IME, they are high quality and very reliable.

 

[luther1200]

I just got a mp20 for my 65g and its awesome. Very good flow, and it has 2 random pre programed modes plus the 2 pulse modes you can make what ever you want. And constant mode, it also has a feeding mode and night mode where the flow gets cut down for 10hrs for the night time. I can't compair it to a tunze because I never had 1. And I like it way better than the reg Koralia's, but they are great for the money. I still have a K3 in my tank on the other side. But I may get another mp20 soon. I am very happy with it. Its also nice having the motor outside of the tank.

 

[blakemeadows]

Tunze 6105

 

[luvreefs23]

4 a 4 foot long tank, go with the vortech mp40 or the 6105 but u should buy a single controller with the 6105 also. I think u will cover a broader area with the vortech mp40 and that would be my first choice.

 

[ser_renely]

thanks for the info guys....

anyone else?

 

[2farNorth]

I see you have 2 Koralia 3's on their controller on the list, for $400, then below it a mp20..... Should just add a mp40w on the list for almost the same price as the hydors....

Otherwise, I'd pick the Vortech mp40w... well if you add it to the list...

And flow in numbers is alot different then flow in the tank.... I had alot more gph of flow in the tank before I switched to Vortech's.... but now alot more flow.... double... more usable flow, instead of trying to bounce the powerheads off of the glass, and stuff, the flow is better used now.... if that makes sense..

 

[ser_renely]

good point...open to anything, just starting my research and not familair with all of my options.

 

[streetjudge79]

I love my Vortech.

 

[jkst06]

I also love my Vortech mp40!

 

[monti1]

I ahve both a tunze 6101 and a vortech mp4ow I love both but the random flow of the vortech is amazing. Tunze never break though.....

 

[Doahh]

You can get an MP40 for around $380 shipped BNIB from That Pet Place

 

[ser_renely]

thanks for the heads up not a bad price. Is the mp40 just stronger than the mp20?

 

[ser_renely]

The only thing I don't like about the tunzes and correct me if I am wrong, is the fact you need all of there controllers as well as the powerheads...at least from what I have read?

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I just ordered a Vortech, it took me a bit to stomach the price. That said, I will +1 on Tunze never break. I have a pair of 6060s that I swear are indestructible. The Vortech should complement them well, I'll never stop using them.

 

[ser_renely]

Tunze seems to have a great rep.