About to buy some powerheads, and I would like some advice for a 55g.

[gregzz4]

2 is better than 1
One left and one right

Cross-flow with one master and one slave
This will give you the back and forth flow your tank needs
If it wasn't a 55g long, I may say different, but your long tank needs the flow of 2 pumps, regardless of what you buy

If you get Vortechs, make sure you get ones that are wireless if you want the true Eco versions aka MP10wES is wireless and EcoSmart

This will give you the full abilities to create all kinds of flow patterns ... love these pumps

If this was a 55g cube, you could get away with one MP40

[gregzz4]

Keep in mind, either of these pump brands can be turned down to near nothing flow, so either is good for almost any tank setup, but ....

Nobody said you had to make your mind up right now

If you don't want to spend the money on them right now, and just get your tank running, go buy some el-cheapo koralias and make your mind up later

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/hy...50+GPH%29.html

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/hy...50+GPH%29.html

[Xyres]

Haha... Alright thanks everyone. I have a lot of thinking to do now as I am thinking two MP10 wireless might be the way to go. I am going to go for now but I will be back later to ask more questions I am sure. Thanks everyone.

Sorry but after writing that I figured I would ask one last question, I am planning on just getting fish introduced first so do you think that it would be OK to get one mp10 and get another one later when I start adding coral? Thanks.

[gregzz4]

Sure, it would be fine, or some el-cheapo pump, or a Tunze, or whatever
Or one nice pump of your choice, and one cheapo for now .... whatever ...
Nobody said you had to decide on the pumps right now, did they ?

Small, cheap pumps will do the job, as long as you don't mind the look of them

They just don't create the random flow you'd like to have later in your reef ....

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Keep in mind, either of these pump brands can be turned down to near nothing flow, so either is good for almost any tank setup, but ....

The tunze that the op is considering are the non-adjustable ones.....


there are pros and cons for both brands......

the vortechs move massive amounts of water and not just the flow moving out of the pump, the create a substantial undertow as well........the programming is also far better than the tunzes...the low in tank profile is sweet too......the downsides to them are, you are limited to where you can place them in the tank as they are not point-able and the the "dryside" will limit you as well....the "wetsides" are the weak point and will likely at some point need replacing.....

tunzes move decent amounts of water, can be placed anywhere in the tank and the flow directed where you need it......when compared to the vortech, they are bulletproof.....the only downside to them is the in tank profile and the cord being in the tank.....

[Coralgurl]

I have an mp10 and 2 koralias on my 55 gl. I have not been successful with sps in this tank likely due to lighting more tank flow, but lps and softies do extremely well. The tank was started with 1 mp10 but this was not enough flow even when cranked up to full was getting no surface movement.

I can't say anything about the tunzes as I've never used them.

[mike31154]

I ran my 77 gal for almost a year with a single MP40 & added a second when finances allowed. Kept my eyes peeled for used 40s & now I have a third on the back pane of my 77 turned down to low flow. During the time I ran a single 40, I supplemented the flow with a canister filter & a couple of AquaClear powerheads that came with the tank when I purchased it used.

I haven't seen an MP10 in action, but my advice for a tank your size would be to go with a 40 initially instead of two 10s. The single 40 (along with a cheaper powerhead or two) will provide plenty of flow for a new tank & once it matures a little & you have the extra cash, the second MP40 will provide more flexibility & options down the road as far as livestock choices.

No clue about Tunze, never owned one or seen too many in action, but judging by info I've seen on various forums, they are a very good product.

[gregzz4]

I won't disagree with Mike's MP40 suggestion
Just make sure you can stomach the replacement parts costs

[Enigma]

Being that budget is a concern, I would recommend that you go with the Tunzes for now. Yes, the MP10s are nice (I have two of them in my 40B), but you don't need them. You can always upgrade down the road. You can count on spending $50 to $100 a gallon in setting up your tank.

At some point in time you may very well have another tank---quarantine, hospital, frag, etc---where the Tunzes would be useful if you replaced one (or both) with an MP10 down the road.