Need Powerhead opinions

[psumba]

Well I am at the next stage of setting my tank up...
its time to plan and shop for the powerheads.
Currently my front 3 runners are Rio's or Penguins, or Visi-Jets.
Can anyone add personal experience to mine, and all my readings?
Could I get an opinion on how much to turn my tank? I have a 55gal (will be a reef).
I was thinking that if I start with 2 powerheads that each turn about 4 times that should be a good start.
Has anyone ever used Osci-Wave? Looks cool, but I saw the price (+$119ish) that seemed high just to turn the powerhead.

 

[mr . salty]

Stay away from the RIO's.Too many people have had too many problems with them...I have a couple of the MINI-JETS and have had no trouble with them,.The only thing with them is that the intake vents get clogged pretty easily...I also have had penguins. Out of the three,I think I would reccomend the pengiuns first,then the Visa-jet.As far as turnover goes,This term is more related to filteration,rather than circulation.That is that your filter should turn the water over 7-10 times an hour. The circulation is more related to indavidual tank setup's,and the positioning of the powerheads.. Too much and you will have a whirlpool in there.Too little and the dead spots will quickly cause water quality problems.So a little experimenting is in order.I think what you have planned will be a good start.Just remember to include surface aggitation in your plans...

 

[justinl]

Maxi-Jets are supposedly good.
A lot of people will tell you that zoo med power heads suck but I have 3 and I like mine a lot. Downside of these is that the rotating powerhead needs to be cleaned periodically otherwise it will stick.

 

[shoddy mac]

I have three penguins and the only complaint is sometimes they will not turn on when the powerhead is activated. I do know that my firends are running the maxi-jets and have no problems what so ever.. hope this helps

 

[hawkfish]

DO NOT BUY A RIO.
they are loud, rattle, and are uilt very cheap. they are terrible and shouldn't even be sold. i have 2 and the second i get more money im getting others.

 

[fshhub]

another prob with rios is taht when they do break, they have on occassions, seeped oil(or grease),
i like hagen(aqau clears) and maxi jets(or mini's)(made by aquarium systems), the maxi's IMO, can't be beat for the money as far as quality longevity and price(all 3 combined), but as said, the intakes do need periodic cleaning, which is very easy
i agree most people don't like powersweeps either
my fav is the aqua clears(by hagen), but they are pricey
HTH

 

[ttimur]

Maxi-jets are great, they dont make noise when they turn on. If you are using (or will be) a wavemaker then the maxi-jets are for you.

 

[mlm]

I have maxi-jets.

 

[ebeckels]

the 1 rio I had (came with fuge) broke after a few weeks. I am now using an aquaclear 402 on the refugium. I use aquaclear for every except on other powerhead.

 

[fishfreek]

Maxi-jets!! Never had any problems with mine in the two years i've owned them. They also won't over heat. I've heard nothing but bad stuff about the Rio's. HTH

 

[scott270]

what about the powersweep, it is self rotating

 

[von_rahvin]

i use Maxi's the 1200 to be specific. they are great. I use them for all of my pumping needs. when i do water change i just attach a hose and pump it right out of the tank. those little suckes can pump againt over 5 feet of head pressure and still have a good stream. also the have no moving electrical parts so if they run dry to do not damage themselves.

 

[scott270]

glad to hear everyone likes the maxi's i just got the 1200 today and i have it pointing to the top center of my tank,seems to be doing great

 

[jester]

iused to have a rio in my fw tank powering an ugf. It was loud and not very funcional. when I brok the tank down I discovered it didn't even work!!!I have no idea how long it was useless, but thank god I don't have to worry about it anymore. I use maxijet 1200.

 

[psumba]

Wow!
Lots of feedback.
Looks like Maxi-Jets win hands down as the powerhead of choice.
Anyone care to comment on wavemakers for future reference?
or how about the osci-wave?