Powerhead & Filter Question

I am slowly putting together equipment for a 29g eventual reef tank. I have been looking at powerheads/circ. pumps and the koralia evo series has caught my eye. Is the magnetic mounting reliable as well as the pump itself. Also which model would be advisable for my tank? I am looking at the nano @ 425gph and the 500 @550gph.

Second question: I am looking at filter setups, but don't really know where to start. Obviously biological filtration comes from your live rock/sand bed etc... but as far a the mechanical side where do you go with this. Is a protein skimmer sufficent or would a HOB be advisable as well when starting a new tank?

 

I have a Koralia 240 and a 425, both are great. The 550 is probably the biggest I'd get so as to not shoot water out the top of the tank, lol. As far as filters go I run a Aqua Clear 50 on both my tanks (10g and 40B) and would highly recommend AC brand hob's. A hob will do you just fine on a 29. I don't skim at the moment but my bioload is kinda small. Once I get more fish and if I start trying SPS I will get one for sure. I'm still doing research on skimmers, but for and in tank I'd go with Hydor slim skim nano. The Aero Force hob skimmer by CPR looks awesome, but it's pretty dang pricey.

 

Hello and welcome!

I've had no issues whatsoever with the magnetic mounts for the koralia powerheads. they're solid all the way around. I generally prefer two units to one. Helps with ensuring that you don't have a torrent in one location and dead spots in others. This will help with algae and Cyano.

I think most folks will tell you that live rock and a skimmer is sufficient. Mechanical filtration, if not cleaned frequently, will can cause a rise in nitrates.

Good luck.

 

+1 to the last answer, better getting 2 smaller ones thatn only one powerful one. the mount is strong but be careful of the little plastic ball behinde the pump that slips into the suction cup its some what fragile and may break.

 

Two nano 425s would be about the minimum but I might look at two of the larger versions. I have a nano 425 and one of the older Koralia K1's in a 16G bowfront and am disappointed in the flows.

 

2 550s will get you 50+ times flow which will be a good all around flow for a reef tank. If you are going SPS dominant then I would go with 4 425s.