Lets talk Powerheads!

[specvjeff]

I would suggest 2 mp40's. They come with sticky pads that you can zip tie the cords to to help manage the cords. If it were my tank and money wasn't an issue I'd probably do 4 but since ur tank is flush against a wall, you can't do that.

You could also look at the wide flow Tunze pumps. Might give you broader flow.

Jeff Saurwein
SDMAS President
SDReefs Moderator
Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

[KorL]

Find a way to get (4) MP40's on there. I've had (2) MP40's on my 150 gallon before. Provided plenty of flow. I think you'll need 3-4 MP40's for a tank that size or maybe go with mp60(s)?

[specvjeff]

You could put one MP40 on the upper corner and one on the lower corner of each side. That should cover everything but it's not the most visually appealing.

Jeff Saurwein
SDMAS President
SDReefs Moderator
Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

[sbarber]

Ha! I need 'reef cred" from vortech! surely its not gonna come from actual coral growth.
But four of those mp40's could be grounds for divorce if my wife sees the invoice. I have two Korelia's on there now so I just ordered two mp40's and I'll do what Jeff said with the sticky pads and zip ties and do my best to hide the wires, like the picture that was posted.

[RussM]

For fixed-speed pumps which are far better than Koralias but still very affordable, take a look at the Sicce Voyagers. They are quiet and wavemaker-safe.

[Bogg]

I have a 1hp whisper flo put that on a closed loop 4 moceans and call it done
Seriously but with a tank that size you might want a closed loop also

[h20poloman]

For big flow in that 8'L tank of your Scott you most likely need 2 MP60's if you want to go with Ecotech or I'd confirm what other guys said about needing 4. Cleaner look without all the cords would have been drilled for closed loop and used a stronger pump in your garage - I'll most likely have my water blaster 12500 for sale soon as it's too much for my 248g. I was an early adopter of ecotech and had too many issues for the price so I've been a converted Tunze guy for probably the past 5 years now. I'm running 2 6105's and 2 6095's on the back for my SPS dominant 248g. I also have a wavebox if you want to test it out in your tank

[sbarber]

A closed loop would be great and its one of those things I would do differently next time.

For now I'm gonna look at changing my return pump to add flow and bump up the internal water movement with the PH's.

But holy moly Marlin, 2 mp60's would have me sleeping out in the yard for a while! I'll try the 40's out for now and if it doesn't look like enough I'll upgrade. I got to experiment with how to hide the wires.

Let me know about the pump. I am definitely looking for one.

[specvjeff]

Time to cut the wall out behind the tank!

[socal619]

For the money your spending why not try a wp40, if your already worried about the price.

[SDguy]

2 MP40's won't be enough on a 300. Definitely need the 60's. Also consider mixing vortechs and tunzes. Depending on application, one might be better suited than another. You don't have to only pick one or the other, like some fanboy

[sbarber]

Ha! fanboy totally! I need it to match. I am still hoping the fish can enjoy the water column. I'm worried about dropping money on mp60's and having to turn them down.
I also two other PH's inside placed against the overflow box, I could crank those up too.

How much turnover should I be looking for? Is there is magic number for internal GPH to avoid stuff like Cyano? I understand the return pump and passing water through the sump but what about internally?

In general, I prefer fish and consider corals an important accessory (maybe thats Blasphemy I know). Does that change my target flow rate?

2 MP40's won't be enough on a 300. Definitely need the 60's. Also consider mixing vortechs and tunzes. Depending on application, one might be better suited than another. You don't have to only pick one or the other, like some fanboy

[h20poloman]

How much turnover should I be looking for? Is there is magic number for internal GPH to avoid stuff like Cyano? I understand the return pump and passing water through the sump but what about internally? The recommendations can really swing dependent on your coral and fish needs. Some fish really like turbulent flow (quite a few tangs for example) and SPS corals can typically take on a large amount (some guys have 50x turnover). Cyano is more a problem due to phosphates (overfeeding can lead to being a big culprit) then lower flow. I haven't even figured out what mine is in my current tank but it's going to be up there - probably 30-40x but I've also had success with fish and corals in the 10-15x turnover range.

In general, I prefer fish and consider corals an important accessory (maybe thats Blasphemy I know). Does that change my target flow rate?[/QU Research the fish's natural environment conditions to know what they prefer - I'd say this is an area often overlooked by hobbyists

[SDguy]

I wouldn't do less than 25X in a FO or less than 50X in a reef. I have never ever heard of too much flow in a tank. Too much of the wrong flow (ie a powerhead shooting directly onto a LPS and peeling it off the skeleton), sure. Otherwise, broad flow devices like Tunze and vortech? Nope.

IMO closed loops are great except for the cost... the electricity to feed a proper closed loop to achieve the same turnover as propeller based powerheads is incomparable. (I've done both, I know.) If they aesthetics are important enough to you to pay the extra monthly electricity cost, then it's a good way to go.

[specvjeff]

The MP40's are pretty powerful pumps. Like I said before, in an ideal world I'd do 4 but you can't. I would mix it up a little with Koralias, Tunze's or Oceanstreams. I forgot to ask Scott but what type of corals are you keeping or planning on keepin?