Whats the best controllable power head?

ser_renely · 03/22/2009, 02:46 PM

I am looking into upgrading my power heads in the next little while. I have a 55 gal tank so the standard 48 inches long. Currently have 2 koralia 3's and a maxi jet 900 on a wave timer.

The three power heads options I am looking into getting are the ones below and was wondering who makes the best quality, who has the most features, who has the best value etc...

Any input people have would be great. It seems the Tunze needs another controller to offer the same options as the others???

Hydor 2-Way Basic Wavemaker with 2 x Koralia 3 Controllable Pumps/Powerheads $400

Ecotech Marine VorTech Propeller MP20 Pump $300

Tunze TurbelleÂ® Stream 2 Controllable Pump 6105 (New Generation with Titanium Alloy Shaft) $320

Thanks,
Ser

aninjaatemyshoe · 03/22/2009, 03:43 PM

It's hard to compare the ones you've listed as they all give different amounts of flow. The Tunze 6105 gives by far the most of the three, in my experience too much for a 55 gallon tank. If you are going to look at a Tunze, look at the 6055s. The Hydor controllable pumps seem nice and might be a good choice for your tank. I've heard mixed opinions of the MP20, with some people saying that the flow seems really weak. I personally go with Tunze for my tank, primarily because I can control them directly with my Profilux controller. IME, they are high quality and very reliable.

luther1200 · 03/22/2009, 04:25 PM

I just got a mp20 for my 65g and its awesome. Very good flow, and it has 2 random pre programed modes plus the 2 pulse modes you can make what ever you want. And constant mode, it also has a feeding mode and night mode where the flow gets cut down for 10hrs for the night time. I can't compair it to a tunze because I never had 1. And I like it way better than the reg Koralia's, but they are great for the money. I still have a K3 in my tank on the other side. But I may get another mp20 soon. I am very happy with it. Its also nice having the motor outside of the tank.

blakemeadows · 03/22/2009, 04:43 PM

Tunze 6105

luvreefs23 · 03/22/2009, 04:47 PM

4 a 4 foot long tank, go with the vortech mp40 or the 6105 but u should buy a single controller with the 6105 also. I think u will cover a broader area with the vortech mp40 and that would be my first choice.

ser_renely · 03/22/2009, 08:05 PM

thanks for the info guys....

anyone else?

2farNorth · 03/22/2009, 08:17 PM

I see you have 2 Koralia 3's on their controller on the list, for $400, then below it a mp20..... Should just add a mp40w on the list for almost the same price as the hydors....

Otherwise, I'd pick the Vortech mp40w... well if you add it to the list...

And flow in numbers is alot different then flow in the tank.... I had alot more gph of flow in the tank before I switched to Vortech's.... but now alot more flow.... double... more usable flow, instead of trying to bounce the powerheads off of the glass, and stuff, the flow is better used now.... if that makes sense..

ser_renely · 03/23/2009, 09:50 AM

good point...open to anything, just starting my research and not familair with all of my options.

streetjudge79 · 03/23/2009, 10:23 AM

I love my Vortech.

jkst06 · 03/23/2009, 03:26 PM

I also love my Vortech mp40!

monti1 · 03/23/2009, 04:30 PM

I ahve both a tunze 6101 and a vortech mp4ow I love both but the random flow of the vortech is amazing. Tunze never break though.....

Doahh · 03/23/2009, 05:11 PM

You can get an MP40 for around $380 shipped BNIB from That Pet Place

ser_renely · 03/23/2009, 07:28 PM

thanks for the heads up not a bad price. Is the mp40 just stronger than the mp20?

ser_renely · 03/23/2009, 10:19 PM

The only thing I don't like about the tunzes and correct me if I am wrong, is the fact you need all of there controllers as well as the powerheads...at least from what I have read?

Alaskan Reefer · 03/24/2009, 12:10 AM

I just ordered a Vortech, it took me a bit to stomach the price. That said, I will +1 on Tunze never break. I have a pair of 6060s that I swear are indestructible. The Vortech should complement them well, I'll never stop using them.

ser_renely · 03/24/2009, 09:02 AM

Tunze seems to have a great rep.

03/22/2009, 02:46 PM	#1
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	Whats the best controllable power head? I am looking into upgrading my power heads in the next little while. I have a 55 gal tank so the standard 48 inches long. Currently have 2 koralia 3's and a maxi jet 900 on a wave timer. The three power heads options I am looking into getting are the ones below and was wondering who makes the best quality, who has the most features, who has the best value etc... Any input people have would be great. It seems the Tunze needs another controller to offer the same options as the others??? Hydor 2-Way Basic Wavemaker with 2 x Koralia 3 Controllable Pumps/Powerheads $400 Ecotech Marine VorTech Propeller MP20 Pump $300 Tunze TurbelleÂ® Stream 2 Controllable Pump 6105 (New Generation with Titanium Alloy Shaft) $320 Thanks, Ser __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

03/22/2009, 03:43 PM	#2
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	It's hard to compare the ones you've listed as they all give different amounts of flow. The Tunze 6105 gives by far the most of the three, in my experience too much for a 55 gallon tank. If you are going to look at a Tunze, look at the 6055s. The Hydor controllable pumps seem nice and might be a good choice for your tank. I've heard mixed opinions of the MP20, with some people saying that the flow seems really weak. I personally go with Tunze for my tank, primarily because I can control them directly with my Profilux controller. IME, they are high quality and very reliable. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

03/22/2009, 04:25 PM	#3
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I just got a mp20 for my 65g and its awesome. Very good flow, and it has 2 random pre programed modes plus the 2 pulse modes you can make what ever you want. And constant mode, it also has a feeding mode and night mode where the flow gets cut down for 10hrs for the night time. I can't compair it to a tunze because I never had 1. And I like it way better than the reg Koralia's, but they are great for the money. I still have a K3 in my tank on the other side. But I may get another mp20 soon. I am very happy with it. Its also nice having the motor outside of the tank. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

03/22/2009, 08:05 PM	#6
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	thanks for the info guys.... anyone else? __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

03/23/2009, 09:50 AM	#8
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	good point...open to anything, just starting my research and not familair with all of my options. __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

03/22/2009, 04:43 PM	#4
blakemeadows Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 79	Tunze 6105

03/22/2009, 04:47 PM	#5
luvreefs23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 758	4 a 4 foot long tank, go with the vortech mp40 or the 6105 but u should buy a single controller with the 6105 also. I think u will cover a broader area with the vortech mp40 and that would be my first choice.

03/22/2009, 08:17 PM	#7
2farNorth Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 929	I see you have 2 Koralia 3's on their controller on the list, for $400, then below it a mp20..... Should just add a mp40w on the list for almost the same price as the hydors.... Otherwise, I'd pick the Vortech mp40w... well if you add it to the list... And flow in numbers is alot different then flow in the tank.... I had alot more gph of flow in the tank before I switched to Vortech's.... but now alot more flow.... double... more usable flow, instead of trying to bounce the powerheads off of the glass, and stuff, the flow is better used now.... if that makes sense..

03/23/2009, 10:23 AM	#9
streetjudge79 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Miami Beach, Fl Posts: 1,970	I love my Vortech.

03/23/2009, 03:26 PM	#10
jkst06 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 138	I also love my Vortech mp40! __________________ ____________________________ 65 gal in-wall, 30 g sump/fuge ATI Sunpower Octo NW 150 skimmer

03/23/2009, 04:30 PM	#11
monti1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 352	I ahve both a tunze 6101 and a vortech mp4ow I love both but the random flow of the vortech is amazing. Tunze never break though.....

03/23/2009, 05:11 PM	#12
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	You can get an MP40 for around $380 shipped BNIB from That Pet Place __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

03/23/2009, 07:28 PM	#13
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	thanks for the heads up not a bad price. Is the mp40 just stronger than the mp20? __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

03/23/2009, 10:19 PM	#14
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	The only thing I don't like about the tunzes and correct me if I am wrong, is the fact you need all of there controllers as well as the powerheads...at least from what I have read? __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

03/24/2009, 12:10 AM	#15
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I just ordered a Vortech, it took me a bit to stomach the price. That said, I will +1 on Tunze never break. I have a pair of 6060s that I swear are indestructible. The Vortech should complement them well, I'll never stop using them. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/24/2009, 09:02 AM	#16
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	Tunze seems to have a great rep. __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!