Vortech Mp10 on 55 gallon reef

[Ajd2800]

Hello everyone ive been a member of reef central for a while now but this is my first post. I have a 55 gallon reef im currently running a couple koralia pumps on my tank but i just ordered a mp10 from ebay for a good price. Do u think a mp10 is good for a 55 gallon? Should i keep a koralia on the Other end for better flow? U guys help is very appreciated!! Thanks!!

[TheReefChief]

I am putting one on a 57g reef that will also have an eheim 1260 providing flow from 2 nozzles. From what I have seen there are tons of 55g or so reefs running one MP10 + Return flow and they seem to do great. But im a newbie and only know this from reading around myself.

[TreyK]

What do you plan on keeping? That will determine the flow you need.

[tjw00]

If non-sps, then yes. If sps dominated, then no, even with the 1260. Jmho

[Ajd2800]

I plan on keeping mostly lps with a couple montipora is wat i want.

[jacksonpt]

It'll probably work fine, might depend on things like aquascaping and such though.

As a side note, you should go with as much flow as your possibly can without making your critters unhappy. I see a lot of people asking similar questions as yours, "will this be enough flow?" IMO, if the question isn't "Is this too much flow" then you probably don't have enough flow.

FWIW, I have a pair of MP10s on my 30 with an Eheim 1262. I keep mostly LPS with a few SPS.

[Essense]

I'd say run the MP10 and use the koralia only if needed.

One of the greatest feautures of the MP10 is the limited footprint in the tank, it would be a shame to need to add a large koralia.

I wish I would have got the MP10 to start for my tank.

[smokey30]

I have two mp10s pointing at each other on the tank sides and two koralia nanos angled in on the back wall. This is on a 50 gallon standard tank. Flow is one key to success

[Ajd2800]

Thanks guys i appreciate all of your opinions keep them coming!!

[TheReefChief]

If non-sps, then yes. If sps dominated, then no, even with the 1260. Jmho

You really think so? With the Vortech at 1500 and the return at 500 thats 2000 GPH in a 57G tank or 35x turnover. Is this not enough for a good amount of sps in the tank? I thought at 35x you were getting into "blowing soft corals away" territory

[abell]

I doubt you run the mp10 full bore on the green setting which is where you see the 1500 gph. Most of the settings have up and down flow rates so at some points you may, but most the time your gph will vary.

[allsps40]

I have a leather and some lps in my sps tank with 72x and they do great. The MP1- will be fine for softies and LPS but I like a bit more flow. What size are the Korillias??

[Ajd2800]

I have 2 koralia evolution 1050s and my mp10 shoul b cumming in next week.

[smokey30]

I run mine only on reef crest but I think at 75%. Using an mp10 on the green setting at full tilt will def. make your tank a wind tunnel for your livestock. They are strong. I really like the long pulse mode (yellow)at quicker intervals it does a nice job moving those polyps with random flow.

[MCCOOL]

I have 2 mp10's on my 3' 58g tank. My tank is sps only, and this is barely enough flow, I plan on adding a third. For LPS/softies, 1 mp10 and a koralia should be good but I doubt the mp10 will be enough alone.

[karsseboom]

You really think so? With the Vortech at 1500 and the return at 500 thats 2000 GPH in a 57G tank or 35x turnover. Is this not enough for a good amount of sps in the tank? I thought at 35x you were getting into "blowing soft corals away" territory

No man thats not enough flow. I would say 60x is good for sps and most people dont count there return as flow anyway.

[Metal Man 1221]

I didn't read through every thing, however I will add that I am running an mp10 on my 125, being a 6' tank and getting excellent flow for at least 4' in front of the mp10. my sps are all on the side of the tank that the vortech is and thrive. and the last two feet that the vortech doesnt effect is perfect for my lps.

If anything it could prove to be too much flow if you want to keep mostly lps, but the nice feature about the vortech pumps is that their speed can be adjusted.

I say go for it

[TheReefChief]

No man thats not enough flow. I would say 60x is good for sps and most people dont count there return as flow anyway.

Roger that, I plan to keep SPS, but not at first and not primarily. But I would still rather more flow if the LPS like it.

Would it be better to buy another MP10 down the road, or would it be smarter to just upgrade to the MP40 now? I would imagine the MP10's working together would provide a better flow.

[karsseboom]

Roger that, I plan to keep SPS, but not at first and not primarily. But I would still rather more flow if the LPS like it.

Would it be better to buy another MP10 down the road, or would it be smarter to just upgrade to the MP40 now? I would imagine the MP10's working together would provide a better flow.
Depends on your tank size? in his case an mp40 would do great.

[TheReefChief]

Depends on your tank size? in his case an mp40 would do great.

My tank is a 57G rimless, 36x20x18. I have one MP10 right now and 500gph coming from the eheim 1260. I can just go ahead and replace it with the MP40 now if thats my best bet :fish2: But I feel like matching MP10's would LOOK better and cost almost the same if the performance would be similar to an MP40. (if not better because its coming from 2 points across from each other in the tank.)


Edit: I did a little research and almost everyone says 1 MP40 is too much from 1 powerhead in a smaller tank and 2 mp10's provide nice smooth fast flow.

[tkeracer619]

Edit: I did a little research and almost everyone says 1 MP40 is too much from 1 powerhead in a smaller tank and 2 mp10's provide nice smooth fast flow.

^^^this

[tjw00]

I plan on keeping mostly lps with a couple montipora is wat i want.

Then you might be ok with the mp10 and the 1260 for now.

In my 55g I have 1 mp40 and 2mp10's. I run Tidal Swell EcoSmart off my apex and it's just the right amount of flow for my acros.

[Khai]

My 56 is running off a MP10 and ~400 gph from the return. Works spectacularly.

If you had more flow, things would be flying. Part of the key is to create momentum that eventually 'churns' and is then interrupted briefly.