Ask Reefers #1: What's your favorite "in aquarium" pump for flow? October 2024

[14 foot reef]

Back in the day (15 years back) I ran a two Mag9.5's as a return and skimmer pump and Koralias in tank. With my next build, I'm gonna run Sicce Syncra 9.0 (x2) for returns, whatever comes with a RO Regal 200SSS Skimmer and Maxspect Gyres in tank. I'm basing my choices on research done independently. I have read that the Gyres CAN go sideways a tad easier than others, but I like the idea of both power and directional opportunities they afford.

These will be weekly to bi- weekly maintenance hogs as they loose a large percentage of their flow weekly. Depending on tank, you could easily loose 15% of their flow weekly.
I love my XF350's ( When they are Clean )

 

[LagoonReefLife]

I’ve been using Tunze pumps exclusively for my tanks. They are one of the best option in my opinion. They are very powerful, reliable, controllable, and fixable.

Pros
* Reliability (I never find them just not working)
* Controllability (via 0-10v)
* Maintainability (I can replace any part I need to)
* Strong (They move a lot of water)

Cons

* Wires in the display
* Could be easier to clean (I have to clean mine at the tank)

I have a 100 gallon peninsula display, and a 20 gallon cube display side by side.

In the 100 gallon I use:
* x2 TUNZE Turbelle Stream eco 6105 (793 to 3170 GPH)
* Two on either side of the back, used to push flow front to back, pulsing.
* x2 TUNZE Turbelle Nanostream 6055 Controllable (250-1450 GPH)

* Two on the the left and right side of the glass, a few inches from the back wall. Used to create flow directional changes, pulsing.

In the 20 gallon:
* 4x TUNZE Turbelle Nanostream 6040 (53 - 1,190 GPH)
* 2 on the left, 2 on the right, offset slightly to allow flow to reach the other side. Turbulent pump profiles.

 

[PharmrJohn]

These will be weekly to bi- weekly maintenance hogs as they loose a large percentage of their flow weekly. Depending on tank, you could easily loose 15% of their flow weekly.
I love my XF350's ( When they are Clean )

That is GOOD to know. Thank you. I'm also thinking Vortech. LOL, or maybe Koralias! I never had one fail in the 5 years I ran them. I'm not a big fan of constant maintenance, so I may have to rethink this choice......

 

[14 foot reef]

That is GOOD to know. Thank you. I'm also thinking Vortech. LOL, or maybe Koralias! I never had one fail in the 5 years I ran them. I'm not a big fan of constant maintenance, so I may have to rethink this choice......

Read through this thread, the majority of the mentions of Gyre are exactly the same, Love / Hate relationship because of the cleaning and loss of flow.
I do still love mine even though

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

Nero 5. Zero problems.

And which pump do I like?
Any that works.

 

[Sdbuehler1]

I am a big fan of the gyres. I have 2- 4k ice cap gyres with the hydros wave engine on my 100 gallon and Ive only had to clean them about once or twice a year. Cleaning them is easy though, the paddle wheels twist off easy and with a few scrubs with a tooth brush they are good as new. I was tempted to try the mp40s on my new 180 gallon build but the price is hard to swallow. On my 20 gallon cube I am running a Nero 3 which has been a workhorse. The AI software app is really easy to use.

 

[rtparty]

That is GOOD to know. Thank you. I'm also thinking Vortech. LOL, or maybe Koralias! I never had one fail in the 5 years I ran them. I'm not a big fan of constant maintenance, so I may have to rethink this choice......

All gyre pumps are maintenance nightmares. Not worth the hassle IMO

Tunze is the truly the best you can get IME

Koralias are gone. They had serious electrocution problems as well

 

[cooltowncorals]

I have 2.

Tunze wavebox, big movement for very power.

Sea swirl, awesome random wave generator