Powerhead vs. Circulation Pump

[shanepike]

Both the Koralias and the Maxi-Jets say that they can be used as either a "Powerhead" or a "Circulation Pump." I've having difficulty discerning the difference, though. Both look (and read) like they do</em> the same thing (though the appearance is obviously different), and I can't find any posts here referencing it.

What's the difference? I know I'm just missing something.

 

[jbdreefs]

I believe a powerhead has a tighter stream and a circulation pump provides more of a wave like affect. In otherwords, a powerhead shoots water through a straw and a circulation pump is more like dumping a bowl of water in the tank. Does that make sense?

Powerheads, are generally used in undergravel filters or to run reactors, skimmers, etc.

 

[cr500_af]

Yep. The only way I would personally use a MJ for circulation is to use one of the "mod kits" but they cost as much as the pump, so you can buy a Koralia for the same money and it looks better in the tank.

 

[jbdreefs]

I personally hate the maxijets for the sole reason that they do not have magnets. The suction cups are terrible, especially if you go with a larger MJ.

 

[cr500_af]

And the magnet mounts are about as expensive as the pump also...

 

[spankdog]

I have one of the new Maxi-Jet's and it comes with a circulation pump conversion kit. The "new" maxi-jet pumps are junk and make too much noise so i just use it for water changes and mixing water in a bucket.

 

[shanepike]

Sounds like the confusion may be because I'm actually using the powerhead to circulate water in the tank, where one would normally use a circulation pump. So for me, the powerhead is</em> the circulation pump.

On the advice of my LFS, I'm using the Maxi-Jet 400 set up as in Fig. 1 here: http://www.marineland.com/uploadedfiles/marineland/products/mlmjpmuwpph_ssfbcrop_2-2011.pdf">http://www.marineland.com/uploadedfiles/marineland/products/mlmjpmuwpph_ssfbcrop_2-2011.pdf</a> In powerhead mode, the flow is 110gph -- just right for my 5.5g.

I'm planning to use this for my 11.6g that's on the way: [IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=HD00715&child=HD00715">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=HD00715&child=HD00715</a>

Any comments on those setups?