Are These Powerheads Reeally Crappy??

[tent-tacal]

ok,ive seen the new power heads out(and there awesome),and theses are really old school,they still work great though.im going to get two more(the new ones)to add to my flow.are theses reeeeally that bad??

[One Dumm Hikk]

I have 2 of those in my 55G freshwater tank.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=0321066000000

Pumps 175 gph. For the same money (20 dollars), you can order an MJ1200 that pumps 300 gph.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4609

Are they bad? I have had my two forever and never had any problems with them in a FW tank. The flowrate is about right for what I use them for. If I ever have to replace them, I will replace them with MJ600's which pump about the same amount of water. MJ600's mainly because I have a box full of MJ's (400, 600, 900 and 1200's).

This is a thread where I was asking about the mod'ed 1200'es I have and the problem I have with one of them:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1433167

If you are serious about wanting more flow, get a Koralia 4 or similar. A little more expensive but well worth it if you are buying new.

I use my MJ's because I have them and have the mod kits.

[Everyones Hero]

What do you mean are they at bad? I'm just curious because I'm running a penguin on my 55g & I want to know if there's something I need to look out for. (Wanted a MJ but the places near me don't carry them.)

[hahnmeister]

Those pumps rock actually... they last forever. One of the better makes out there... just not as many sizes available. Marineland bought Aquarium Systems (Maxi-Jet), and thats why you dont see the pengiuns much anymore.

http://www.marineland.com/sites/mari...=1186&mid=3226

[zombiereef]

if they lasted years and years, you didnt have any problems with them, they are quiet and do the job i would say they are great.
the thing with "powerheads" is that they really havent changed much for a very long time. even newer maxjets are similar enough to the penguins to say they really arent different. the only "different" powerheads now (that i am aware of) are the koralia type and the vortech ones ($$$$). aside from those a powerhead is pretty much a powerhead. some are better than others, but only marginally. i would go with what suits your needs in your price range. if you like regular style powerheads, i would go with maxjets. if you have an unlimited budget you can go with the new controllable koralias or vortechs.

[tent-tacal]

im a little worried if i would have enough flow for sps.especially because they have to be in the upper corner and i have to face them downwards?if they do a good job,ill probably just stick with these(im avoiding spending more money than i have to)yeah i know,,im a reefer on a budget

[woody283]

those powerheads will work fine but for SPS you will need alot more flow. use the powere heads you got an add a couple korilas as the money permits

[tent-tacal]

they look so much better than mine,ill probably end up getting four and using my old ones for mixing salthow many gph would be good if i ended up getting two for a 55g?

[Left Coast DJ]

I use a Penguin in my mixing bucket. Pretty decent pump. But MaxiJet, I believe, is better.

[woody283]

If your serious about SPS then you should be looking for at least 40x turn over for flow. so 2 korila #4 would give you 43x in a 55(1200 gph each)

[Garage1217]

I have about 5 of those still going strong after 7 freakin years of use in my freshwater tanks! Bullet proof powerheads I tell ya! Wish all my equipment lasted that long.

[Fishbulb2]

Those penguin powerheads are great. I had my last one for 10yrs and finally had to replace it last year. As mentioned above, they're indestructible.

[mcarroll]

MaxiJets are definitely not bad pumps in general, but I recommend against the 1200.

It doesn't deliver the rated flow, and uses as much power as an Eheim 1250.

The Penguin 1140 is a much better choice at that flowrate - 11 watts, 300+ gph confirmed.

-Matt

[Everyones Hero]

Originally posted by mcarroll
MaxiJets are definitely not bad pumps in general, but I recommend against the 1200.

It doesn't deliver the rated flow, and uses as much power as an Eheim 1250.

The Penguin 1140 is a much better choice at that flowrate - 11 watts, 300+ gph confirmed.

-Matt

That's one of the 3 I have in my 55g. One is a MJ-600 & the other is an Aquatic Gardens 160gph. The Aquatic Gardens is no good. I got it for mixing salt when I had my FW stuff in my 20g, but it's in my 55g for now until I get something better.

There isn't much of a price difference between the 1140 ($40 at PetCo) & the Korillas ($50ish local LFS.)

[xtm]

Are These Powerheads Reeally Crappy??

No, not really. At least they don't blow up like the Rios. I've owned a couple of them that I used for my phosban reactor, and both had their impellers "swell" inside the pump. They generated TONS of heat but they didn't leak tar. I guess that was good news.



here's the swollen impeller



A friendly advice.. I know you're in a budget and all, but let's face it- "SPS" and "budget" don't belong in the same sentence. I would invest in a GOOD, RELIABLE pump from the get-go (like a Tunze Stream). Don't skimp on flow and pump reliability when it comes to SPS. For a little more change, you can go with a Nanostream.

Just a suggestion

[serolis7]

I had one where the impeller swelled as well. Made the powerhead useless.

[mcarroll]

if it's the impeller is stuck or the motor is damaged, that's one thing, but the impeller on those can be replaced for $5-$10 bucks. Even if it's old it might even be worth calling Marineland to complain as it's hard to imagine that wouldn't be considered a manufacturing defect. Just my guess tho, as they've been good in the (distant) past with me in replacing parts. As I said, at least worth a call.

-Matt

[billdogg]

I've used them for years (20+) although they do fail eventually - and what doesn't?? - they are a good product for the price - 1 word of caution - because they are inexpensive - when they fail THROW THEM OUT! I tried to fix one a number of years ago - all seemed fine - put it in the tank nothing happened - stuck my hand in to give it a shake - BAM i was tossed about 15 feet by the shock. and yes - i now have GFCI's on ALL tank equipment

[tent-tacal]

lol i know "budget" and wanting sps shouldnt go together but i know i can save a few bucks here and there when i can.insted of buying a conopy from petco to install my future retro kit for $110, i shopped around and found the same canopy for at another store for $65.

[tkeracer619]

Maxijet 1200 is a much better pump for the same price.

Also, you can easily mod your maxijet to get a LOT of flow with the sureflow mod.

I personally use koralias and are pleased with there performance.

[GSMguy]

Originally posted by tent-tacal
im a little worried if i would have enough flow for sps.especially because they have to be in the upper corner and i have to face them downwards?if they do a good job,ill probably just stick with these(im avoiding spending more money than i have to)yeah i know,,im a reefer on a budget

tunze nano 6025 can be modded to well over 1,200gph go for a pair of those to suppliment the powerheads you have now

also that is not an SPS tank... get rid of the hang on filters(nitrate factories) and get a skimmer then you have an sps tank.

[hahnmeister]

Aquaclear 802 as well... not as cheap, but hella better.