Powerhead for a BC14?

[cbashaw]

I'm setting up a Biocube 14G and I plan to replace the return pump with a MJ900 but I'm not sure what powerhead to get for additional flow in the tank. I plan on keeping soft coral and LPS.

 

Most importantly it needs to be as quiet as possible quiet because it will be the bedroom.

[Chad]

I would probably go with a tunze nanostream. They are quiet, low power usage, and push a lot of water for their size.

[El Camaron]

the 900 will give you plenty of return power, and if upi have the money a vortech mp10es is always nice but if not you can make due with a koralia or tunze.

[The Kerrnel]

Good lord, a vortech mp10es is way overkill for the $$ for a BC14! I've got an Aquapod 12g, very similar to the BC14 and have a MJ900 as the return pump as well. The corals themselves you're keeping I think are ok with just that, but for overall health of the tank I do think additional flow is needed. Originally I tried the MJ600 has my additional PH and felt it had too much footprint for the tank, and not enough flow to keep the algae down. I ended up going with the Koralia Nano 425gph. The challenge is to find the right flow pattern. My tank is doing better with the Nano.

 

Mike.

[El Camaron]

flow output can be regulated with a vortech and changed as he replaces corals with anything else, thus why i said if you have the money a vortech is alwasy nice and the footprint on the vortech is less than half of the Koralias.

[The Kerrnel]

Don't get me wrong, the vortechs look nice, and I'll probably end up getting one whenever I upgrade to a larger tank, but for a 12g, as nice as it would be to have adjustable flow, it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay over a hundred bucks for a PH for that kind of setup.

 

Unless you've got cash to burn, but then you'd probably not have a 12g.

 

Mike.

[Reefoholic]

Hey,

 

I had a Biocube 14 gal before my current set-up and also replaced the return pump with a MJ900. I also installed a Hydor Koralia Nano 240 on the back wall at the right top corner. I also replaced the stock pump return apparatus with a Hydor Koralia Rotating Water Reflector. All of these worked pretty silent. I don't remember ever being bothered by any noise considering I live in a studio.

Hindsight, if you are going to use the water reflector, try to secure it with some e-poxy or super glue since the MJ900 will have a strong flow and might cause it to pop-out.

All these attachments create more than enough water flow for a 14 gal. My corals (both SPS and LPS) thrived over time!

 

In my opinion a Vortech is a great addition to any reef set-up but honestly for a 14 gal it is a little bit over kill. You can achieve a similar wave cycle affect with timers, which you can buy from CVS or any hardware store for a lot cheaper...

[dakotasreef]

I agree though expensive, I personally would do the vortech myself.

Pros:

Small footprint

No heat transfer

No chance of stray current

Adjustable flow patterns and rates

 

Cons:

Price

 

I would try to find one used if you can.

[cbashaw]

Thanks

for now I decided I'm going to order a Tunze but I'll keep an eye out for a vortec later on.