How many powerheads and what size for circulation in a 215?

[Kevomac]

Maxijet seems to be the consensus powerhead brand for circulation. How many and what size should I be looking at for a 215 Oceanic RR?

[mfinn]

If you have a unlimited budget look at a Tunze, if not, you should look at the Seio powerheads. I would recomend 2 of the 1500's.

[Kevomac]

Wow. Thats a lot of water flow. It looks like you have experience, though. Where would you place them? Low in the tank, against the current from the two water returns?

[mfinn]

It sounds like alot of flow, but it is a different kind of flow.
Most powerheads have a very narrow stream coming out of them that will blast anything in it's direct path.
The seio's are designed to create a wide stream, that gets wider, the farther away from it you get.
You can also dial them down a little.
I had 2 in my 180 softy tank.
I placed mine on eack end of the tank pointing towards the middle, angled towards the front glass alittle.
I keep them mounted about 6 inches down from the top of the water or they seem to create little vortex's that spread air bubbles through out the tank.

[ridetheducati]

Not knowing your budget...

I would recommend two Tunze 6100's with controller.

I can not comment on the Seio's because they died on me, cant remember which model.

[Kevomac]

Wow, Tunze is way out of my reach. One site had the 6100's for $332 apiece! I have time to build this tnak slowly, and do not want to skimp on quality wher it makes a difference, but that seems very high! What makes the Tunzes so much better as to justify that price differential?

[mfinn]

The Tunze's are the best powerhead going. I don't think I've ever heard of a legitimate complaint about them.

As far as the Seio's, they may not be perfect, they are IMO worth what cost.
I have 2 that have been in 2 different tanks for just about 2 years.
I now have them on a controller and I think it's great.

[zemuron114]

Try a closed loop if tunze are out of reach. Although i highly recommend tunze. the flow the 6100s put out is amazing. i have a 6100 and a 6080 on a multicontroller. Also a seio 1500 and 2 maxi jet 1200s... i want to add another tunze to the controller as well.

in a 215 i would suggest a minimal of 10000 gph turnover. What do you plan on keeping?

[fancyfish]

tunze 6100 x2 with controller is my vote. I have a 180 with this and would not change this.

[ridetheducati]

Get the Tunze. Buy one at a time.

But remember to always pay yourself first.

[Kevomac]

The tunze is just so far out there in terms of price. I am planning on keeping softies and lps.

I've always heard the term closed loop, but honestly have no idea what it means.

[STEELERFAN747]

If not you could always purchase entry level Tunze's such as the 6060 (about $137-$140 ea. or 6080)

[mfinn]

You do not need Tunze powerheads, if you can not afford them.
Seio's will do just fine.
A closed loop is a pump that sucks tank water from a bulkhead fitting in the tank or can be plumbed over the top, and goes to one or more outlets in the tank. This creates flow that doesn't have to go through the drains/sump.

I have a Poseidon P-4 that is plumbed over the top and sits on the tank stand in back and goes to 2 sea-swirls.

[AVALover5498]

You could go the modded Maxi-Jet route. For around 50 bucks you can about 2,000 GPH. I think it's pretty good. And it's a really good dispersed flow.



-Chris-

[FishyBiz]

I think moded 1200 Maxi Jets are the way to go. I have two Seio 1500's in my 112 and they are not enough flow. My new 190 will have Tunze 6100's.

[scaryperson27]

Here is a site where you can get everything you need if you decide to go this route. http://www.mjmods.com/



Hydor is coming out with a new pump which i put an order for on this site.
http://www.fishkeepers.net/ageofaquariums/gc/getDetail.php?ID=353494
And they so far have been very responsive and alert to my order status. The pumps should be in their facility between mid to late January.
http://www.hydor.it/index_en.htm

[ridetheducati]

Yeah, if you cant afford the Tunze get a few Maxi 12's. This hobby is not that serious.

[Kevomac]

OK, the moded MJ deal sounds good, but how difficult is it to actually do the modification? I am not very good at DIY stuff. I am leaning toward multiple Seio's at this point. Maybe four to six for a 215? I could place them on the ends and spaced around the back behind the rockwork.

[blunoser]

i dont know, tunze and seio's are expensive, i have a 220 and i just have 3 maxi-jet 1200 on a wavemaker, have been running for 18 mos no problems. i have them on the back wall pointing to the front and slightly up to create the affect of a wave over the length of the reef, creates great movement and you get the reflection affect from the front wall, no direct stream from the pumps on the corals

[blunoser]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/104602mini-100_0414.jpg

[HDAlien]

Sorry but I have put in another vote for Tunze, particularly in that size tank. I'm running two 6100's on a 7095 controller on my 220 and am more than pleased!

[AllenFord_SC]

The mod to the maxi's is very simple. This would be the best route for you to go without sacrificing desired flow. Tunze's are way to overpriced, even though they are a wonderful product, they are just asking way to much for them. I would go with the maxi's if iI where you.

[barbra]

I have a Seio, and I like it just fine, the flow is strong but dispersed. I keep it on hand as a spare at this point because the Maxijet Mod is plenty. Tunze's are nice, but not necessary unless you have lots of extra cash on hand and the egotistical desire to list lots of designer names on your profile. :)

You don't need many skills to pull off the mod, I have seen someone who is not at all mechanically inclined do a fine job. It is cheaper to go the entire DIY route than to buy those overpriced kits they sell, though the kit is convenient.

Drs. Foster & Smith sell a Majijet powerhead/wave-timer kit at a discount price. You should be able to do the whole tank for about what it costs for 1 decent Tunze.

[Kevomac]

Where could I get info on how to do the maxijet mod? How exactly does the modification work to increase flow?

[AllenFord_SC]

www.mjmods.com

[Reet15]

For a tank that big, I would do a closed loop - then you don't have to see the power heads and you can hide the returns behind the rock work. Had power heads in my 75 and when i upgraded to a 90 put in the closed loop. LOVE IT!! JMO

[acrylic_300]

I went with MJ 1200s because I found them on sale for 16.50 ea. I only have two of them and an 1800 gph return pump. It keeps everything in the 300 gal tank moving with strategic placement.

It's less than 8x turnover and everything is fine, zoas, leathers, rics, mushrooms, gsp....various softies and fish.

MJ 1200s pump a little less than 300gph not modified.