Strongest Powerhead

[johnny]

What is the strongest powerhead? I've got the maxijet1200s but is there something that pushes more than 295gph? I suppose the next step would be a mag5, but it's kinda large.

Nick

[simonh]

Tunze, Gemini both push around 1000 gph. You may want to checkout this thread:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=20352

[johnny]

simonh,

Thanks that was perfect!

Nick

[endymion]

I have a Tunze 600GHP power head. Well worth the money ($200). It is DC so if pulses etc. see other thread. I will get more when I upgrade to a 120 - 180 tank with the wave maker.

you can find them at my LFS online at

http://www.aquatekfish.com

[johnny]

Only thing is ... for $200... why not just pop a mag7 on a closed loop inside your hood and run the piping into the tank?

Nick

[chewie]

The Hagen 802 pumps 400 gph, and 175 gph in reverse. I've had one for about 3 years no problems. It is alot bulkier than the maxi-jet though.

[dendronepthya]

The Gemini pumps absolutely destroy when it comes to flow. Like simonh said, they push close to 1000 GPH(960 listed), and their flow can be easily felt from the opposite end of a 6' tank.

[BradR]

How much noise do the Gemini's make at startup?
I'm planning a 3x3x10-12' SPS tank and hoped these would be enough, maybe 4 on each end. Was considering an Ampmaster with one of those gadgets that controls flow to 2 pipes by rotating around sinusoidly but can't find the site anymore. (Sea Swirls sure are pricy.)
Anyway, thanks for any info you can provide.
Brad

[Edited by BradR on 05-22-2001 at 12:10 PM]

[dendronepthya]

Brad,

For your application, I would go with 1" sea swirls, but that's just me.

Gemini pumps can be mounted onto acrylic tanks. They are designed to mount into corners though. I am not particularly impressed with their mounting brace. I am tempted to just build my own. The pump itself is rather heavy and formidible, while the brace is a little plastic ring that you clamp into the corner of your tank. Scary.

Anyhow, they are extraordinarily strong pumps, and four on each side may be overkill. They send a wide column of water towards the other end.

As far as noise, they are nearly silent, especially upon startup. I have one noisy one that I am going to return(I am convinced there is something wrong with it), but my other one has to be seen spinning to tell it is on. It makes a little humming noise when it is on, but if you weren't looking at it directly, it would be difficult to tell if it was on just by listening. It is a direct drive motor, so you would never hear that *clickity*clack* sound like when a magnetic drive pump comes on.

[endymion]

johnny ~

Because you do not get the ability to have a variable speed DC motor that can ramp up and down from 30% to 100%. Tunze uses DC motors not AC that allows this.

With a few of these and the controller you can get all types of tide or surge etc effects. Other controllers just turn a power head of and on.