$200 Powerhead Budget for 45G SPS Cube

I am in the process of building a 45 gallon cube SPS tank (24x24x18) and the next item on my list is a powerhead.

I have a strict $200 budget that I set for myself. Given that this is going to be a heavy SPS tank, I am starting to get concerned that a single Vortech MP10 might not do the trick. And given that I may be heading in the DIY light direction as well, I will likely be picking up an Apex JR which would perform the same functions as the Vortech controller.

With that said...what would people recommend I do? Single MP10? Single Hydor ____? Dual Hydor ______? Tunze?

Thanks!

 

A single MP10 is above your budget, unless you get it used. I had a single MP10 on a 50 gallon tank and it wasn't enough. Tunze is also probably out of consideration on a $200 budget.

I'd look at four Hydor Evos 550's ($30 each) on a Smart Wave timer ($70). If you are willing to spend a bit more, 750's might be better ($40 each).

 

I should have said my budget is $220 - which is the going rate for MP10's. With that said - will it be too little flow for a heavy SPS 45 cube? For reference, the cube is the same size as a 60 cube, just several inches shorter.

 

I would go with the mp10 for now an then add another one when possible. You could always add a koralea or 2 if need be for a little extra flow. But for the money you can't beat a vortech IMO!

 

Also if your doing DIY led lighting and wanting dimming look at rapidled.com they have a dimming control for $75 that all you need with it is a timer to plug lights in and it does everything else. Work very nicely, buddy has on his tank. Has a remote can change everything with a few clicks, very handy for acclimating new corals

 

In my opinion, a single MP10 would not provide enough flow in a 45 gallon cube for SPS. If you add a couple of extra inexpensive powerheads, it could work, but alone an MP10 would not be enough.

 

Any thoughts on running two Tunze 6045's? They are manually adjustable up to ~1200gph. Can get them for about $85 new.

Do you think running that setup make a material difference in my tank (ability to keep thriving SPS) relative to 2 MP10's? $170 vs $450 is a big difference.

 

Just learned about another potential option. Every now and again Tunze 6095's pop up (new) for just over $200, so I could go that route instead. It's a 'wide flow' pump which I think might be a good fit for my cube.

Anyone have thoughts on this? Could control with Apex.