i need some powerhead help please :)

saltyshanker · 04/16/2018, 12:39 PM

will 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 1500s and the Hydor Smart Wave Circulation Pump Controller be alright for a 120 gallon ? im new to the hobby and i dont really want to spend 500$ on 2 powerheads straight off the bat. If 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution1500s arent suitable for a 120 gallon can you guys give me some other options that are cheap but good quality ? thanks .

mcgyvr · 04/16/2018, 12:44 PM

In general you want about 30x display tank volume in gallons per hour (GPH) of flow in a tank as a good starting point.. Some run 50-75x on higher flow SPS tanks,etc.. but 30 is a great starting point..

So now you can answer your own question..

Now..
I would also recommend against the smart wave.. Those controllers were never designed to be turned on/off quickly like that and they tend to make some noise when doing so as well as causing more wear/tear on the powerhead..

If you want (you don't need) "wavemaker" devices then I would suggest looking into Jeabo PP/SW/OW series wavemakers.. They are low cost and reliable enough..

saltyshanker · 04/16/2018, 12:47 PM

thanks for the info , do you think a couple of the jebaos would do well ? https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-OW-25-W...abo+wavemakers

mcgyvr · 04/16/2018, 12:49 PM

FYI.. Looks like you posted after I did and you included some external link or something..
This site "jails" those posts (new user, external link) as spam prevention until a moderator approves them which typically happens in 24 hours or less..
I can tell you posted "something" but can't see your post..

Just letting you know since the site doesn't..

saltyshanker · 04/16/2018, 12:54 PM

ohhh hehe my bad i didnt know i couldnt post links , i replied with a amazon link for a jewbao OW-25 184-2245 and was wondering if a couple of those would be good

mcgyvr · 04/16/2018, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltyshanker

ohhh hehe my bad i didnt know i couldnt post links , i replied with a amazon link for a jewbao OW-25 184-2245 and was wondering if a couple of those would be good

Do a couple add up to 30x display tank volume or a bit more?

I'll help

2245GPH x 2powerheads = 4490/120 = 37x and being that they are adjustable that should be really nice for your tank assuming you don't have fine sugar/oolitic sand..

saltyshanker · 04/16/2018, 01:06 PM

thanks ! ill go with those than thanks for all the help !

billdogg · 04/16/2018, 01:42 PM

FWIW - I used 4 x koralia 1500's in my 120DT (mostly SPS) so that I could have even more "random" flow - 2 on each side of a center overflow, all angled in and up. They worked pretty well IMO. I upgraded to 2 x Gyre 250's and am much happier with the flow although fine fine sand gets blown to where the currents want it to be.

DancingShark · 04/17/2018, 04:58 PM

I will +1 on gyre. Got my second 250 on Sunday and decommisionded
Two koralia 2450 3rd gen. They are not as powerful as advertised, loud for what ever reason and with the controller they click every time they turn on. You do have to do maintenance on the gyres tho.

mrsixstrings12 · 04/17/2018, 07:44 PM

I went with 2 jebao pp8's for my 120g. I only have 3 small LPS frags so far but they are doing great. I really wanted to go with the gyres but I've read too many bad reviews to chance something that expensive.

04/16/2018, 12:39 PM	#1
saltyshanker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	i need some powerhead help please :) will 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 1500s and the Hydor Smart Wave Circulation Pump Controller be alright for a 120 gallon ? im new to the hobby and i dont really want to spend 500$ on 2 powerheads straight off the bat. If 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution1500s arent suitable for a 120 gallon can you guys give me some other options that are cheap but good quality ? thanks .

04/16/2018, 12:44 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	In general you want about 30x display tank volume in gallons per hour (GPH) of flow in a tank as a good starting point.. Some run 50-75x on higher flow SPS tanks,etc.. but 30 is a great starting point.. So now you can answer your own question.. Now.. I would also recommend against the smart wave.. Those controllers were never designed to be turned on/off quickly like that and they tend to make some noise when doing so as well as causing more wear/tear on the powerhead.. If you want (you don't need) "wavemaker" devices then I would suggest looking into Jeabo PP/SW/OW series wavemakers.. They are low cost and reliable enough.. __________________ Who me?

04/16/2018, 12:47 PM	#3
saltyshanker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	thanks for the reply ! thanks for the info , do you think a couple of the jebaos would do well ? https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-OW-25-W...abo+wavemakers

04/16/2018, 12:49 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	FYI.. Looks like you posted after I did and you included some external link or something.. This site "jails" those posts (new user, external link) as spam prevention until a moderator approves them which typically happens in 24 hours or less.. I can tell you posted "something" but can't see your post.. Just letting you know since the site doesn't.. __________________ Who me?

04/16/2018, 01:42 PM	#8
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	FWIW - I used 4 x koralia 1500's in my 120DT (mostly SPS) so that I could have even more "random" flow - 2 on each side of a center overflow, all angled in and up. They worked pretty well IMO. I upgraded to 2 x Gyre 250's and am much happier with the flow although fine fine sand gets blown to where the currents want it to be. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/16/2018, 12:54 PM	#5
saltyshanker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	ohhh hehe my bad i didnt know i couldnt post links , i replied with a amazon link for a jewbao OW-25 184-2245 and was wondering if a couple of those would be good

04/16/2018, 01:06 PM	#7
saltyshanker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	thanks ! ill go with those than thanks for all the help !

04/17/2018, 04:58 PM	#9
DancingShark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 126	I will +1 on gyre. Got my second 250 on Sunday and decommisionded Two koralia 2450 3rd gen. They are not as powerful as advertised, loud for what ever reason and with the controller they click every time they turn on. You do have to do maintenance on the gyres tho.

04/17/2018, 07:44 PM	#10
mrsixstrings12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 132	I went with 2 jebao pp8's for my 120g. I only have 3 small LPS frags so far but they are doing great. I really wanted to go with the gyres but I've read too many bad reviews to chance something that expensive.