Flow opinions needed

[Ratpack]

I currently have a 75g BB tank with 4 Koralia 4's and a maxijet mod for flow. I am tired of all the powerheads in the tank. CL is out of the question, at least for now. What I was thinking of doing is getting a MP40W to replace the K4's. I know the total GPH is lower, but it is more controllable. I could even keep one if needed, but I want the rest out if possible. Do you think the MP40W and 1 K4 would be enough to keep things in suspension? One MP40W is all I can afford right now, so if that isn't enough, I may wait and deal with the K4's. Thoughts?

[scoop]

I don't have a vortech, so this is just an opinion, but I haven't seen any bb tanks w/ Vortechs yet, the people who keep writing about how they love them and the 'undertow' they create love that they don't cause a sandstorm. On a bb tank we want a lot of flow at the bottom, so the type of flow that doesn't create a sandstorm also doesn't seem like it would help. I'm also concerned about the inability to point them in a particular direction. Not sure how that would inhibit the ability the really direct the flow correctly. I have 3 K3's and a mj 1200 in my 75 and I do understand your issue. Instead of the vortech maybe 2 Tunze's w/ a controller? More ph's in the tank, but a lot more directional control?

[depitch]

An MP40 has a max flow rate 0f 5000 GPH, this equals the total of your 4 Korillia's.

I use the MP40 on my 125 Gallon acryllic tank, it is a FOWLR tank but the amount of flow keeps the detritus off the LR well.

For a reef tank why not try 2 MP20's?

HTH

Doug

[Ratpack]

I thought the MP40W had a max flow of 3200, at least that is what I keep reading.

Since I have the money to get the MP40W, I guess I can always keep a couple of the K4's to help with the flow, at least on the bottom.

[Geoff]

who makes the MP40w? have you thought about playing with eductors?

G~

[Ratpack]

Will look at them more in the next tank. To use them I would like to have a CL and since this tank ins't drilled, it would have to be over the top and a lot of work to put it in now.

[Fly Guy]

I dont think using a vortech as the only means of flow on any tank is all that great of an idea, especially just one of them on a smaller tank. I used a couple of them on my bigger tank until I replaced it and went with 1" acrylic and they simply wouldnt hold. But if they are the only powerheads you use there is simply not enough directional control for me. thats the huge flaw in the design and until they fix it, the tunze are simply superior, unless you mix in some tunze that you can control with them or a cls

that being said, if I was given the choice to how you have it already set up with directionally controllable koralias or the vortech.....no contest. Koralias for the win

[Ratpack]

Thanks, I actually agree. The more I thought about it, the less I liked the idea, especially the spending of $400+.

[theplatypus]

Originally Posted by depitch

An MP40 has a max flow rate 0f 5000 GPH, this equals the total of your 4 Korillia's.

I use the MP40 on my 125 Gallon acryllic tank, it is a FOWLR tank but the amount of flow keeps the detritus off the LR well.

For a reef tank why not try 2 MP20's?

HTH

Doug

Actually the MP40 has a max flow of 3,000 GPH , Koralia 4 is 1200 GPH.

[theplatypus]

Originally Posted by Geoff

who makes the MP40w? have you thought about playing with eductors?

G~

Ecotech Marine Vortech MP40

http://ecotechmarine.com/

[three90s&125sump]

Take the impeller out of the maxi and put it in a K4. I have 2 in my 55 gallon cooking tank and it is a lot of flow. A lot more than the maxi mod. Try it and maybe you can do 2 modded K4s.