powerhead help

[docta09]

i dont know how much i need and how much gph i need.....
:frustrat:
i know theres different things to consider but what do u guys recommend
i dont want to get one and it be to weak or strong ...

 

[Sir Alex]

For soft corals and LPS I would say about 1200 GPH would be good. For SPS more like 1800 GPH.

 

[docta09]

for a 30 gallon?

 

[Sir Alex]

Yah. Softies need a turnover of about 25 times per hour and LPS need a bit more and for SPS really the more flow the better. Like a turnover of 50 to 80 times per hour.

 

[docta09]

well ive been looking online for some...
i dont want to have alot of powerheads in my tank but all the ones i see are about 100 to 200 gph.

 

[docta09]

i found one for 1300 but still not enuf

 

[Zissou]

Looks like a 29 gallon. (shorter tank than an actual 30).

I think (two) of any powerhead pushing 450-700gph should be fine. Koralia 2's, Koralia Evolution 550's, etc.

 

[docta09]

Can I just get one 1600. Is two necessary?

 

[Sir Alex]

Yah you can get one but you might find that there are parts of your tank that have too much flow or lacking flow.

 

[docta09]

oh ok... are these powerheads big.? i dont want them taking up too much of the tank

 

[Sir Alex]

With one powerhead the Evolution 1400 would be good, but if you want more you'll need a Magnum 5.

 

[marcah]

I never liked the idea of one powerhead in a tank leaves to much to chance of dead spots i agree with Zissou two smaller powerheads will bennefit you much more then one..

 

[Waddi]

+1 Zissou, 2 Koralia's in the range of 550-750 is good.
But Koralia Mags in there? Jeez are you crazy there will be a constant sand storm!

 

[docta09]

every1 is saying koralias.
do u think they'll b noticable diffrent in a knock off?

 

[bcool22]

I was reading about Koralias. they do not allow Wave control? and what is everyones thoughts on Wave control?

 

[Zissou]

Well what's your budget like? If you got money to throw around, put a single MP10 in there and call it a day.

*Random* flow is more important that just flow. Two powerheads allow the currents they generate to crash into each other. A single, large powerhead would just blast all your corals from one side, and your fish will swim in one direction.

 

[Zissou]

every1 is saying koralias.
do u think they'll b noticable diffrent in a knock off?

Everyone is saying koralias because they're affordable and generate flow in a nice circular pattern (as opposed to just a stream of water).

Aquacave carries Sicce Voyagers, which are like showerheads in that you can adjust the flow even more. Supposed to work great with wavemakers and very quiet, but are a tad more expensive.

His best option if he has money and doesn't want a bunch of powerheads in his tank is a vortech mp10 though.

 

[docta09]

Not big on money =) I was looking at some on ebay. A set of to knock off 800 gph each for 45

 

[rod_james02]

I actually bought a aquatop power head on eBay earlier. It's 1321 gph & got it for only $23.99 shipped. Plus you can use either suction or magnet for its base. I'd say that's a deal if it turns out to be a good power head. If not, well hey I got an extra power head for mixing saltwater or a QT. You can't go wrong if you have other uses for a cheap generic power head, but if it's good then I scored & I'd probably order another one. That's just my opinion. I'll let you guys know how it turn out when I get in a couple days.

 

[docta09]

i found koralias 3 (850 gph) for $30 or koralias 2 (600 gph) for $29.99.
i was thinking of geting two koralias 3.
think i will be too much (1700 gph) ?????