Proper Powerhead sizing

[redrooster]

I have a 75 gal I am getting ready to set up. I am using a HOB skimmer, so I rely on powerheads for most of my flow. During the several years I had this set up before I was using 4 or 5 powerheads, but some were hand me downs so I am not sure how much total flow I had. I've bought a Seio 620 for a smaller tank and love how it works. I am going to by Seio's but want to get my flow from just 2 powerheads this time. I think I need 820's or 1100's. I'm leaning towards 2 820's or one of each. Any experience's or just opinions?? Thanks.

 

[gotfish]

What are you planning on keeping in it?

 

[Myteemouse]

I would do some MJ+mods if you want economical flow..

 

[redrooster]

A few LPS, frogspawn/hammer, and maybe a few Acroporas. Probably 2 or 3 fish.

Also I am fairly technically inept so I'm a little leary of modidfying anything. In like the sieos in my coral tanks due to the dispersed nature of the flow. Unless the mods accomplish that same effect on the maxijets??

 

[gotfish]

I'd probably go with 2 koralia 3's if you like the dispersed flow. A bit cheaper right out of the box and about a third of the power used over the long run. I've used a nano for over a year and also have 2 k 3's for my 75g. They are a great pump.

 

[redrooster]

I'll give those a look. Thanks.

 

[lizardarm]

I agree, a couple of K3s would probably do you good and there's no rework of any kind. The Maxijet mods are really super easy to do though; if you can take them out of the box, then you can figure these out. And yes, the Maxijet mod gives it a much broader flow pattern.

 

[redrooster]

Since you guys were nice enough to give advice I wanted to follow up on my choice.

Looked at, but didn't go with the Koralia's. Hear they are a great pump, but I hate the way they look.

Ended up going with 2 Seio Prop pumps 1000GPH. This is the 1st time I've seen ones that weren't the M series. I'm only using 1 as it alone produces more flow than I had with like 4 powerheads before. Literally food will circle for 5 minutes now and never touch the bottom. If anything it is underated in GPH, and it only uses 11 watts which is less than have what the similiar size M series used.

The best part is that it is held by a big magnet onto the tank which makes the mounting much cleaner as the M series has a huge bracket which is secured with 4 suction cups.


They were about $44 dollars each. I also tested by unplugging them while in use a few times to see how it restarted. It worked right and started quick every time. I've heard Seios sometimes have restart problems, but this didn't, but I still wouldn't use with a wavemaker just on reputation. So its seems cheap, aestetic, good dispersed flow, and we'll see about durability in a few years.

 

[gas4544]

I was going to suggest that make sure your powerheads are securely attached if you plan on having LPS like hammers or frogspawn. Years ago, I had some maxi-jets that were secured by suctions cups. The suction cups came loose, and the flow was directed right at a hammer coral. The flow damaged the hammer.

I see that you have magnetic mount pumps, so you ought to be okay. I'm glad that you found a good pump to use.

Gary

 

[sandswhitson]

Seios have had a BAD rep for shorting out and nuking your tank. I don't know about the newer ones but the older ones have nuked alot of tanks. One of my LFS just had hers burn up in her salt mixing bin. Hope the new ones are better.

 

[jhampton_wsu]

Seios have had a BAD rep for shorting out and nuking your tank. I don't know about the newer ones but the older ones have nuked alot of tanks. One of my LFS just had hers burn up in her salt mixing bin. Hope the new ones are better.

If I was a pump I wouldn't want to live in a salt mixing bin either. Keep us posted on the Seios and how you like them long term.