Help with flow on a 57g

Atomic081 · 05/05/2011, 10:03 PM

Im trying to pick out how to get the best flow for my 57g (36 x 18 x 20). Im wanting this tank to be able to keep mostly SPS with a few LPS mixed in. Also as with most people, money is a major issue. Im going to be running everything off a Reef keeper Lite but after a bit of research I have found that the RKL function as a wave maker is lacking. So unless someone has a great suggestion to help with the RKL wave maker, im going to stick with a steady flow. Here are my options as of now.

2x Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 (1050 gph x2): $80.00
Pros: Inexpensive, Controllable
Cons: Bulky, reliability

2x Tunze Turbelle Nano Stream 6045 (1200 gph x2): $160.00
Pros: Small, quite, reliability
Cons: Non Controllable, Kinda expensive

2x VorTech MP10 ES (1575 gph x2): $420.00
Pros: Small, controllable
Cons: EXPENSIVE

I dont know if any of these are enough flow. I know i want 2 power heads no matter what. Im leaning towards the Tunze. Ive heard i could get the Tunze 6025 and mod it to be as good or better than the 6045. As of this point I cant justify spending the extra 300ish dollars on the MP10s. It just seems like way to much money.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Saltwatercoral2 · 05/05/2011, 10:21 PM

I say the 2 mp10's, but get the mp10wes version and sync them up. This is my plan on the same size tank you got!.

Atomic081 · 05/06/2011, 05:25 AM

I have heard people say that 2 mp10s might not be enough. any thoughts on this?

Zebodog · 05/06/2011, 05:48 AM

I have a 65; similar dimensions only 4" taller.

For flow, I use 1 MP40 and 1MP10. Using this combination, I still have room to spare as growth continues.

A lot will depend on the amount of rock in the tank and the aquascape. Two MP10's could easily handle a minimalist setup even as things start to grow in. If you have a lot of rock, the MP10's would suffice in the early stages but as an SPS-dominated, they may struggle as the tank really grows in.

Saltwatercoral2 · 05/06/2011, 11:17 AM

I have seen a single mp10wes make a pretty good wave in a 75 galllon tank, 2 will be perfect for yours

pblogic · 05/06/2011, 02:56 PM

2x mp10..... far superior to the other options. You'll find yourself regretting if you don't.... you'll end up adding infeior wavemakers to your powerheads and a lot of headache when you could just go with the superior mp10's and have the closest thing to natural flow as possible.

Patrick Cox · 05/06/2011, 07:57 PM

It only hurts once when you buy the best!

05/05/2011, 10:03 PM	#1
Atomic081 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rushville, IN Posts: 476	Help with flow on a 57g Im trying to pick out how to get the best flow for my 57g (36 x 18 x 20). Im wanting this tank to be able to keep mostly SPS with a few LPS mixed in. Also as with most people, money is a major issue. Im going to be running everything off a Reef keeper Lite but after a bit of research I have found that the RKL function as a wave maker is lacking. So unless someone has a great suggestion to help with the RKL wave maker, im going to stick with a steady flow. Here are my options as of now. 2x Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 (1050 gph x2): $80.00 Pros: Inexpensive, Controllable Cons: Bulky, reliability 2x Tunze Turbelle Nano Stream 6045 (1200 gph x2): $160.00 Pros: Small, quite, reliability Cons: Non Controllable, Kinda expensive 2x VorTech MP10 ES (1575 gph x2): $420.00 Pros: Small, controllable Cons: EXPENSIVE I dont know if any of these are enough flow. I know i want 2 power heads no matter what. Im leaning towards the Tunze. Ive heard i could get the Tunze 6025 and mod it to be as good or better than the 6045. As of this point I cant justify spending the extra 300ish dollars on the MP10s. It just seems like way to much money. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

05/06/2011, 05:48 AM	#4
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	I have a 65; similar dimensions only 4" taller. For flow, I use 1 MP40 and 1MP10. Using this combination, I still have room to spare as growth continues. A lot will depend on the amount of rock in the tank and the aquascape. Two MP10's could easily handle a minimalist setup even as things start to grow in. If you have a lot of rock, the MP10's would suffice in the early stages but as an SPS-dominated, they may struggle as the tank really grows in. __________________ We don't inherit the world from our parents.... We borrow it from our children.

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05/05/2011, 10:21 PM	#2
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	I say the 2 mp10's, but get the mp10wes version and sync them up. This is my plan on the same size tank you got!.

05/06/2011, 05:25 AM	#3
Atomic081 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rushville, IN Posts: 476	I have heard people say that 2 mp10s might not be enough. any thoughts on this?

05/06/2011, 11:17 AM	#5
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	I have seen a single mp10wes make a pretty good wave in a 75 galllon tank, 2 will be perfect for yours

05/06/2011, 02:56 PM	#6
pblogic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 157	2x mp10..... far superior to the other options. You'll find yourself regretting if you don't.... you'll end up adding infeior wavemakers to your powerheads and a lot of headache when you could just go with the superior mp10's and have the closest thing to natural flow as possible.

05/06/2011, 07:57 PM	#7
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	It only hurts once when you buy the best!