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aceofspadeskb 
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 Topic: Powerhead for 55 gallon
Posted: March 21 2013 at 10:02am |
I'm trying to decide what powerheads to buy for my new 55 gal setup. I've heard people tell me they love their maxi jets, but they all have the old style and it seems the new styles with maxi jet's own mods have troubles. I'm also looking at Koralia as well. Any opinions between these two? Also, I've heard that you want 20-40 times the tank size in flow/hour. That's quite a range...any opinions how much I need? If sump size equates into this, it will be 20 gallons. I don't want to be limitied to what I can put into the tank so I'm thinking of doing more towards the 40 times end of the range. Thanks from the newb!
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Ann_A
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 10:10am |
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Personally I'd go with the Koralias out of those two. If also go higher on the flow range, maybe around 5-6000gph. If you can afford one I'd say get an MP40 and call it good.
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aceofspadeskb
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 10:12am |
Budget is going to prevent me from getting an MP40, but I guess could dream... 
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Lewy
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 11:29am |
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are you planning on using a wave maker of any kind? If so the maxi pro model wont work with the "circulation" mod. The impeller shoots off and blows the casing off. but if you use it as the power head it works just fine but with a lower flow rate and a jet so be careful where you point it. also the suction cups suck so get the magnet. by the time you've bought the magnet you might have well got the Koralia. Just my .02
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40 gal w/ 20 sump
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aceofspadeskb
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 11:40am |
Thanks Lewy! I'm not decided on the wavemaker yet. It seems the less expensive(and therefore in my budget) models aren't definitively effective. Any thoughts? Back to flow, Ann_A recommended 5-6000 GPH. Isn't that a bit excessive for a 55 gallon tank? Even if you include my sump volume of 20 gallons, that is 66 - 80 times the volume of my system. Then again, I'm the newb and could be wrong 
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Lewy
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 1:04pm |
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well in my tank I have two maxi jet 600 at 160 g/h each a Penguin 550 at 145 g/h but isn't accurate because I modified it, and a Via Aqua 1800 from sump to display at 480 g/h. The power heads are on a wave maker so no more than 2 on at a time. So at peak I have 785 g/h in a 30 gallon display tank. That puts me at just under 20 times turn over when you include volume of the sump. I've been accused of under flowing my tank. I have softies, LPS, and SPS in the tank and they do quite well. My original idea was to use the circulation mods which would have given me close to 40 time turn over but like I said before the mods can't handle the turn on and off of a wave maker. and I found sand would get blown around so I don't mind the flow in my tank.
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40 gal w/ 20 sump
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Cody
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 3:05pm |
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Honestly I think it's personal preference. I like a gentle flow. I don't like my corals looking like they got hit by a tornado.
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Bryce
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 4:25pm |
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Koralias if vortech are out of budget
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65g Reef
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JohnnyHeavens
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Posted: March 21 2013 at 5:52pm |
 Bryce wrote:
Koralias if vortech are out of budget |
+1 But, one thought is to plan for 2x MP10s. This would let you save for one now and then get a second one later on.
I love the flow calculator that ecotech marine has for their vortech pumps. It's made to help select the right vortech pump of course but you can use it to get an idea of recommended type of flow. Assuming (never a good idea) your tank is apx. 48 x 12 x 21 then two pumps on the ends may be the best idea.
I started out with some Koralias on our 40g and it's $80+ I wish I'd saved for the MP I soon moved to anyhow. Have you started a tank thread yet?
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aceofspadeskb
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Posted: March 22 2013 at 9:25am |
Sounds like the MP10s are quite popular. The real problem is I'm new, totally addicted, and have no patience! I want my tank NOW...and can't really afford MP10s. Maybe it's worth the wait? I haven't set up a tank thread yet...consider me the newb who is hooked, but also convinced he's doomed to failure if he sets himself up for public scrutiny.  |
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JohnnyHeavens
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Posted: March 22 2013 at 9:41am |
ha-I get the addicted, new, and impatient thing! Well the pumps are worth it but if you need them now then get what you can. If you are just starting a cycle and you have some time before you have coral in the tank that will need the flow then maybe you can afford to wait.
There are other nice pumps out there and I'm sure someone will mention them but I love the power, control, small in-tank footprint, and variability of the vortech pumps. Since it's what I researched and ended up using after researching it all...it's the only experience I can offer but there are lots of smart, experienced, and NICE folks here so I'd not be worried about any ridicule.
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@Home
300g System 150g-Cube Reef+60g Frag+WaterChange
150g Tall FOWLR RIP
@Work RSM 130D w/LEDs
txt anytime @ eightO1-seven5five-eighteen99
Scuba! PADI Pro DM/AI/TecDeep
NSS/CDS-Full Cave Diver
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Bryce
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Posted: March 22 2013 at 9:42am |
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Used mp10 is 160-220 depending on model...in terms of the "big picture" of a tank cost this is very reasonable considering a bucket of salt is going to cost you $40 but if its just not an option go multiple smaller koralias that way you can be sure to cover all spots that need flow.
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65g Reef
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