How do you circulate?!

[aquabee]

Hey all! Just trying to get some advice... have been doing my reading and now wanted a personal take.

We are trying to figure out what would be the best circulation system for our 125g/6ft. It's got Moba juvies in it right now, so the purpose would not be to leave them on all day every day. I'm sure they could handle a few minutes a day of stronger current without getting massively stressed. The goal is to have the pumps angled down and to turn on a couple times a day to lift crud from the fine sand substrate and blow it up toward the filter intakes, both of which are on either side of the tank.

Looked into the Koralia 1400s versus the Magnums versus the Tunzes, etc.... not sure what will do the job and how to know that. Would appreciate the advice!

[alexrex20]

A Vortech MP40wES would be great. You can adjust the intensity so that it's not blowing the juvies all over the place. You can also select different modes; Reef Crest Random is what you want, it randomly varies the flow from off to whatever maximum you set. The only problem is it's $450.

A cheaper option would be to put a Koralia on a timer. Just set the pins so that it comes on for 15min, every couple hours.

[aquabee]

A Vortech MP40wES would be great. You can adjust the intensity so that it's not blowing the juvies all over the place. You can also select different modes; Reef Crest Random is what you want, it randomly varies the flow from off to whatever maximum you set. The only problem is it's $450.

A cheaper option would be to put a Koralia on a timer. Just set the pins so that it comes on for 15min, every couple hours.

LOL alex... the tank, stand, lids, and light fixtures brand-spankin-new were less than the cost of that pump alone! One day maybe I'll be able to have one.

I was definitely thinking of doing the Koralia 1400 on a timer. The only thing that worries me, since my only experience is my Koralia 240 in my 20 long, is that it won't be enough flow to lift up the crap (but not the sand) from the bottom. Thinking about it though... 2 Koralia 1400s have GOT to be enough flow for this size tank... right?

[myjohnson]

Can't have everything. Two k4 on a timer is your best bet bc it's cheap and does what you want.

[nightster]

Can't have everything. Two k4 on a timer is your best bet bc it's cheap and does what you want.

+1, I'd put one on each end of the tank. Be careful pointing them down, you dont want a sand storm lol...

[alexrex20]

some dwarf synodontis cats could help keep the substrate clean.

[aquabee]

some dwarf synodontis cats could help keep the substrate clean.

I've got 4 little petricolas. They're awesome at eating leftover food!

[aquabee]

Can't have everything. Two k4 on a timer is your best bet bc it's cheap and does what you want.

Everything? Hardly. Just doing my due diligence before ordering what I decide on.

I've been thinking of doing 2 koralia 1400s (I assume that's the same thing as K4? Sorry I'm new to this) on timers for a while. It does seem like my best bet, so thanks. Time to go shopping!

[SunnyHouTX]

K4 use about twice as much as the Koralia Evolution 1400.

I have two 1400 on a timer in my 125 gal troph/tang tank. These two are angled up and turn on for 30 minutes every 1.5 hrs between 10am and 11pm (lights out). They get the tank spotless in no time. Zephyr and you are welcome to come check out how everything works and how strong these pumps flow.

[myjohnson]

Why not save money for the mp40w?

I have seen them go used for $250 and they will do EXACTLY what you want and more! :)

Battery back-up is a must during hurricane season.

[TaTeR ToT]

I have to agree with Thai on this, I've used literally every circulation pump on the market, and by far vortechs. Blow everything else out of the water hands down no contest.
I'm running the mp10wes on my 75g and 45g, and I sold a vortech. Mp40w. For. $125 a few months ago, you can find r here mcheap.

[aquabee]

Why not save money for the mp40w?

I have seen them go used for $250 and they will do EXACTLY what you want and more! :)

Battery back-up is a must during hurricane season.

Johnson and TaterTot.... what do those do that the others don't? I'm looking for something that's quiet and just stirs up the crud every so often so the sand stays clean. Already have sufficient flow for the type of fish I have.

[TaTeR ToT]

Thai will be able to explain this better, to me it's the overall quality, power, versatility, size, power consumption, the most amazing warranty I've ever seen, and the battery back ups with them will keep your fish alive through a power outage.

[sunkenmetal]

Johnson and TaterTot.... what do those do that the others don't? I'm looking for something that's quiet and just stirs up the crud every so often so the sand stays clean. Already have sufficient flow for the type of fish I have.

I don't own one but I know someone who does and seeing what it does and the quality of it makes it number one on my list if I ever need a pump. You can adjust the speed, make them pulse no power cord running into the water... They are sweet....

[SunnyHouTX]

Thai will be able to explain this better, to me it's the overall quality, power, versatility, size, power consumption, the most amazing warranty I've ever seen, and the battery back ups with them will keep your fish alive through a power outage.

So a battery back up and controller is included with each pump?