What size power heads for 55 gal sw

[sdtrippe]

Hello I was needing to get 2 new powerhead for my sw tank.I have fish only right now but will soon be trying live rock. I still have 5 nitrates and trying to get a handle on nitrates.I heard you will need 0 nitrates for live rock.So that is my goal.But for right now I need to replace my powerheads that are wore out. I want to know the gph I would need for good circulation for my tank for future live rock ...
Thanks
Sdtrippe :idea:

 

[PeeJ]

Depends on what types of things you would like to keep in your tank. Powerheads aren't going to provide any type of filtration to get rid of your Nitrates. I believe the recomended turnover for most marine tanks is between 20-30 times per hour. Well, not recommended but average rather. I am sure you will get many opinions. I turn my 100 gallon tank over 22 times per hour and it seems to do pretty well.

 

[ChrisRD]

If you're looking for a lot of flow without the high, potentially damaging flow velocities normally associated with powerheads, check out the propeller-type pumps like the Rio SEIO and the Tunze Stream. I've not used the SEIOs, but I'd guess a pair of either model would be plenty of flow. Just one of the Stream units (the smaller models) would be also be plenty...

If you're just looking for regular powerheads, a lot of people like Maxijets because they seem to last pretty well running on a wavemaker (where the constant on/off cycling can kill some powerheads prematurely). Three to four MJ1200s should do the trick (especially on a wavemaker).

HTH