Water Movement On A 45g Cube... Help Me Pick A Powerhead!

[Quartapound]

Good afternoon,

been doing lots of reading on powerheads lately... I was wondering if I could get TFT's collective input!

So... I'm looking for a new powerhead for my tank, 45G 'cube' (24x24x18).
(Tank thread http://www.thefragtank.ca/community/threads/quartapounds-45g-cube-reef.15737/ )

I have a mix of LPS, SPS and softies, currently the flow is provided by a Vortech MP10ES (5 yrs old) which is starting to get noisy, you can hear vibration when its ramping up and down (even after a good cleaning).

I'm considering my options

• replace wet side of MP10
• 2x Jebao RW4
• Maxspect Gyre 130

I loved the control my MP10 gave me but I didn't like how I had to blast one side of the tank to get the other side flowing nicely, I never considered adding a second one due to cost. I don't like the idea of placing the powerhead in the middle of a side pane because they both get viewed almost as much as the front.


I was thinking 2x Jebao RW4 like this (birds eye view)

... that way they're still basically out of view at the back of the tank, but provide even flow on both sides and similar ability to control as the mp10, ability to aim,


but I'm also hearing so many good things about the maxspect gyre... although basically double the cost of the Jebao's... Can't help but wonder if/how much better it would be than the Jebao's or the Vortech.

Opinions anyone?! thx.

 

[EricTMah]

I'm pretty sure Aquariums By Design,the store are getting Jebao's in soon.

I always prefer multiple power heads over a single one.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[scubasteve]

the hydor nano are pretty small and in my 45 gal seahorse cube one and the return give me almost 12x turnover but two would give you good for sps and lps just make their angles slightly different to create some turbulance and irregular flow... water moving one way constantly is not good. even when caked with gha it still spit out good. i know jebaos need to be kept clean or they lose power quick. imsure abd has em or can get em lol

Dont mind the tank im due for a cleaning again lol

didnt notice it on the back but needed it to keep more flow along my front

 

[heath]

I have a couple (3) of the vortech mp10w es that I am selling send me a pm if interested...

 

[Quartapound]

I'm pretty sure Aquariums By Design,the store are getting Jebao's in soon.

Do they stock the Maxspect Gyre ?

the hydor nano are pretty small...two would give you good for sps and lps just make their angles slightly different to create some turbulance and irregular flow... water moving one way constantly is not good.... i know jebaos need to be kept clean or they lose power quick.

aren't the hydor nano's are constant flow pumps which would require an external controller as opposed to the RW4 or the MP10 which have built in controllers that are designed to vary speed?

...I have heard the Jebao's get poor performance when dirty which is why I'm hesitant, but I've also heard they are very quiet... and read about a lot of people who are happy with the RW series, and some who arent.

the Gyre looks impressive but I'm not sure I can justify the $, when it could be coral in the tank instead

 

[Quartapound]

double post

 

[derrick orosz]

Do they stock the Maxspect Gyre ?



aren't the hydor nano's are constant flow pumps which would require an external controller as opposed to the RW4 or the MP10 which have built in controllers that are designed to vary speed?

...I have heard the Jebao's get poor performance when dirty which is why I'm hesitant, but I've also heard they are very quiet... and read about a lot of people who are happy with the RW series, and some who arent.

the Gyre looks impressive but I'm not sure I can justify the $, when it could be coral in the tank instead

i got my gyre from aquariums by designe

 

[scubasteve]

Do they stock the Maxspect Gyre ?



aren't the hydor nano's are constant flow pumps which would require an external controller as opposed to the RW4 or the MP10 which have built in controllers that are designed to vary speed?

...I have heard the Jebao's get poor performance when dirty which is why I'm hesitant, but I've also heard they are very quiet... and read about a lot of people who are happy with the RW series, and some who arent.

the Gyre looks impressive but I'm not sure I can justify the $, when it could be coral in the tank instead

get a dollar store timer and put on 5 min intervals is way cheaper than the controller it doesnt do anything specialjust has a feed mode and can change duration between switch so technically a timer is better.. only reason i use controller is it takes 4 cords from powerheads but only has one itself so saves plugs on power bar

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Im using the RW series in my 135g, the 20's. My only complaint with them is how noisy they can be. Especially on else mode, listening to them wind up and down and all over the place lol! Cant speak much for the 4's tho. Personally i wouldnt go back to Vortech for the price reason.. that and id need 2 60's for my 135. Jebaos are alot cheaper and pretty reliable in my opinion. Havent tried the gyre or many other powerheads so i am a little biased lol.

 

[jroovers]

Gyre 130 hands down. Placed vertically it would be great in your tank. I have a 45 gallon 36" long and two RW4 s were not enough. The 130 is amazing and with the price coming down, it's fairly comparably priced. Quiet to boot.

 

[EricTMah]

Do they stock the Maxspect Gyre ?



aren't the hydor nano's are constant flow pumps which would require an external controller as opposed to the RW4 or the MP10 which have built in controllers that are designed to vary speed?

...I have heard the Jebao's get poor performance when dirty which is why I'm hesitant, but I've also heard they are very quiet... and read about a lot of people who are happy with the RW series, and some who arent.

the Gyre looks impressive but I'm not sure I can justify the $, when it could be coral in the tank instead

Yup.
Pop by and talk to the guys there. They'll give you their honest reviews on all the power heads you're looking at.

They stock the gyre and hydors. Used to carry vortech and will be getting the Jebao's

Sony Xperia Z3