Best pump for a 3g tank

[beastium]

I decided I want some more flow in my picotope.
and ive narrowed it down to what i think are the two best pumps for it:

AZOO 180
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4591&cmpid=03csesh&ref=3554&subref=AA

vs.

HYDOR PICO EVOLUTION 400
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21414

has anyone seen these in person?
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

 

[beastium]

Anyone?
Or a koralia nano 425 would that be too much

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Reefs

 

[jeffvmd]

I think the 425 will be too much for that.
I've used the hydor pico evo's before and they are nice little pumps but the plates which are used to hold the pump in place kinda defeats the purpose of having a tiny pump as it will take up a lot of space.
The azoo looks like it will have a smaller footprint overall.

 

[beastium]

I was hoping the pico evo was perfect but now i dont know.

The azoo looks tiny but the exhaust isnt adjustable.
i looked at your 12g shallow tank and i think i can trust that youre a pro lol that looks sik man.
i searched around and i found this one that seems kinda cool, but at a 1/3 of the gph:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176GKM8/?tag=reefs04-20
i would use it without the filter part like so:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t210652.html

azoo vs evo vs toms
of the three what would you use for a jbj picotope?

 

[jeffvmd]

Thanks Beastium but I'm still no pro at this. Lol.
Have you checked out the hydor pico evo-mag 180?
I think that will be your best bet over form and function as compared to the 3 you are considering now.
It's priced a bit higher but that will be perfect for your tank.
Or maybe another cheap option is the hagen mini elite filter.

Hydor pico evo-mag 180
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23729
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B003UK5CTG/ref=aw_d_ol?qid=1351833439&sr=8-1

You can also opt for this hagen elite mini filter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B0009YD7D4/ref=aw_d_ol?qid=1351833580&sr=8-1

 

[skene]

is this for a return pump or for flow?

I would think that there would be no need for any additional flow as if you used a HOB filter, it would provide more than enough oxygen transfer for a small tank.

 

[beastium]

I know I should probably go for the elite for the price and the deflector piece, but I want the evo just cuz its cool lol. Those are good choices though.

Its for flow - I have two stock size HOBs, but there was a lot of cyano and hair algae at one point bc my light is too strong. I started over and I wanna raise acans n more varieties swaying in the wind. Would extra oxygen cause a problem?

also What would you recommend if i did need a return pump?

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Reefs (which now wont stop the loading animation bc i used rom toolbox to uninstall LauncherPro that kept crashing when i started up my phone, had to buy romtoolbox Pro to restore it, didnt know how to start the single app, and after a reboot this happens.)

 

[jeffvmd]

I have a mini elite that you can check out to see if that pump will suit you.
I mainly use 'em as a top off pump and have a spare one lying around.

The return pump is needed mostly for some pico/nano AIO's.
You can also do a hob upgrade to an aquaclear 50 or 70 and mod it as a fuge too as some nano reefers do on their jbjtanks.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=311472&hl=Aquaclear+70

 

[NYC Joe]

Had both in my tank.

The Azoo was basically a box.
Not adjustable. But a workhorse

The hydor I got rid of. As it got dirty it started making noise. Got really annoying. I heard some are quiet though. It was adjustable though.

I have a 6 gal and went with the koralia.

Think I put the Azoo in a turtle tank for flow. That thing was unbreakable. And quiet!

 

[NYC Joe]

Oh and I had a few of the small pumps.
I found a tiny one on eBay. It was 1 by 1 inch!
Without the sponge filter. Don't use it anyway

I found it by googling smallest power head. And it was recommended by another random fish forum.

May still have it somewhere.
It was too small for me.
Was like 8 bucks shipped.

 

[blueink]

try a iwaki water pump

 

[beastium]

thanks for the info guys.
So I'm definitely getting either the elite mini or the toms dive clean mini
From what i've gathered theyre both the smallest with adjustable flow.
the hagen: cheap, quiet, dovetail exhaust
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176GKM8/?tag=reefs04-20
toms: bit smaller, 5 bucks more with a more tweakable exhaust. dont know much about how loud it is?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176GKM8/?tag=reefs04-20

anyone know if the tom's is really noisy? i'm assuming internal filters are pretty much silent