Vortech MP40 - 90g Tank

[DustinB]

So I finally broke down and bought an MP40, it will be here later today. I bought this with the main purpose of removing my 2 x K2's and 2 x K3's.

I've read several threads about what kind of flow an MP40 puts out, but the jury still seems to be out on if 1 MP40 is enough. Some people say no, others say yes. One guy even said he had 2 MP40s and had to remove one. All in a 90g tank.

Just trying to get an idea of what to expect. Will 1 MP40 be enough flow for my 90g tank? I have about 140lbs of rock. Mag 9.5 return. Single overflow box on left third of the tank. (AGA 90g tank). Mainly an SPS tank. Hoping I can get rid of all these powerheads.

[Eurobeaner]

1mp40 will most likely not reach the opposite side. I have a single koralia evo on the opposite side of mine

Just experiment. Run the mp40 for a little bit alone, then see where flow is lacking if any

[DustinB]

What size evo? Where do you have it placed/pointed?

[Eurobeaner]

Vortec on right side, evo (1050 gph) on the top left pointing torwards the center of the tank, midway down. Creates good random flow. The Vortec is on long pulse mode ~8 sec long burst.

The vortec creates awesome flow 3/4 of the way, the evo just helps on that side. I've also put my return on that side shooting across the top making alot of surface agitation. The vortec 8" down the glass makes enough on the right side. Lol

[Der ABT]

I have a 90g as well with two towers for live rock with a split just below the center brace.
i am sps nuts and the tank is bare bottom. I have an old tunze 6080 that i run on the long side of the tank and i think its about 2500 gph. I got the mp40 and put it on the back wall facing forward to get some flow in the front of the tank taht would then go out to the sides.

I think the mp40 alone would be fine if your rockwork allowed for a straight shot, but with mine i think the rock would really been a problem.
when the mp40 is turned up its silent on teh back wall, ive heard that when they are on the smaller sides they can get loud but havent tried it yet.

You could get away with it but i would suggest either an mp40 and a koralia to give you a little extra, my opinion but if you dont need a ton of flow i would also think you would be fine

[Beaun]

I had an MP40 with a K1400 on the opposing side on a timer in my 65g. I could have gotten away easily with just the MP40, but the K1400 created more randomness.

[patsfan1130]

I run 2 40's on my 90g mixed and all my corals are in heaven. I honestly do not think 1 will suffice a heavily dominated sps tank regardless of rockwork.

[coseal]

patsfan1130 what mode do you run? and what power lvl?

[toxqc]

I have 1 MP40w in my 90g on the left side and would need a second one on the opposite side. I'm unable to do a wave

I say you need 2

[deangelr]

x2 on 2

[DustinB]

Well that sucks. A $400 powerhead rated at 50-500 gallons won't provide enough flow for a 90g tank.

[deangelr]

yes... yes it does.. I opted for a maxijet mod on another tank I set up for this same reason..

and I really like the mod.. but no controllability..

[reefer91]

Multiple powerheads will always be better than one. It's just the way it is.

[DustinB]

Maybe I can direct both return heads to the left side of the tank and get away with it. The whole reason I reluctantly forked out the cash was to only have one powerhead in the tank. I was getting good random flow with my 4 koralias.

[HowieB]

Beaun, how do you have the K1400 on the timer? How often does it go on & off? Thanks

[saleen2881]

I would go with 2, I have an mp40 es and 2 koralia evo 1400 and I would still like more flow. I don't think 1 is enough...

[patsfan1130]

Originally Posted by coseal

patsfan1130 what mode do you run? and what power lvl?

I run both on reefcrest most of the time @ 75%. If they weren't so loud at 100% I would be running them at max.

[Pallobi]

If u are an sps keeper, 2 is the way to go... they are expensive, but if its not the issue, get two... u will see.and never look back... I'm kinda surprised we.are making any comparisons to koralia... I use the magnum 7's and can't imagine substituting a mp40 with a koralia 1400 and a maxijet, modded or not...

Expensive yes, but worth every last penny... well, if ur an sps nut that is lol... so I say two, but as far as I am concerned, 1 mp40 is better than 3 or even 4 koralia 1400s... good luck my friend...