Powerheads in a 90g mixed reef

audiophile42 · 08/18/2009, 08:35 PM

I've got a 90g that I've just started stocking with coral. Some Zoas, ricordia, mostly lps, and a few sps. I'll most likely get into more sps as the tank matures. For flow I've had an eheim 1262 return, 2 x Koralia 3, and a Koralia 4.

The Koralia 4 stopped working yesterday and I haven't been able to get it going again. So I started looking for replacements. I noticed that some of my fish would avoid the areas where the K4 was pushing directly, like it was too turbulent for them. So I was thinking of getting something a little more gentle and indirect.

Seems like the Mp40w is the hot thing in powerheads. Is it worth the price? Is it too much flow for a mixed 90g? Would having a wave going up and down affect the overflow drain at all?

Mike31154 · 08/18/2009, 09:23 PM

Definitely not too much flow for a 90, in fact, you could easily use two MP40Ws in there. They are highly adjustable and I have two running in a 75.

Are they worth the price? That's an ongoing debate and you'll get some very strong opinions on both sides of that coin. After researching the product I decided to spring for one since the concept seemed like a great one. I started with one only since that's all I could afford but not long after having it in my tank, there was no doubt that a second one was in the future. Just over a year after getting the first, I managed to get a new one from a fellow reefer who had a change of plans and was selling off a number of MP40Ws. So I got a bit of a deal on number two. I'm totally satisfied with the product, the features and manufacturer's support are excellent. EcoTech has their own forum here on RC, check it out for more info as well as their web site if you haven't already.

You've still got some working Koralias, so why not start with one MP40W? I'm sure once you've got that thing in the 90, you'll be pleased and looking forward to getting another.

Oh yes, wrt making a wave & affecting the overflow. I don't run my VorTechs in a mode to create a surface wave. I run them in long pulse mode so the flow is nicely random & back & forth sub surface, but no surface wave to affect my pre skimmer box. I don't have a sump at this time, so no overflow. But I do need to keep an eye on the skimmer box that feeds the skimmer so the pump doesn't empty it and cavitate.

sedor · 08/18/2009, 09:29 PM

+1 If I could get an mp40 right now I would, i've just got so much other equipment to get first

On a side note, K4's are handy. I have 2 of them running in my 75 as well as a K2. The cool thing about K4's is that you can mod them and increase the gph from 1250 to 2500! I haven't done it on mine because that would put me close to around 6000 gph and I personally feel that's a bit to much on a 75.

But yes, if you have the money spring for an mp40, and Mike is right your going to want 2 eventually. There are so many cool things they can do.

08/18/2009, 08:35 PM	#1
audiophile42 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 410	Powerheads in a 90g mixed reef I've got a 90g that I've just started stocking with coral. Some Zoas, ricordia, mostly lps, and a few sps. I'll most likely get into more sps as the tank matures. For flow I've had an eheim 1262 return, 2 x Koralia 3, and a Koralia 4. The Koralia 4 stopped working yesterday and I haven't been able to get it going again. So I started looking for replacements. I noticed that some of my fish would avoid the areas where the K4 was pushing directly, like it was too turbulent for them. So I was thinking of getting something a little more gentle and indirect. Seems like the Mp40w is the hot thing in powerheads. Is it worth the price? Is it too much flow for a mixed 90g? Would having a wave going up and down affect the overflow drain at all?

08/18/2009, 09:23 PM	#2
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	Definitely not too much flow for a 90, in fact, you could easily use two MP40Ws in there. They are highly adjustable and I have two running in a 75. Are they worth the price? That's an ongoing debate and you'll get some very strong opinions on both sides of that coin. After researching the product I decided to spring for one since the concept seemed like a great one. I started with one only since that's all I could afford but not long after having it in my tank, there was no doubt that a second one was in the future. Just over a year after getting the first, I managed to get a new one from a fellow reefer who had a change of plans and was selling off a number of MP40Ws. So I got a bit of a deal on number two. I'm totally satisfied with the product, the features and manufacturer's support are excellent. EcoTech has their own forum here on RC, check it out for more info as well as their web site if you haven't already. You've still got some working Koralias, so why not start with one MP40W? I'm sure once you've got that thing in the 90, you'll be pleased and looking forward to getting another. Oh yes, wrt making a wave & affecting the overflow. I don't run my VorTechs in a mode to create a surface wave. I run them in long pulse mode so the flow is nicely random & back & forth sub surface, but no surface wave to affect my pre skimmer box. I don't have a sump at this time, so no overflow. But I do need to keep an eye on the skimmer box that feeds the skimmer so the pump doesn't empty it and cavitate. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps..... Last edited by Mike31154; 08/18/2009 at 09:46 PM.

08/18/2009, 09:29 PM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	+1 If I could get an mp40 right now I would, i've just got so much other equipment to get first On a side note, K4's are handy. I have 2 of them running in my 75 as well as a K2. The cool thing about K4's is that you can mod them and increase the gph from 1250 to 2500! I haven't done it on mine because that would put me close to around 6000 gph and I personally feel that's a bit to much on a 75. But yes, if you have the money spring for an mp40, and Mike is right your going to want 2 eventually. There are so many cool things they can do. __________________ Ryan