How to choose powerheads and get flow right the first time. Saltwater Aquarium Flow

Your saltwater tank needs water movement, but which powerhead do you need for your aquarium? Are DC pumps better than AC pumps? How much flow do you need for a saltwater tank? Here's your 5-Minute Guide to aquarium pumps and powerheads!
The fun begins! Follow along while we setup two different types of saltwater tanks that you can do right along with us. Here's your guide to setup a 40gal reef tank or 45gal All-In-One saltwater aquarium.
You can find all of these episodes HERE! : brs.li/5min_Saltwater_Guide
Check us out! : www.bulkreefsupply.com/
Legal Stuff
The content contained in this video is general information on the topic and should not be relied upon as your sole source of information or safety advice for this project or topic. Each product or situation is different and has its own concerns related to successful completion and safety that must be fully researched by the individual considering the project or product.
The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@eddiepelikan5985]

Wow! I ordered from your website for the first time just last week. I'm setting up my first tank in 8 years and a lot has changed. I wanted a wavemaker and was overwhelmed with choices. I came to KZbin for reviews and didn't even realize I was watching your channel! Leaning toward the MP10 because my tank will be 4 feet away from me for half the day. Volume and aesthetics is extra important.

[@mattgraybill1537]

Hey Ryan, I watched about a dozen of your videos and was very impressed! As a new reefer, thanks for the info.

[@BRStv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@truthspeaks6557]

BRS the go too for anything reef!

[@cmaquatics7428]

as always great information and entertaining!

[@estrangeibanez3051]

I just ordered my dry rocks and cement. I'll be taking my time to build my very 1st reef!

[@ohno316]

How's the tank? My tank is 3 months old now with 4 fish,no corals yet

[@ronaldkasteel3459]

dont even have a saltwater aquarium but cant look away how u guys are presenting it 5 stars everytime !

[@nv7620]

Thanks for these videos. I really appreciate the time you guys took to explain things to a new reefer like me. Also, what kind of fish is that behind the clown at 1:37?

[@gabesreef]

I really like the 1k gyre for my 40 breeder

[@MrThereeferspecialis]

I am looking for two 100 gallon per hour powerheads for a 13 gallon Nana reef tank and cannot find any small pumps anywhere can you recommend something thank you love your videos

[@trevor19qhshe]

When your in a bacterial bloom, you can see the flow patterns more visibly and you can adjust your flow more precisely.

[@patrickbuie3892]

I have read in places where the Hydor Korilia has created AC current in the tanks and electrocuted fish. Is the any substance to these reports.

[@jasonsylvander3089]

Best place for a single head in a cobalt all in 1, 45 gal ?

[@dannyhoogenboom885]

Doesnt 2 wavemakers move the substrate all around ?

[@jacklawer6389]

How many power heads would I need in a 29 gallon tank 17h x 23 w x 17 L Appreciate the help

[@bradnadeau2789]

hey there... I have a fluval 13.5 and two Koralia Nano Flow Pumps (240 gph) - looking for placement suggestion. I have the two returns pointing at the surface... right now I have these both on the back wall towards the end, pointing at the front glass... Can't put on on the filter compartment side and would prefer not to on the opposite end for aesthetics... Will they do the job blowing off the front glass?

[@BRStv]

That should work just fine, depending on your rock work. Your best way to determine if your flow pattern is adequate is to look at the corals and see how the flow is moving them. You want the corals to be visually moving, but you don't want the flesh to be pushed up against the skeleton.

[@user-wm2sc6rz4l]

What hang on back filter would you recommend for the 40 breeder

[@BRStv]

If looking for a mechanical filter the one below would work well for this! www.bulkreefsupply.com/liberty-200-hob-power-filter-eheim.html

[@jonathansanchezmhs]

I have a 1800 power head and another one that’s 200gph on a 40g reef tank. The blowfish seem so have a hard time moving freely around what should I change ?

[@BRStv]

Sounds like you need to either turn the power heads down (if they're controllable) or purchase smaller ones if the fish are struggling in the flow.

[@gabegoodyke6862]

i’m having a problem where the flow is pushing my sand up and making weird mountains of sand and it fogs up my aquarium

[@jennanation6992]

My lfs said one pump should b in front and the other on back to create the right type of flow . Do you suggest putting them the same height ? If so what height? is midway up good? I always had them high to create a current on top for oxygenation but then there is no flow on bottom for my lobos and wellsi, scoly. Do those sand bottom corals need much flow? I also have redish sand and heard that means not enough flow on bottom! It almost seems I need 3 but afraid that would be to much for a 36 gallon!

[@BRStv]

Hard to say in every case as the rock work, types of corals being kept, flow rate of powerhead, type of flow coming out of the powerhead, etc will all impact powerhead placement as well as the number of powerheads needed for the job.

[@CarnagePlaysOfficial]

My question is, I just bought a 50 gallon and want to know if I should get one mp40 or 2 mp10s. I have had a lot of people say one mp40 because of the versatility and room for me to upgrade tanks later. What are your honest thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[@BRStv]

Two MP10s would be a better fit for the average 50 gallon system so that all of your flow isn't coming from one pump. This will allow you to hit some more targeted areas and reduce dead spots. Just keep in mind that the MP10's have a max glass thickness of 0.375"

[@JavyGwaltney3]

Hey guys, the MP10's are rated for a max tank thickness of .375 inches. The Red Sea Max E 170 has .50 inch glass and according to ecotech would require the MP40 which I broke the bank and purchased 2 for my E 170. I have them set on the lowest possible lagoon setting right now and still wondering if its to much flow for lps. Will the MP10's work for this application?

[@BRStv]

All of our MAX E170 tanks in the BRS Lab have MP10s on them and we haven't had an issue with any of them yet. Since you already have the MP40s, I think the lowest setting should be just fine. :)

[@JavyGwaltney3]

@@BRStv Thanks Guys! The Dream Tank for me is a 6 foot 150-180ish gallon tank, so if my wife ever buys into that I'm off to a good start!

[@taxus812]

Thanks I was just going to ask the same question. I have some on my shopping list.

[@PicoLatrinidad]

After 1 year of failure, I realize 2 mp40s on a 130.4 gal 48" long tank is too much flow. Even the lowest setting is too much.

[@livingwithgeorge5854]

You might’ve mentioned this is the video, but my tank already comes with a recirculation pump, do I still need a flow machine?

[@BRStv]

It will depend on the types of animals that you plan to keep and your rock work. In almost all cases, there is value to having an additional powerhead in the display tank to hit specific dead spots and to increase flow.

[@bluerider0988]

On the Red Sea could you get away with 1 power head and create the turbulent flow mixing with the filtration return pump? Thanks again for the video. They are great.

[@BRStv]

For softies and LPS, you could get away with it. I would consider a gyre pump as they have a flow pattern that would best suit these goals. The IceCap 2K, for example, would be worth looking into.

[@bluerider0988]

@@BRStv I am really trying hard to go with no cords in the tank. I am actually building a Waterbox 60.2 which is 24 x 20 x 20. I am wanting to run a Vectra return pump and was thinking a single MP40 on the back wall. The tank is not very large and I am having a hard time with spending the money for 2 MP10's. Do you think this setup would work or is the MP40 going to be too strong?

[@bluerider0988]

Another question. Any issues with the mp10 on the e170? According to red sea the glass is 12mm thick, but the mp10 is only rated for 9.5mm glass. Just want to make sure I don't have any issues. Thanks again. This series had been a good knowledge builder.

[@nicholascole161]

Do you always need two powerheads facing each other? What about in a 10 gallon? I was thinking of just purchasing 1 mp10.

[@BRStv]

It's going to be very dependent on tank size and dimension. For a 10 gallon, a single MP10 will be just fine

[@greggreen9173]

So curious what's a decent power head option to just have 1 and tank size is 120 drilled corner drilled 4x24x24

[@BRStv]

If you told me that I could only have one power head in a standard 120 gallon, my pick would undoubtedly be the Tunze 6095. It has a strong, but wide flow pattern, so it'll be able to give you the most bang for your buck. Plus, it's controllable, so you'll have flexibility over how intense the flow is. www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-turbelle-nanostream-6095-controllable.html

[@yll1811]

I have 2 of the 1350’s in my 120 gallon 4x2x2. It doesn’t seem like very much flow. Is that enough for a LPS dominant tank? Just want to make sure I’m getting enough. Thanks BRS.

[@BRStv]

The Hydor pumps have a pretty wide flow pattern, so it may not visually look like as much flow as you'd want. The best way to judge flow in an LPS system is to provide the corals with enough flow that you can see their tissue moving, but not so much that it's pressed against the coral skeleton.

[@yll1811]

@@BRStv awesome thank you. I appreciate it.

[@MrThereeferspecialis]

I am setting up a 10 gallon reef tank can you tell me those anybody make a powerhead that moves 100 gallons per hour for flow thank you by the way I love your videos

[@BRStv]

Unfortunately, we don't have anything quite that small. Some of the DC controllable pumps can get pretty low, however. The Tunze 6040, for example, can get all the way down to 53 GPH www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-turbelle-nanostream-6040.html

[@LucianoDiPiazza4903]

2 1350 gph pumps plus the filter is like 70x turn over rate. Is that super high?

[@Firefenex1996]

My question exactly. I have started a mixed reef where my hammer and frogspawn love little to no flow but I just purchased montipora and a torch which love high flow. I dont want to sacrifice 1 of the other either.

[@immortalhybrid7570]

How many vortech mp40 pumps do I need for a 180 gallon Red Sea Tank

[@BRStv]

We use 4x MP40s and 2x MP60s on our Red Sea 750XXL (750L/~200gal)

[@mariaorr429]

So I would take this out of the tank to mix salt and then put it back in?? Or do I need a separate one?

[@BRStv]

Most reefers will have a separate pump to mix their saltwater. This way, their tank's flow is not interrupted. For your mixing pump, you don't have to spend a ton. Just a basic powerhead will work 😃

[@PREST0Ns]

Why do you put powerheads on opposite side in identical position. Is it better to put one in front of the rock work, and one behind rock work? If you only have two.

[@dontreply8346]

Preston when the flows meet it creates some random turbulence, which is somewhat better than singular flow. I think BRS said in another video to also aim at the rock work if you have an extra.

[@Arizona9001]

Lex Luxon thanks for the explanation

[@JeSSTeR81]

So feels more vague than I got info from..... I only have a 10g so how can I create the turbulent flow easily without the circulating flow feel I have now....it seems to just circulate in front and the around back?? Plus these heads can be so expensive...

[@GoTips]

With the heads being so high and pointed at each other what about the sandbed? Like how do you keep it "moving" so algea doesnt grow on it?

[@BRStv]

The sand bed doesn't necessarily need to move. With proper nutrient control, you shouldn't have any algae growing on your send bed, even if it is perfectly still.

[@GoTips]

@@BRStv the only place i really have some growing is some on my powerhead and some on the backwall

[@Bunkley99SSM]

What size should i use for an 8 foot long tank?

[@Arizona9001]

Brandon Bunkley woah 8ft long?! Pleas post a video of it

[@Bunkley99SSM]

Benjamin K can’t post a picture in the reply.

[@RICHFD24]

Ok so where on the tank do you put the powerhead I got a 55 gallon saltwater tank

[@BRStv]

Generally speaking, we like to put powerheads on the two ends of the tank pointing towards the opposite side of the tank. This gives us nice, even flow without blasting corals directly.

[@marcosambriz2922]

Would 2 power heads be over kill on a 20 gallon peninsula?

[@BRStv]

Not necessarily. If they're two smaller powerheads, this is a great way to introduce varied flow to the system and give you options on how the exact direction of the flow.

[@jacbuc1]

How should the flow be at night when the fish are sleep? Low? Very low?

[@BRStv]

This is debated, but most reefers will not change flow patterns from day to night.

[@josephcingrana3295]

Someone please tell me how to get rid of red algae. I've tried everything. Lighting, flow, feeding etc. Etc. Etc

[@BRStv]

By red algae, do you mean cyanobacteria? If so, we have a video that might help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opPRYYCrpa2cZ8U

[@jollycanna701]

what size will keep a 10in fish happy?

[@BRStv]

Fish generally aren't too picky about flow, so long as there is enough flow to keep the water oxygenated and the flow isn't blowing them around the tank. What type of fish is this and what size tank do you have? Maybe we can point you in the right direction.

[@brucie_b_fpvalvarado5453]

Great pump just way way too Bulky for tanks . Need more sleek looking pumps

[@brandyrankin8318]

Any suggestions for a 55 gallon tank?

[@BRStv]

Tons of great options out there, but since that tank is only ~12" from front to back, a pair of IceCap Gyre 2k pumps (one on each end) is a SOLID choice! Not to mention, pretty affordable! www.bulkreefsupply.com/2k-gyre-flow-pump-with-dual-pump-wifi-controller-icecap.html www.bulkreefsupply.com/2k-gyre-flow-pump-only-2000-gph-icecap.html

[@brandyrankin8318]

@@BRStv I have a hob filter on one side that moves 400 gph would I still need two gyres?

[@BRStv]

@@brandyrankin8318 In that case I would start out with just one gyre, then evaluate the flow. The single gyre plus water movement from your HOB equipment will certainly suffice for a softie and/or LPS dominated tank of that size.

[@fishlegend2536]

I did not listen to you for a few steps and now I have to set up a new tank because I have completely failed.... 😩 MY BAD

[@BRStv]

😢

[@AloofGoofTone]

As much as I love these videos, I don’t think they know what cheap is. When I think cheap, I think Amazon $20.

[@-Gunnarsson-]

not a single word about what flow I should have. 😂

[@catfish3662]

I don’t even have a saltwater why am I watching this lol

[@BRStv]

Hard to say exactly as we didn't test on that specific tank size, but the ideal settings are likely somewhere between the settings for the 25 and 60 gallon tanks in this video. I would start by simply splitting the difference between those two settings and it should get you VERY close 🙂 Of course, using a par meter would be the best way to confirm for sure.

[@catfish3662]

@@BRStv ??

[@nealfry7196]

“ Hello Kaya Evdokia Klitschko “

[@nealfry7196]

Fr”Y”day, ( Oops, ) Friday morning at 10:20am January 29TH, 2021, Miss Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, ‘You’ have the DNA of Champions like ‘your’ Daddy, Mr. Wladimir Klitschko, THE Heavyweight Champion Boxer Of The World. Hayden Lesley Panettiere’s ‘your’ Mommy who “ Loves ‘you’ more than my words can explain why ‘you’ Deserve THE Best Blessings that our Heavenly Father has for ‘you’ my Little Sunshine, Miss Kaya Klitschko. As Honest as The Holy Bible, I am “Anneal”, Neal Patrick Fry from Straight Outta Detroit, Michigan USA.

[@nealfry7196]

February 1ST, 2021, Miss Hayden Lesley Panettiere, With ALL the Money that Brian Hickerson STOLE from you, Hayden Panettiere, what did Brian Hickerson “Lovingly Give” to Hayden’s Adorable Daughter Kaya Klitschko? Just wondering before Valentine’s Day Hayden Lesley Panettiere’s BOY-TOY has Nothing in mind as I do, Neal Fry from Straight Outta Detroit!!! Sincerely, Neal

[@soldierboy_4349]

It says discontinued

[@BRStv]

Unfortunately the Hydor brand is no longer available, but if you're looking for a solid option that won't break the bank, check out some of the Sicce brand AC pumps. www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps-plumbing/aquarium-powerhead-pumps/sicce-powerhead-pumps.html

[@soldierboy_4349]

@@BRStv heyyyy do you know what’s a good wave maker for a 40g breeder

[@michalp.4975]

so if I would sell €500 pump with 20% profit... or €50 with 20% ... hmmm lets make a video clip about €500 ones.... I have bunch of Jebao/Jacod wavemakers that do the job for a fraction of the price (also wave patterns, WiFi) and they do last now for over 8 years! premium price tag not always means better :) I see dosing pumps for 1000's ! I use those for €60 and they do the job :D OK someone can say about the resolution of the pumps. If I have to do dosing of less than 1ml per cycle I just RO it until I can do it with my 1ml/cycle :D

[@MrGarnettmiller]

The 2nd gen is better than the 3rd.

[@ibnfevet1445]

Well I was excited about this Playlist but it's turning into just five minute commercials for their products and literally no learning about the topics presented.

[@BRStv]

The point of this series was more direct advice to get reefers up and running successfully without all of the theory. If you really want to dive into the various topics (but with beginner reefers still in mind), we have another series called the Ultimate Beginner Series hosted by Matthew that you might find more your speed. Link to that full playlist below if you wanted to check it out. kzbin.info/aero/PL53kwcE7KD-d0A-qXZ07iH1Fl0M3qWYsL

[@deathymckill9707]

This seemed less a guide and more a sale pitch

[@jeremybarr1726]

First!

[@SuperPussyFinger]

I’m going to get one of these wavemakers to go with my mullet.

[@kF-mj9uz]

I liked when you first started I am happy you made money selling but it’s not the same you were my stoner fish friend now this company blows