Please help me select vibration pumps for my 250l planted tank

Hey guys!

I finally have my DIY CO2 up and running again, but I desperately want to improve the circulation in my tank so that the CO2 is more evenly distributed and the plants have more gaseous exchange.

Checked out SunSun vibration pumps, but I don't have any experience with vibration pumps and their crazy flow rates, so I need help choosing the right combination.

These are the models:
JVP-102 - 5000 l/h
JVP-201 - 6000 l/h
JVP-202 - 12000 l/h

Was thinking I need two, with one of each in opposing corners.

Please keep in mind that there are small fish such as tetra neons and serpeas in the tank and I have no idea how they would cope in a whirlpool tank.

Regards
Rudi

 

Try the hydor range. They make much smaller ones, and they're better than the sun suns.

 

The Hydor 2800, 4000, 5200 wavemakers look great! Extremely low wattage as well (SunSun 6000 l/h @ 12W Hydor 5200 l/h @ 5 W). But entry price is just too steep for me atm(>3x for equivalent flow rate).
Hydor 5200 specs mention that it's for freshwater tanks from 250l - 600l, so I'm thinking I should try a JVP-201 rated for 6000 l/h. Anyone think I will want another?

 

No... 6000L per hour will uproot all your plants and make a tornado in your tank. You really do need something smaller for fresh water, and the hydor is small enough to not do that.

 

LMAO. My inexperience is showing. Thanks for the warning!

 

LOL! I know, because I have done that before... So I am speaking from hands on experience, and that was a 4000L pump I used on a 200L. So, the smallest one you can find, get that one... Obviously, not a 100L/H one, but just be realistic.

 

Do you think it would be possible to retrofit a 6000 l/h model to output far less? Say, put a sock over the opening? Rewire the wavemaker, ie do Volt-mod like some people do on PC fans to change the 12V input to 7V by rewiring the ground to the 5V? Take one of the impellers out if it's a dual unit?
LMAO.

 

Ummmm... No idea.

 

But seriously, what do you think would happen if one takes out the impeller on one side of a dual wavemaker?

 

Then instead of 6000L/h it would be 3000L/h...

 

Interesting. Would've thought it would cause the unit to malfunction. Thanks for all the info!

 

look for seio props, you get small ones and they are relatively cheap

 

Didn't get any pumps. Platsak
The SunSuns seemed like a good option, but getting the magnet mount doubles their price @ over R100 per magnet mount.

 

@rudig - I have a 6000l Sunsun Running in my 80l river tank for about a year now....no magnet mount and not a day of hassle from it. For once there is a product that the suction cups actually WORK....lol

 

I ended up getting a 6000l SunSun Vibration Pump. Isn't half as strong as I expected it to be.
Plants aren't doing too great atm. Wondering if my GH and KH are too high? Anyone know what the water parameters for PTA-East are?