Circulation for 55 Gal?

[Rube]

I'm buying new pumps for my 55 gal reef tank, to be operated on a wavemaker. I have about 300 gph surface agitation from my sump (this won't be cycled on the wavemaker), and I'd like a little advice as to how many pumps, and what strength, you'd recommend. I appreciated it.

P.S. - I'm switching pumps because the Red Sea Wavemaker Pro switches my Hagen and Rio pumps on with a crackling noise loud enough to make the neighbor's dog start yapping. Needless to say, this makes for a low GAF(Girlfriend Acceptance Factor) for the equipment. I've read from other posts that the Maxijet powerheads are the only ones that can handle the sudden starts quietly("soft start" my butt). So anyone thinking about a wavemaker that works by switching powerheads on/off rather than rotating/oscillating, keep in mind the potential hidden cost of the equipment... new powerheads.

 

[Anonymous]

You may want to contact Red Sea. They are a good company and there may be a defect in the soft start mechanism. I do not own one but have seen them(and heard them)in action with maxi jets and aqua clears with very little noise. But through numerous posts I would say that most use maxi jets with the least amount of problems. Aqua clears come in a close second. Rio pumps are a non issue for wave makers as far as the posts here go.

In a 55 gallon I would use 3-4 maxi jet 1200s on random currents. My 55 operates on about 1200-1300 gallons an hour w/o a wave maker. Fewer larger pumps are better than many smaller for two reasons.

1.Fewer large pumps create less heat exchange than many small ones.
2.Less space is taken up in the tank. Hence it is not as ugly.

GL

Dan

 

[Rube]

Good advice, thanks. Think I'll try 3 Maxi's plus my filter output.

 

[JohnD]

Joe,

I am in the process of upgrading all of my old powerheads (and I have a few of them) to Maxijets.

Maxijets are smaller and quieter. I am partial to the 900s because of the very low power consumption. I also run a 1200 and am very impressed with the amount of water it moves (compared to an Aquaclear 802 that I also run). I would say 3 Maxijets would do fine in a 55.

I do not have a Red Sea wave maker, but I too have only heard good things about them. Drop a line to them to see what they can do for you.

 

[NoriMuncher]

Consider using Maxi 900's rather than 1200's, much better pump to watts ratio, if you don't mind a little more $ up front.