Figuring out powerheads

Barro777 · 12/23/2011, 10:03 AM

Greetings folks,

I am trying to figure out the powerheads for my first ever system and I need help (preferably expressed in layman's terms).

In a different thread, I was told that for my 40-g breeder, powerheads around 10-20x would be a good start. I was going to use three (3) powerheads, one directed along the back wall behind the rockwork, the other two (2) on two opposite sides pointed center-up and kinda overlapping each other.

Please offer your opinions as to what brand name & size powerheads you'd recommend. TIA

reeftivo · 12/23/2011, 10:43 AM

That would work well. You could get away with two but three is fine if you don't mind the extra equipment on the glass. Koralias and JBJ ocean streams are the most affordable. The JBJ ocean stream units have some really good reviews and are controllable with their small wave maker unit and you really can't beat the price.

check out the 1600 gph JBJs. You could alternate two of them off the sides and pick up either a single koralia nano or jbj for the flow to the back.

Ron Reefman · 12/23/2011, 11:22 AM

I used 3 Maxi jets much in the same way you discribe in my 1st 30g set-up. I used a RedSea wavemaker to control them. It worked really well for a small tank. RedSea wave makers sell new for $150, but I see them once in a while for sale used for $75 or less.

UCT · 12/23/2011, 01:43 PM

I have a 40B and have both JBJ and Koralias. The Koralias is quieter in my opinion.

Barro777 · 12/23/2011, 02:12 PM

So. How do I interpret the 10-20x requirement? That my circulation should be 40 x 10 or 20 = anywhere between 400 - 800 GPH? Is that what each of the three powerheads should be? Or is this what they should make between the three of them (i.e. 800 / 3 = approx. 260 GPH each)?

And while we're at it. The wavemaker. Is that a necessity or a nice to have?

Ron Reefman · 12/23/2011, 06:44 PM

The 10x or 20x or even 30x turnover or flow, is the total you want. If you don't have a wave maker, keep the total in the flow of the pumps in the range you want. If you get a wave maker then each powerhead could be a little bigger because most of the time only 2 will be on at any one time. Wave makers do help in a variety of ways, for example, they make water flow in a more random way thru the tank and that can really help avoid dead spots where cyano bacteria blooms start!

Barro777 · 12/23/2011, 09:30 PM

Thank you, Ron. I checked out the Red Sea, and I really like that idea. Affordable, yet seems to be very capable piece of hardware.

DrBegalke · 12/23/2011, 09:30 PM

I'd use 3 hydor evolution 750s. Possibly 2 750's and 1 1050 at the back.

Barro777 · 12/23/2011, 09:39 PM

DrBegalke, aren't those too big (in terms of flow rates) for a tank this small? On second thought... that makes it 20x when alternated by a wavemaker, right?

12/23/2011, 10:03 AM	#1
Barro777 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 173	Figuring out powerheads Greetings folks, I am trying to figure out the powerheads for my first ever system and I need help (preferably expressed in layman's terms). In a different thread, I was told that for my 40-g breeder, powerheads around 10-20x would be a good start. I was going to use three (3) powerheads, one directed along the back wall behind the rockwork, the other two (2) on two opposite sides pointed center-up and kinda overlapping each other. Please offer your opinions as to what brand name & size powerheads you'd recommend. TIA

12/23/2011, 10:43 AM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	That would work well. You could get away with two but three is fine if you don't mind the extra equipment on the glass. Koralias and JBJ ocean streams are the most affordable. The JBJ ocean stream units have some really good reviews and are controllable with their small wave maker unit and you really can't beat the price. check out the 1600 gph JBJs. You could alternate two of them off the sides and pick up either a single koralia nano or jbj for the flow to the back. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

12/23/2011, 11:22 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I used 3 Maxi jets much in the same way you discribe in my 1st 30g set-up. I used a RedSea wavemaker to control them. It worked really well for a small tank. RedSea wave makers sell new for $150, but I see them once in a while for sale used for $75 or less. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

12/23/2011, 06:44 PM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The 10x or 20x or even 30x turnover or flow, is the total you want. If you don't have a wave maker, keep the total in the flow of the pumps in the range you want. If you get a wave maker then each powerhead could be a little bigger because most of the time only 2 will be on at any one time. Wave makers do help in a variety of ways, for example, they make water flow in a more random way thru the tank and that can really help avoid dead spots where cyano bacteria blooms start! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

12/23/2011, 09:30 PM	#8
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	I'd use 3 hydor evolution 750s. Possibly 2 750's and 1 1050 at the back. __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

12/23/2011, 01:43 PM	#4
UCT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: 90720 Posts: 142	I have a 40B and have both JBJ and Koralias. The Koralias is quieter in my opinion.

12/23/2011, 02:12 PM	#5
Barro777 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 173	So. How do I interpret the 10-20x requirement? That my circulation should be 40 x 10 or 20 = anywhere between 400 - 800 GPH? Is that what each of the three powerheads should be? Or is this what they should make between the three of them (i.e. 800 / 3 = approx. 260 GPH each)? And while we're at it. The wavemaker. Is that a necessity or a nice to have?

12/23/2011, 09:39 PM	#9
Barro777 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 173	DrBegalke, aren't those too big (in terms of flow rates) for a tank this small? On second thought... that makes it 20x when alternated by a wavemaker, right? Last edited by Barro777; 12/23/2011 at 09:45 PM.

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