Powerhead Recommendations

crn005 · 04/02/2013, 02:24 PM

So I have a 36 gallon bowfront that will be a SPS dominated tank with minimalistic live rock aquascaping. My overflow will be running at about 350-400 gph. I wanted to have two powerheads but I couldn't decide on the Nano Koralia 240 or 425 pgh model. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Bigcefa · 04/02/2013, 03:05 PM

Do you have a budget I'm not a fan of either one of the nanos they don't do it for me, better options out there

crn005 · 04/02/2013, 03:07 PM

There is a budget indeed. I was mostly concerned about the flow rates though. I was afraid the 425 might be too much. I don't mind getting a different type either. However, I can't drop $150-200 right now. I still have a few more things to buy before the tank is where I want it to be.

crn005 · 04/02/2013, 03:09 PM

The reason that I was looking at the nanos is because the lowest gph on their evolution line is 600. That seems a bit too strong for my size of tank. Plus, I'd like to do two. Two 600 gph powerheads seems like it would turn my tank into a toilet.

jerpa · 04/02/2013, 03:10 PM

The koralia nanos move very little water. Although the larger powerheads have a larger footprint you will be able to get away with less powerheads. For SPS you will need at least 4-6 of the nanos. You will not give the SPS too much flow. I run almost 80x turnover in my tank and I could add more without upsetting anything.

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 12:31 AM

So, if you're in my shoes, and a relative budget is in place, what powerhead are you going with? I'm definitely open to suggestions. I just don't want to rock my fish's world. I plan on adding in some softies along the way but they are going to be hidden from most of the light and flow.

that Fish Guy · 04/03/2013, 01:07 AM

For SPS I would say at least two 1050's but two 1400's would be even better.

I would stay away from Nano's.

They give off no flow.

I had two 240's on my 10 gallon.

I wanted more flow so I got a 425.

It didn't do anything.

The 425 gives the same amount of flow as the 240 (Pretty much no flow at all).

I would not do two 240's in a 36.

All my SPS died with 240's in a 10 gallon let alone a 36.

Koralia's are good Power Heads. Just get the bigger ones.

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 01:20 AM

I found three Koralia 3 powerheads for sale on craigslist for $90 total. They flow at 800ish gph each. I'm thinking about getting them but they have been discontinued from most retailers and that makes me a bit nervous. Any opinion on these?

that Fish Guy · 04/03/2013, 01:26 AM

I have only used the new Evolutions that they sell.

My favorite are the 1400's.

If they made an Evolution with more Flow than 1400 GPH I would probably use those.

austin56column · 04/03/2013, 01:32 AM

I have the evolutions as well and have been very happy with them.

austin56column · 04/03/2013, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that Fish Guy

I have only used the new Evolutions that they sell.

My favorite are the 1400's.

If they made an Evolution with more Flow than 1400 GPH I would probably use those.

The new improved 1400's are rated at 1500 gph

geaux xman · 04/03/2013, 02:00 AM

Shop around online and start with an evo750.

Its about $35 new.

I have a couple of the nano koralia and they are very weak. I dont even use them anymore.

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 02:27 AM

Quote:

If they made an Evolution with more Flow than 1400 GPH I would probably use those.

On a 36 gallon or in general?

Quote:

Shop around online and start with an evo750.

Its about $35 new.

I only saw a 600 and 850 gph on marinedepot. They are priced at $34 and $42, respectfully. I could definitely get away with one of them for a 36 gallon, correct?

geaux xman · 04/03/2013, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crn005

On a 36 gallon or in general?

I only saw a 600 and 850 gph on marinedepot. They are priced at $34 and $42, respectfully. I could definitely get away with one of them for a 36 gallon, correct?

Looks like MD has their new models.

http://www.bigalspets.com/fish.html?brand=152&cat=357
Still has the 700/1150/1400 line.

I've purchased plenty from big al's before. Very fast shipping.

Also, you might want to consider LPS first. I toiled around with some SPS and was just ****ing money away. Believe me, in a couple of weeks, the SPS will just bleach and die. SPS arent for newbies.

Drae · 04/03/2013, 04:33 AM

Any reason your shooting for 10+Times turnover? You need in tank flow and not so much sump flow ime. All you'll be doing is pushing a lot of water past your skimmer. 200gph is plenty for a 40 gallon sps tank imho and experiences. As far as in tank flow on a budget I'd go with two evo 1050's or 1400's aimed at a slight downward angle and a 750 just to break the surface. Again jmo and experience.

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Also, you might want to consider LPS first. I toiled around with some SPS and was just ****ing money away. Believe me, in a couple of weeks, the SPS will just bleach and die. SPS arent for newbies.

I'm definitely not a pro, but I've kept LPS for the past couple of years and have been very successful with them. I want to move into SPS. I've done quite a bit of research over the past couple of years, but I guess I just kind of neglected reading up on the proper flow rates a bit and went straight for the chemistry and biology behind a successful SPS tank.

Quote:

Any reason your shooting for 10+Times turnover? You need in tank flow and not so much sump flow ime. All you'll be doing is pushing a lot of water past your skimmer. 200gph is plenty for a 40 gallon sps tank imho and experiences. As far as in tank flow on a budget I'd go with two evo 1050's or 1400's aimed at a slight downward angle and a 750 just to break the surface. Again jmo and experience.

Yeah you actually hit on something that I've been tossing around in my head the past week or so. The flow rate should be less than what I quoted. I'm going to be using DIY whirling devices on the returns, splitting the return into two outlets, and using a handful of elbows along the way. It should reduce the flow rate through my sump quite a bit.

I'll shoot for a couple of the 1150's. I just remember throwing in a ~1000gph pump on my last LPS tank (about 20 gallons) and it was like watching an underwater hurricane. However, that seems to be the going trend with flow rates in successful SPS tanks.

So, you think two 600's wouldn't do the trick? Between two of those and my sump flow, that should put the flow rate of the tank just over 40x an hour. Is that too far on the stagnant side?

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 12:57 PM

If that's too stagnant then I could pump up to the 850's (about 56x rate) or the 1150's ( about 70x rate).

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 01:01 PM

Ah. After reading through previous posts, I think I will go with the 1150's. Thanks for your help, everyone!

Michigan Mike · 04/03/2013, 03:29 PM

2x 1150's

Coming from 2x750's for a 29g SPS tank.

crn005 · 04/03/2013, 03:36 PM

10-4. How did you place them in your tank btw? I'm thinking about putting them on the back and angling them in towards the middle towards each other.

Michigan Mike · 04/03/2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crn005

10-4. How did you place them in your tank btw? I'm thinking about putting them on the back and angling them in towards the middle towards each other.

Ya that sounds good, you'll figure it out but it takes some adjustment.

reeftivo · 04/03/2013, 05:26 PM

a cobalt aquatics (MJ) power head with the sureflow kit puts out INSANE flow. Even the 600 with the sureflow was too much for my small tank. It's as powerfull as my old MP20 with just as broad a flow. Loved the flow but you cant dial them down

any one else try one of these?

crn005 · 02/23/2014, 07:32 PM

So, I finally got the two 1150 gph powerheads. The problem is, when both are on, all of my sps frags retract their polyps. If I have just one on, they are extended. I thought that maybe some other things were causing this but it's clear the flow. I even thought it was odd that with both on, I get more turbulent flow. It's all laminar with just the one on. Any thoughts as to the reasoning? Oh, and below is a diagram of the way they're pointed, just in case that helps.

Here's a general idea of my rockscape.

Here's how the flow goes. Keep in mind that the pumps are at the top, pointed down in a slight angle.

Oh and it's a 36 gallon bowfront, just to remind y'all.

crn005 · 02/24/2014, 04:00 PM

Eh? Anyone? Bueller?

BigCountry74 · 02/25/2014, 10:11 AM

how about just 1 Jebao WP-25?

04/02/2013, 02:24 PM	#1
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	Powerhead Recommendations So I have a 36 gallon bowfront that will be a SPS dominated tank with minimalistic live rock aquascaping. My overflow will be running at about 350-400 gph. I wanted to have two powerheads but I couldn't decide on the Nano Koralia 240 or 425 pgh model. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

04/02/2013, 03:10 PM	#5
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	The koralia nanos move very little water. Although the larger powerheads have a larger footprint you will be able to get away with less powerheads. For SPS you will need at least 4-6 of the nanos. You will not give the SPS too much flow. I run almost 80x turnover in my tank and I could add more without upsetting anything. __________________ Jer Current Tank Info: 40b basement sump, 40b refugium, 30g frag

04/03/2013, 01:07 AM	#7
that Fish Guy Frag Swap Crusader! Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,538	For SPS I would say at least two 1050's but two 1400's would be even better. I would stay away from Nano's. They give off no flow. I had two 240's on my 10 gallon. I wanted more flow so I got a 425. It didn't do anything. The 425 gives the same amount of flow as the 240 (Pretty much no flow at all). I would not do two 240's in a 36. All my SPS died with 240's in a 10 gallon let alone a 36. Koralia's are good Power Heads. Just get the bigger ones. __________________ For a Complete List of all the Frag Swaps in 2018 Click the Link Below. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2655153 You do not want to miss any! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, 45 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 20 Gallon, 20 Gallon #2, 10 Gallon

04/03/2013, 01:26 AM	#9
that Fish Guy Frag Swap Crusader! Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,538	I have only used the new Evolutions that they sell. My favorite are the 1400's. If they made an Evolution with more Flow than 1400 GPH I would probably use those. __________________ For a Complete List of all the Frag Swaps in 2018 Click the Link Below. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2655153 You do not want to miss any! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, 45 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 20 Gallon, 20 Gallon #2, 10 Gallon

04/03/2013, 01:32 AM	#10
austin56column Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 83	I have the evolutions as well and have been very happy with them. __________________ 5 yrs off, I'm back for more. Current Tank Info: 90rr

04/02/2013, 03:05 PM	#2
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	Do you have a budget I'm not a fan of either one of the nanos they don't do it for me, better options out there

04/02/2013, 03:07 PM	#3
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	There is a budget indeed. I was mostly concerned about the flow rates though. I was afraid the 425 might be too much. I don't mind getting a different type either. However, I can't drop $150-200 right now. I still have a few more things to buy before the tank is where I want it to be.

04/02/2013, 03:09 PM	#4
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	The reason that I was looking at the nanos is because the lowest gph on their evolution line is 600. That seems a bit too strong for my size of tank. Plus, I'd like to do two. Two 600 gph powerheads seems like it would turn my tank into a toilet.

04/03/2013, 12:31 AM	#6
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	So, if you're in my shoes, and a relative budget is in place, what powerhead are you going with? I'm definitely open to suggestions. I just don't want to rock my fish's world. I plan on adding in some softies along the way but they are going to be hidden from most of the light and flow.

04/03/2013, 01:20 AM	#8
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	I found three Koralia 3 powerheads for sale on craigslist for $90 total. They flow at 800ish gph each. I'm thinking about getting them but they have been discontinued from most retailers and that makes me a bit nervous. Any opinion on these?

04/03/2013, 02:00 AM	#12
geaux xman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 3,279	Shop around online and start with an evo750. Its about $35 new. I have a couple of the nano koralia and they are very weak. I dont even use them anymore. __________________ - Miracles 180g 60x30x23" rimless FOWLR - Youtube video: Miracles 180g March 2013

04/03/2013, 04:33 AM	#15
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	Any reason your shooting for 10+Times turnover? You need in tank flow and not so much sump flow ime. All you'll be doing is pushing a lot of water past your skimmer. 200gph is plenty for a 40 gallon sps tank imho and experiences. As far as in tank flow on a budget I'd go with two evo 1050's or 1400's aimed at a slight downward angle and a 750 just to break the surface. Again jmo and experience.

04/03/2013, 12:57 PM	#17
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	If that's too stagnant then I could pump up to the 850's (about 56x rate) or the 1150's ( about 70x rate).

04/03/2013, 01:01 PM	#18
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	Ah. After reading through previous posts, I think I will go with the 1150's. Thanks for your help, everyone!

04/03/2013, 03:29 PM	#19
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	2x 1150's Coming from 2x750's for a 29g SPS tank.

04/03/2013, 03:36 PM	#20
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	10-4. How did you place them in your tank btw? I'm thinking about putting them on the back and angling them in towards the middle towards each other.

04/03/2013, 05:26 PM	#22
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	a cobalt aquatics (MJ) power head with the sureflow kit puts out INSANE flow. Even the 600 with the sureflow was too much for my small tank. It's as powerfull as my old MP20 with just as broad a flow. Loved the flow but you cant dial them down any one else try one of these? __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

02/23/2014, 07:32 PM	#23
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	So, I finally got the two 1150 gph powerheads. The problem is, when both are on, all of my sps frags retract their polyps. If I have just one on, they are extended. I thought that maybe some other things were causing this but it's clear the flow. I even thought it was odd that with both on, I get more turbulent flow. It's all laminar with just the one on. Any thoughts as to the reasoning? Oh, and below is a diagram of the way they're pointed, just in case that helps. Here's a general idea of my rockscape. Here's how the flow goes. Keep in mind that the pumps are at the top, pointed down in a slight angle. Oh and it's a 36 gallon bowfront, just to remind y'all.

02/24/2014, 04:00 PM	#24
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	Eh? Anyone? Bueller?

02/25/2014, 10:11 AM	#25
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	how about just 1 Jebao WP-25? __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef