Power head selection

[fishnerd1]

Well I've settled on a 245g system and am starting to investigate powerhead options for DT circulation. I see 3 main options out there being used not sure which are better. Looking at buying 2 to start supplementing my Iwaki sump pump, about 900g/hr return to DT. Listed for most to least expensive are:

Vortech MP40W ES - individual controller for each unit, highest overall price, battery back-up available

Tunze 6105 with either 7095 or 7096 controller. Difficult to understand the significant difference in the controllers other than the premium price on the 7095.

Karalia 7 with dual or quad controller. Lower cost option but what's the catch. Nothing in this hobby is cheap so why are these priced so much lower than the above?

Don't want to buy junk for junk or waste money on 'premium' if not warranted. Don't want to just pay for a name if you know what I mean. Building this sized system from scratch is going to be expensive and funds aren't unlimited.

Need some good expert advice.

[lacosta28]

I can't comment on the second two as I have never owned them. I have the MP40w es with battery backup on my 90g and I love it. It does a great job and there aren't any dead spots in my tank. However, I do want to buy another one for their ability to sync to one another.

It is supposedly rated up to 500 gallons but I am not sure if 1 would do it for you in that size of tank. You may want to get 2 or look at the mp60. The vortech's are pretty expensive but they have a lot of quality and options built into them. The mp40 is probably my favorite thing in my tank. I get hours of entertainment messing around with it.

Also, if you are looking for a descent pump at a really cheap price look into the Maxxi Jet pumps. You could also use a few of these with an mp40 if you choose to go that route.

[Korrine]

I have read the Sunsun's are good and cheap on other forum's. Maybe someone can chime in here?

[reefermad619]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see spending upwards of $400 for a powerhead. Maybe it's because I've got other expensive hobbies (building classic Chevys, quads, dirbikes). I use koralias and have been pretty happy with them. The new evos can be controlled by a wavemaker too. Just my .02

[zenpytho]

i to am just fine with my koralias but i dont have no controlling options

[Korrine]

I will say that I LOVE my vortech mp10

Yes it's expensive, but it has so many modes and options on it with great flow. Kind of like my old Game boy. So many games(or in this case, modes) to try!

[aquamn1999]

I have (2) mp40's and (2) tunze on my tank. They both have their +'s & -'s. The tunze will be quieter than the mp40, I'm not saying the mp 40 is loud. They’re pretty quiet. The battery backup you can do with both, but it is an easier plug and play with the mp40. Mp40 comes w/ the controller. Tunze you need to buy a separate controller. Both companies have great customer service.

[RcToners]

Originally Posted by fishnerd1

Tunze 6105 with either 7095 or 7096 controller. Difficult to understand the significant difference in the controllers other than the premium price on the 7095.

I have Tunze 6105s with the 7096 controller. I prefer the 7096 controller over the 7095. You can connect it via USB to your computer to set the pumps and it has the ability of a storm mode and night light amongst other things.

As far as the 6105s go, theyre STRONG.. and I love them! I have 2 of them at 40% in my 150 and thats pushing it. Great quality and great customer service. One of my pumps had the old mounting bracket that vibrated a bit because it didnt have the shocks and I called them and they sent me the new bracket with shocks at no cost.

The new(er) shocks on the pumps make them very quiet. I cant even hear them.

[koby325]

MP40w es!! best powerhead ever I wont buy anything else

[Omega_rains]

Ecotech - Vortech you will not regret the investment!

[WhoDey64]

I have 2 controllable tunze 6055 and two 6025, cant say that they have really blown me away. Not a bad product running off the 7096 controller but not a wide enough flow to suit me. Maybe on a bigger tank it might be fine.

Something to google, Koralia is releasing a cheap wave controller for the newer generation of pumps. I am sure you can find the info on the web, the only website I know with the info is blocked from hyper-links on RC.

[busterr]

I have two hydro evo. 1400 that can be hooked up to a wavemaker when I upgrade to my 150 I am getting two more they are quite and push a lot of water you can get them from premium aquatics about $50.00 apice

[Lynnmw1208]

I have 2 koralia evo 1400s as well. I like them a lot so far. I don't have anything controlling them yet, but I'll get an apex controller eventually and probably 2 more of these as I like them so much. I can't get myself to spend $400 on one powerhead when the koralias are $50

[socalsalttank]

I prefer Tunze as they're quiet and reliable

[fishnerd1]

So from what it sounds like you get a premium capability from the Vortech at a premium price. With the initial investment on this build, being my first, the advise of the Evolution's might fit the short term need to get me up and running and save the Vortech for a future wish list.

Thanks for all the great input.

[subisti]

Is it true the vortech wave mode can break the seals on the glass??

[dadbehj]

Originally Posted by lacosta28

I can't comment on the second two as I have never owned them. I have the MP40w es with battery backup on my 90g and I love it. It does a great job and there aren't any dead spots in my tank. However, I do want to buy another one for their ability to sync to one another.

It is supposedly rated up to 500 gallons but I am not sure if 1 would do it for you in that size of tank. You may want to get 2 or look at the mp60. The vortech's are pretty expensive but they have a lot of quality and options built into them. The mp40 is probably my favorite thing in my tank. I get hours of entertainment messing around with it.

Also, if you are looking for a descent pump at a really cheap price look into the Maxxi Jet pumps. You could also use a few of these with an mp40 if you choose to go that route.

maxi jet pumps are good but the housing is made cheap. i have put barb fittings on them and you have to be careful if you tighten even a little bit too much, you will end up cracking them. i would go with the supreme classic mag drive, they are on sale right now at fosterandsmith i just bought the 1800

[Bama Man]

I had three maxijets in my DT for 4 years. They just don't move enough water IMO. I just got two hydor koralia evolution 1050 gph and replaced the 3 maxijets. I am really impressed with the increased and wider flow they provide. As stated above you can put them on a wavemaker. I shopped around online for the best prices and I found the best prices at petmountain.
I'm kinda like you my funds are limited and I couldn't see spending several hundred on powerheads. I think I paid like $36.00 each and they were a good bit higher at all the other sites. They have all the different sizes as well. Good luck on your decision and with your tank.