Tag: ReefKeeping

Choosing between a hang-on overflow box and a drilled tank is one of the first real decisions you make when setting up a sump-based system — and it’s one I’ve thought about carefully on my own setups. A drilled tank is always my preference for reliability, but hang-on boxes have gotten significantly better and are a legitimate option when drilling isn’t possible. Here’s how to think through the choice and which products I’d actually recommend.

For anyone who has a reef tank or freshwater tank where one is considering a cleaner setup, an overflow box is a major consideration. An overflow box is an entry point to setting up a sump. It filters out surface scum off the top of your aquarium and a properly installed overflow is a clean addition to your aquarium.

There are many overflow boxes out in the market, so what is the best overflow box? In today’s post I will go over the types of overflow boxes, hang-on versus drilled overflow boxes, the best hang on overflow box and drilled overflow boxes, and how to install an overflow on your aquarium. I hope at the end of the article you will become more informed and less scared about installing an overflow to create a primer aquarium equipment system.

Types of Overflow Boxes 

There are generally three types of overflow boxes:

• Internal Hang-On Overflow Boxes
• Internal Built-In Overflow Boxes
• External Overflow Boxes

Internal hang-on overflow boxes are the simplest to install, but have the greatest risk of failure in your aquarium. The failure usually will occur with the loss siphon due to failure of the tubes, pump, or a power outage. They are usually the most affordable of the three and can be a good choice for those who do not want to drill their tank. The failure points of a hang-on overflow can be mitigated by building a larger sump.

Internal built-in overflow boxes are what you will usually see with Reef Ready Systems like a Red Sea Reefer. They are integrated with the tank and usually are built with a Durso style system, which can operate with only one hole but do not have the silent features of a Bean Animal Overflow. It is possible to get a custom aquarium with a bean animal internal built-in overflow, but you will typically pay a lot more then going with an internal hang-on overflow or drilling your tank and getting an external overflow box.

An external overflow box offer the most feature rich option on the market currently. You can easily find external overflow boxes with a bean animal setup and there are several models now that offer a slim overflow design, which leaves a very small footprint inside the aquarium. The main downfalls with an external overflow is that you cannot have a flush aquarium to the wall since the box will stick out, and you will have to drill your tank (or pay someone to drill your tank – more on that later in this post).

The 3 Best Hang-On Overflow Box (2023 Reviews)

While my recommendation would be to purchase an external overflow or consider a reef ready tank, there are many people reading this post who may not have this option. Below would be my recommendations for a hang-on overflow box:

In a hurry? I recommend the CPR Overflow Box as a hang on option!

1. CPR – A Comprehensive External Unit With Failure Prevention Features

CPR is brand name that longtime reefers know. They are a small private company that has been around for ages pioneering one of the first successful hang-on protein skimmers on the market, the CPR Bakpak. Their overflow is another very successful product. This external overflow box is a step up to the Eshopps overflow box as it includes failure prevention options such as installing an aqua lifter pump.

The water level on the CPR Overflow Box can be adjusted on this overflow box allow you to modify the water level in your tank and it comes with a generous 1″ bulkhead with a pre-filter that can be used to prevent any clog from large inverts like snails. I highly recommend purchasing the aqua lifter pump for a full proof setup!

Pros

• Failure prevention features
• Adjustable water level

Cons

• Internal part of the box is clear instead of black
• Only one siphon & one drain
• Need to buy aqua lifter pump separately

2. Eshopps – The Budget Minded Solution

We are going to talk about the Eshopps PF-800 for this review. This overflow box is made for aquariums 75-125 gallons in size. The black part of the overflow (the part that you can see in the tank) only measures 8″ x 2 1/4″ leaving a small footprint in the tank. It only has one siphon tube, but that tube measures 1.25″. It includes a pre-filter, which you can remove or keep on to prevent snails like clogging the pipe. It has nylon nuts so you can easily fasten to your tank. A lot of us who got started with sump filtration started with one of these and it has been unchanged for many years.

Pros

• Cheap
• Black Internal box and small footprint

Cons

• No failure prevention features
• Only one siphon & one drain

3. Blue Ocean – For The Value Conscious Shopper

The Blue Ocean Overflow Box represents a value for overflow boxes. It doesn’t have the name recognition like Eshopps or CPR has, but it does offer similar features to the CPR as long as you purchase the optional power head. The drain is a ample 1″ bulkhead with a strainer equipped, which means you don’t need to add a pre-filter to the box.

Pros

• Cheap!
• Strainer feature which means no prefilter needed

Cons

• Requires a power head vs. an air pump to prevent loss siphon
• Clear overflow box

The Top 3 (2021 Reviews)

I have provided a number of recommended overflow boxes above for those not considering drilling a tank. For those who are considering drilling a tank, there are a few one external overflow boxes I go to.

In a hurry? I recommend Fiji Overflow Boxes!

1. Fiji Cube – A Cheaper And Better Option Than The Eshopps Eclipse!

The Fiji Cube Overflow Box is the ideal design for an overflow box. The design has the overflow box lower so the water level in the overflow box can be adjusted to be super quiet. They are also offered in more sizes than the Eclipses with the smaller models being a Durso design, while the larger models offering a true bean animal design.

Not only is the Fiji Cube overflow box have a superior design to the Eclipse, but it is also cheaper! Designed and made in Minnesota, Fiji Cube has been known for developing high quality tanks and sumps. This overflow box is another high quality product and worth a look if you want a slim overflow box.

One word of caution with the Fiji is that the template is made for a rimless tank. For a rimmed tank, you will need to place the template INSIDE the tank and drill where the water line marker is ABOVE the plastic rim. This will result in the box being mounted inbetween the rim on some smaller tank installs. On small installs I’ve done, this required me to make my own gasket (1/4” or 1/2” depending on the install) to make the box fit even.

Pros

• Superior design and cheap for a slim overflow box!
• Takes up very little space inside the aquarium
• Kit comes complete with drill template, hole saw, and emergency drain piping

Cons

• You will need to drill the tank (or pay someone to do it)
• More advanced setup knowledge required over hang-on overflows
• Template is for rimless tanks 

2. Eshopps Eclipse Slim – Bean Animal Unit at an Affordable Price!

The Eshopps Eclipse slim overflow boxes represent a great entry level into a bean animal setup. What makes a bean animal such a special overflow setup is that it covers multiple points of failure. The largest model has three drains, which will provide a complete full proof overflow design. The smaller models include two drains, but even that would be considered a pretty full proof setup.

The other great feature about the the Eclipse overflow box is the slim external design. It takes up a very small footprint in the aquarium that won’t get in the way of aquascaping your tank. Finally, it comes with everything you need. It comes with the drill template, the hole saw, and even an emergency drain pipe ready to install!

The main gripe with this overflow design is the box design itself. The slim overflow stands too high compared to the overflow box drain. This leads to a noisier overflow box than designed. Fortunately, our next overflow box on the list solves this issue!

Pros

• Full proof design
• Slim overflow takes up little space inside the aquarium
• Kit comes complete with drill template, hole saw, and emergency drain piping

Cons

• You will need to drill the tank (or pay someone to do it)
• More advanced setup knowledge required over hang-on overflows
• The overflow box can be too high compared to the drain box which makes it louder than it should be if you oversize the box

3. Prodigy External – Limitless Potential

The new Prodigy External Overflow Box is an adjustment breakthrough in overflow technology. When overflows first came out, they covered an entire section of an aquarium, cutting out valuable aquascaping space. Then we had the traditional overflow box, which left an ugly block in the middle of your tank. Then we move to the slim overflow, which is what the Eclipse and Fiji Cube represent.

This new overflow box is the next generation of overflows. The overflow piece that goes to your display tank is only 8mm thick! That’s less than 1/3 of an inch. You can now get a bean animal overflow installed in your aquarium and have all the room for your aquascaping. I’m super excited the potential this product brings to our aquariums.

It also allows you to adjust the overflow gate, giving you an easy option to adjust your box’s water flow level without having to reach into your sump and turn a gate value.

So what’s the catch here? The first is the price. It one of the most expensive overflow boxes you can purchase and I’m also not feeling in the color. Orange is just weird to me and I would have preferred a neutral color like a black. It’s also brand new, so it is bound to have some issues from the onset.

Give it a couple of years though and every manufacturer will be jumping to replicate this overflow – and also lower the price in the process ?.

Pros

• Slimmest overflow available
• Bean Animal design
• Adjustable overflow gate

Cons

• Expensive
• The overflow box can be too high compared to the drain box which makes it louder than it should be if you oversize the box

Prepping for a Hang On Sump Setup

If you have decided to get a hang-on overflow, the next setup is prepping for a sump setup. Let’s talk about the considerations you need to take into account:

• How will I hang my return piping – assuming I don’t want to drill
• What size sump should I get?
• What return pump should I get?

How will I hang my return piping – assuming I don’t want to drill

Assuming you want to go with a complete drill free setup, you will want to get a U-Tuber directional return to get water to enter your display tank in an orderly fashion. This U-Tube by ThePetStop will get you going and will support either 3/4″ or 1″ tubing and is very easy to install. It comes in black so it should blend in well with black backgrounds.

Prepping for an External Sump Setup

If you have decided to get an external overflow box, the next setup is prepping to drill the tank and setting it up. Let’s talk about the considerations you need to take into account:

• How will I drill the tank? DIY or Paying Someone?
• What size sump should I get?
• What return pump should I get?

How will I Drill The Tank? DIY Or Paying Someone?

The major reason why most people do not go with external overflows is they are scared to drill a tank. It’s actually pretty easy to do as long as you have the right equipment and setup the time to do it. Here is what you will need if you decided to drill the tank yourself:

• Hole saws
• Drilling Template
• Drill Stand
• Corded Drill
• Plumbers Putty 

How to Drill A Fish Tank

Before you decide to drill a tank, make sure that the aquarium glass you are drilling is not made of tempered glass. It is a pretty reasonable assumption that if you are drilling on the back of the tank that you don’t have to worry about this as the vast majority of manufacturers will not make the back of the glass tempered glass. However, the sides or the bottom are usually made of tempered glass so check with the manufacturer if you are planning to drill on the side or bottom.

The good thing is if you are following this review guide and selected the Eshopps overflow box, you already have a hole saw and drill template. You may need a hole saw for your return piping, which I have linked here so you can purchase. You will want a hole saw to drill a 3/4″ return if you use 1″ drain piping.

One of the optional pieces of equipment is a Drill Stand. A drill stand is excellent to use because it will steady your hand and allow you to go slowly while drilling the hole. Make sure you remove the spring when drilling an aquarium.

I would recommend a corded drill instead of a cordless drill for drilling an aquarium. The reason why is that drilling a tank does take time and it is likely that you will need to stop to replace the battery mid-way. A corded drill is more powerful, easier to use for this application, will drill a cleaner hole safely, and will get the job done quicker than a cordless drill. I prefer to use a DeWalt Corded Drill for drilling aquariums.

Plumbers putty and water is the last items you will need. You want to have water in the area you are drilling to lubricate and cool the drill as you go. Use the plumber’s putty to create a circle to hold the water as you drill.

Finally I have included a video to help from Melev’s Reef. He is a seasoned expert and uses a cordless drill. I still recommend going with a drill stand at minimum if you are doing this for the first time.

Paying Someone to Drill Your Tank

If all of that scares you, you can always offer to pay someone to drill your tank. A number of local aquarist Facebook groups will have people who will happily drill your tank or you can ask your local aquarium club if there are any members who will drill tanks. Usually the fee is pretty minimal and some people will even do it for free! I would definitely check out a facebook group or your aquarium club before even considering paying a plumber or local fish store to drill your tank.

What Size Sump Should I Get?

As big as you can get. Since we are talking about a drilled tank setup, we venture into the realm of custom made sumps. There are several stock sumps out there that I would say are the best aquarium sumps you can buy that are manufactures. You can of course still go with a DIY baffle kit for smaller tanks as well.

What Return Pump Should I Get?

Since we are talking about a higher end budget, I feel more comfortable recommending a DC Pump if you want the features that a DC Pump has. The best DC Pump that won’t break the bank and is not cheap Chinese junk are the Reef Octopus Varios DC Pumps. Other options on the AC side would include the Fluval SP, Sicce SDC, and Rossmont Pumps. Check out our best aquarium return pump post for more details on pump picks.

My Recommended Picks

I have provided a good chuck of information and you may be wondering what my recommendation is. If you are going with a hang-on overflow box setup, I would recommend the CPR overflow box, an aqualift pump, and a Fluval SP or Syncra as your return pump.

If you are going with a drilled setup, you can’t go wrong with the Eshopps Eclipse overflow, but the Fiji Cube overflow box is a killer design and price. There are others out there, but they are far more expensive and the Eshopps Eclipse or Fiji Cube will serve the vast majority of aquarists. If you are going with a DC pump, it’s pretty much the Reef Octopus Pump or something far more expensive unless you are okay with purchasing multiple Jebeo pumps and having them ready on hand to replace as they tend to fail prematurely.

Closing Thoughts

I hope I have provided you a wealth of information to make an informed decision. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions. Thanks for reading!

---

🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

Reef salt mix is one of those decisions that quietly affects everything in your tank — alkalinity swings, coral growth, and even equipment longevity. I’ve mixed and tested a lot of these for my 125-gallon reef over the years, and the differences between brands are more significant than most beginners realize. Some are dead-on consistent batch to batch; others drift enough to cause problems. Here’s what I’ve found actually holds up.

Are you struggling with finding a quality reef salt mix?

In this blog, we share the best salt mix products for reef tanks, from those designed for high end reefs to basic salts meant for fish only tanks.

With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their salt mix decisions (and believe me, there are so many mixes out there). I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best reef salt maxes on the market.

The Top Picks

It really depends on what corals you are planning to keep. There is a quick list for you depending on your needs below:

• Best Beginner Reef Salt – Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
• Best Mixed Reef Salt – Brightwell NeoMarine
• Best SPS Heavy Reef Salt – Tropic Marin Pro Salt

The Candidates

Now let’s talk about the reef salt mix candidates themselves. Below is a list of the best reef salt mixes available today.

Picture	Name	Best For	Link
Editor’s Choice!	Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt	SPS Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy on Amazon
Best Value	Brightwell Aquatics Neomarine Salt	SPS Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Budget Option	Instant Ocean Reef Crystals	Mixed Reefs	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Premium Pick	Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt	SPS Tanks	Click For Best Price
	Red Sea Coral Pro Salt	SPS Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Instant Ocean Sea Salt	Fish Only Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Fritz Reef Pro Mix	LPS & Mixed Reefs	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon

The 7 Top Reviews (Updated 2023)

Now let’s go into detail and see why each mix was picked

1. Tropic Marin Pro – For SPS Tanks

Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt is the best salt mix you can purchase for your reef tank available on the market today – period. It is formulated with pharmaceutical level ingredients and one of the fully synthetic salt mixes on this list (Brightwell being the other).  

Tropic Marin is a brand you may not see regularly at the local fish store or chain stores, but they have been a major name brand all across the world, particularly in Europe. 

The pro reef salt has the most ideal big three parameters for SPS tanks. The parameters out of the boxes are perfect and makes it very safe to make water changes so you don’t have to worry about swings when you make a water change. The stability and quality control of this mix makes this pretty much a must for those with the most demanding corals like Acroporas.

It’s the one of most expensive marine salts on the list, but if you have prized designer SPS corals, Tropic Marine Pro is what you will want in your reef aquarium.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 8.5 DKH
• Calcium – 450 PPM
• Magnesium – 1380 PPM

Pros

• Pharmaceutical level ingredients 
• Perfect big 3 parameters out of the box
• Guarantees ALL 70 trace elements found in seawater 
• Great quality control and brand name

Cons

• Expensive
• Hard to find locally

Best For: SPS Tanks

2. Brightwell Aquatics Neomarine – The Choice For Worldwide Corals

I’ve recommended Brightwell Aquatics products in the past like their Neophos and Mircobacter 7. The founder of Brightwell is the former owner of Kent Marine and their products are extensively researched and tested over a multi-year period. The Brightwell NeoMarine Salt is so well regarded, that it is the reef salt of choice for World Wide Corals, one of the major coral sellers in the United States. 

Brightwell Aquatics NeoMarine Salt not only has all the essential elements of a salt mix, but also does not have anti-caking agents. Anti-caking agents tend to turn your saltwater holding buckets and vats brown over time. What I feel separates NeoMarine from other salt mixes aside from their research and efforts are the parameters of the salt.

Many reef mixes you will see on this list will have evaluated Alkalinity. NeoMarine has a lower Alkalinity, which is great for SPS tanks. SPS tanks need to have extremely stable levels in the aquarium and having a mix with evaluated ALK can be catastrophic as the Alkalinity levels can spike after a water change. This mix is perfect as you can dose to 7.5 – 8.0 and not worry about a water change completely throwing off your key parameters. 

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 7.5 DKH
• Calcium – 413 PPM
• Magnesium – 1290 PPM

Pros

• Low ALK is perfect for SPS tanks
• Salt mix package is measure at 35 PPM – you will actually get the volume stated on the box
• Used by big coral dealers

Cons

• Expensive
• Low ALK can be a disadvantage for those who don’t dose (e.g. – nanoreef tanks)
• Hard to find locally

Best For: SPS Tanks

3. Instant Ocean Crystals – Budget Friendly

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt is the budget friendly reef salt for many of us with reef tanks. It is also the most readily available reef salt on the market so if you are in a rush or bind it’s very easy to get locally even from a chain pet store. It’s the same quality and field tested Instant Ocean salt we are familiar with the industry, but with a better formula designed for mixed reef tanks.

There are many incredible looking reef tanks that use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and you will save some money using it over the other brands. There are a few cons here though. The first thing is the anti-caking agents in the salt mix. If you keep water changing stations or store saltwater there is a high likelihood that the agents will eventually encrust your containers with brown crud. This is really annoying to clean and can lead you to having to replace containers.

The other issue is the evaluated alkalinity of the mix. Instant Ocean Reef Crystals can be as high as 13, which can be disastrous to an SPS tank after a water change. This salt will work great for softy and LPS tanks that can take the swings better, but you run the risk of problems after water changes with this mix with sensitive SPS corals like Acros.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 13 DKH
• Calcium – 490 PPM
• Magnesium – 1440 PPM

Pros

• Cheap for a reef salt mix
• Readily available everywhere
• Great quality control and proven field results

Cons

• High alkalinity makes this not safe for Acro heavy tanks
• Anti-caking agents

Best For: Mixed Reef Tanks

4. AquaForest Probiotic – The Only One That Is ICP Tested

AquaForest has been quietly making a name for itself in the reef industry. They started in Europe in the late 1990s and recently entered into the US Market. With brand names like Instant Ocean and Red Sea dominating online and Fritz’s presence at local fish stores, AquaForest is unknown to most hobbyist.

However, this is the best salt money can buy today. Every batch is ICP tested. In fact, you can look up the test results online with every salt bucket you purchase. The owner of AquaForest uses all his products on his tanks. If you have seen his Instagram channel, you can see how incredible his tanks look.

It is very expensive and hard to find locally, but if you have designer SPS corals, this is the reef salt to buy. It doesn’t make the #1 pick because of its price, not because of its quality.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 8.3 DKH
• Calcium – 460 PPM
• Magnesium – 1360 PPM

Pros

• All salt batches ICP tested
• Probiotics
• Great field results

Cons

• Expensive
• Hard to find locally

Best For: SPS Tanks

5. Red Sea Coral Pro – Made From the Actual Red Sea

Red Sea Coral Pro Salt is about as close as you can get from natural sea water from how they formulate their mix. The salt is collected from the Red Sea. This produces an all natural eco-friendly mix that is one of the best mixes in the industry. You can learn more about their process in the video below: 

Red sea coral pro salt is one of the more trusted mixes used by frag sellers and SPS stick heads. There are actually two mixes Red Sea sells. The pro mix has higher alkalinity while the regular Red Sea mix has lower alkalinity. Both work great, but I would lean on the regular mix if you have a heavy SPS tank for better Alkalinity stability. 

The main issue with the Red Sea Coral Pro is its availability.  Chain stores do not carry it and you will mostly see higher end local fish stores that specialize in marine livestock carry them.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 12.2 DKH
• Calcium – 450 PPM
• Magnesium – 1340 PPM

Pros

• Naturally harvested
• Two choices with regular and pro depending on what alkalinity you desire
• Great quality control and brand name

Cons

• Expensive
• Hard to find locally

Best For: SPS Tanks

6. Instant Ocean – Top Choice For Fish Only Tanks

Instant Ocean Sea Salt is the most used sea salt in the world. Used by hobbyists, public aquariums, and research facilities. Instant Ocean has been a mainstay in the industry for over 50 years. They have created the benchmark for the industry and quality control standards. No other salt on the market has the history and field results of proven usage then the Instant Ocean brand.

That being said, Instant Ocean Sea Salt is made for fish only tanks. It does not have the evaluated levels and trace elements that Reef Crystals have. However, it is a great aquarium salt mix for those with fish only, fish only with live rock, and soft coral dominated tanks. The mix also has anti-caking agents which will turn your buckets and holding vats brown over time with crud making non-ideal to use for those who like to store saltwater.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 11 DKH
• Calcium – 400 PPM
• Magnesium – 1350 PPM

Pros

• Cheap
• Readily available everywhere
• Great quality control and proven field results

Cons

• Lacks evaluated levels and elements for hard coral heavy reef tanks
• Anti-caking agents

Best For: Fish Only Tanks

7. Fritz Pro Mix – Readily Available Quick Mixing Product

If you follow reef YouTubers around, you likely have heard of Fritz Reef Pro Mix. Fritz has a big marketing machine that sponsors a lot of YouTubers and they tend to be everywhere at the local fish stores. While they are everywhere, this is not the best reef salt mix on the list. It’s mostly on here because it’s so readily available at local fish stores and they regularly go on sale where you can purchase boxes at huge discounts.

The main advantage with Fritz Reef Pro Mix is that it mixes very fast. I would say the mix time is around that of Brightwell’s product. For a mixed reef and smaller reef tanks I would say this is a great salt mix for you. However, if you are serious about Acropora corals, I would steer away from this mix.

This is because it is well documented that Fritz has had quality control issues in the past. When they first went to market, there were some batches with different Alkalinity numbers. I have also seen a few mixes that have failed ICP tests with several parameters being too low. Given those reasons, I would not recommend this mix for Acroporas.

It is readily available at the local fish stores and online though, meaning you won’t have to worry about getting your normal salt mix in a pinch if you need to get it locally.

Specs:

• Alkalinity – 8.0 – 8.5 DKH
• Calcium – 400-450 PPM
• Magnesium – 1300-1400 PPM

Pros

• Quick mixing and no caking agents
• Readily available online and locally
• Tends to go on sale locally

Cons

• Expensive
• Bad quality control history

Best For: LPS and Mixed Reef Tanks

How To Chose A Mix

This is where we start getting into details. What type of tank do you have and making sure you dose to what your salt mix is. There are even tanks where people do not dose, so a mix with evaluated parameters will make the most sense for those people. Nano reef tanks are good candidates for a salt mix with higher parameters since they sometimes are not dosed as they rely on water changes to get parameters back up.

Pro Tip – Pick One Closest To Your Ideal Parameters

This relates most to reef tank owners. Every tank has different needs depending on the type of corals you have. For example, SPS corals like Acropora are going to need different parameters and trace elements vs. say a softie tank. Softie and LPS tanks can tolerate more swings so going with a mix with a high alkalinity isn’t going to hurt you.

However, for a Acropora heavy tank, many reefers like to keep their alkalinity lower in order to keep it more stable and closer to natural sea water. Then there is fish only and fish only with live rock (FOWLR) setups. Fish only saltwater aquariums are not going to need an expensive or advanced salt mix so a budget mix will do the job. Same can be said with a FOWLR tank.

Synthetic Versus Mined Reef Salt Mixes

In the list I’m going to provide you will see that I label each marine salt for you as synthetic or mined. Mined reef salt mixes come from the mined evaporated natural seawater ocean deposits. Others will be pulled from the ocean like Red Sea Salt. There is also mainly synthetic made salt, which tends to be very popular in Europe. Salt mixes that are mostly or 100% synthetic represent some of the highest quality and most expensive reef salt mixes in the market.

Aquarium Mix Parameters And Major Elements

Let’s talk about the main parameters that make up a reef salt mix.

• Calcium – This is the major foundation of the reefs. Through a process called biominealization, corals skeletons are created. Without calcium, hard corals cannot continue to build and maintain their skeletons.
• Alkalinity – Alkalinity is related to pH but also gives us awareness of available bicarbonate in our tanks. Without a stable alkalinity level, our corals will not have the fuel to build their skeletons. Stable alkalinity will also prevent pH fluctuations. Calcium and Alkalinity closely relate to each other as dosing calcium will reduce alkalinity so keeping a balance is essential if you are having to dose elements. This is why two-part solutions are so common in reef aquariums.
• Magnesium – Magnesium is the catalyst of the reef. They ensure alkalinity, calcium, and various reef foundation elements can interact with each other. It doesn’t need to be dosed as often, but if it is out of wack, the your corals tend to start suffering.

There are many other trace elements I can discuss, but for most aquarists, these are the big 3 we concern ourselves with and test for in our reef tanks.

FAQs

Below is a list of common questions I get asked. Hopefully, these answer your questions.

Conclusion

I hope this article helps with figuring out what salt mix works best for you. I always recommend to my clients that they need to dose their tank to their salt mix. So follow the target parameters listed on the mixes and dose to those levels. You do not have to follow that guideline if you purchase a mix with an evaluated level of Alkalinity, but you will likely want to still regularly check your levels and make sure you do not drop below 8 DKH. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. Thanks for reading.

---

🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

Flow is one of the most underrated factors in reef keeping, and wavemakers are where I see beginners and experienced hobbyists alike make expensive mistakes. I’ve run powerheads and wavemakers in my 125-gallon reef across several brands, and the difference in coral polyp extension and detritus suspension is very real. Getting the right flow pattern matters as much as the GPH rating. Here’s what I’ve found works best.

Are you struggling with finding a quality aquarium wavemaker?

In this blog, we share the best wavemaker offerings, from no wire in tank products to gyres. Even some that can run off your phone!

With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their water flow woes. I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best aquarium wavemaker on the market.

The Top Picks

I have listed a lot of wave maker choices that fit multiple budgets and needs, but you may be wondering what we suggest. Since everyone needs are different, we have the following recommendations based on the criteria below:

• Best Aquarium Wave Maker For Budgets – Hydor Koralia
• Best Aquarium Wave Maker For Aesthetics – EcoTech MP Series
• Best Aquarium Wave Maker For Overall Water Flow – IceCap Gyre
• Most Reliable Wavemaker – Tunze Nanostreams
• Quietest Wavemaker – Current USA EFlux

The Candidates – A Quick Comparison

All these wave makers meet several of the factors I was desiring (more on that further in the article), but not all (as a wave maker that does meet these all would be expensive!). I’ll go through each aquarium wave maker listed below and provide you with the in-depth details below.

Picture	Name	Power Type	Link
Editor’s Choice!	Ecotech MP Series Wavemakers	DC	Click For Best Price
Best Value	IceCap Gyre Series	DC	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Budget Option	Jabeo SOW Series Wavemakers	DC	Buy On Amazon
	Current USA EFlux Wavemakers	DC	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Hydor Koralia Wavemakers	AC	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Fluval Sea CP Series Wavemakers	AC	Buy On Amazon
	Maxspect Gyre XF Series	DC	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Sicce Voyager Wavemakers	AC	Click For Best Price
	Sun Sun JVP Series Wavemakers	AC	Buy On Amazon
	Tunze Nanostream	AC	Click For Best priceBuy On Amazon

The 10 Best Aquarium Wavemaker Reviews (2023 Update)

Let’s go into full depth about why these wave makers made the list!

1. EcoTech MP – The Choice For Professional Installers

If you are looking to do a professional looking aquarium setup whether fresh or saltwater, the EcoTech MP Series Wavemakers are the wave makers to look for. EcoTech’s patented mag drive technology supplies power to the wave maker outside of the aquarium. This means that this is the ONLY wave maker on the market that has the wire outside of the fish tank. This is an amazing feature for someone looking to have an extremely clean and professional looking aquarium with no wires in the aquarium.

It’s not just the wire, but the features of the MP Wave maker that makes this a great buy. The wave maker is loaded with various wave making settings and pairs easily with a controller or independently off EcoTech’s new Mobius system. EcoTech also sells their own power outage supply solution that will power the MP Series for several days in the event of a power outage. That’s one comprehensive package!

You can have all this for one hefty price. Next to the MaxSpect Gyre, this is one of the most expensive wave makers on the list. EcoTech also snubs you with a 1 year warranty. Really something this expensive should have a 2 to 3 year warranty.

Given its unique features however, it not hard to see what many professional installers and custom aquarium makers turn to this when it comes to making a showstopping fish tank.

Pros

• Wire is outside of the aquarium – ideal for professional level setups
• Lots of control with Reef Link or Aquarium Controller
• Has it’s own power outage solution available

Cons

• Very expensive!
• Only a 1 year warranty

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums and high end freshwater systems

2. IceCap Gyre – Great Value!

The IceCap Gyre is the first gyre pump on the list. What is a gyre you say? A gyre is a water pump that is based on crossflow technology. Compared to traditional powerheads or wave makers, a gyre pump provides superior wave generating performance.

The result of a gyre is that there are virtually no dead spots, evenly distributed water flow in the aquarium, and water moves back and forth to create full circulation or a “gyre.”

The Ice Cap gyre is an entry level model. It starts off at a pretty reasonable price given that the icecap 2K model and easily handle a 36″ fish tank. It comes with a controller and there is an IceCap battery backup system that works well with it so you have a ready made solution for a power outage ready to go.

The main disadvantage of a gyre over an aquarium wave maker is they require more maintenance to keep in optimal running shape. They are pretty big as well compared to a tiny wave maker. They are louder than some of the wave maker on the list. If noise isn’t an issue, this is a value water circulation system that is worth a look. See full review.

Pros

• Great innovative technology that eliminates dead spots
• Great value as even a 2K gyre can handle a 36″ long fish tank
• Readily available power back up solution available

Cons

• Big and bulky
• Requires more maintenance
• Louder than other wave makers on this list

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums

3. Jebao SOW Series Flow Pump – Value Priced and Silent

The Jebao SOW Wave Maker Flow Pump is the newest model DC wavemaker from Jebao. There are various other models from Jebao so I have listed the most recent edition. The main feature of the SOW Flow Pump is the Sine Wave technology. What is the Sine Wave technology? Sine Wave makes the DC converter more stable and as a result the pump generates less noise. This new model from Jabeo truly competes with the name brand wave makers on the list with a nearly unbeatable price and dead silent operation.

The controller has a lot of wave maker options and a feed mode. Jabeo also sells a ready made battery backup so you are good to go with a complete battery backup solution.

The main disadvantage with these Jabeo pumps is their reputation. The past models are not the most reliable with pumps burning out early and the controllers often failing. If you can purchase the unit with an extended warranty, it’s highly recommended that you do that. The silver lining is these wave makers are fairly cheap for a DC wavemaker so some hobbyist do consider these disposable.

Pros

• Sine Wave tech makes these VERY quiet
• Lots of features on the controller
• Great price

Cons

• Jabeo reputation

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums

4. Current USA eFlux – Integrates With Loop LED and Dead Silent!

We start off this list with a great entry by Current USA and their EFlux Wavemakers. The Current USA EFlux comes in several options from a flow rate of 660 gallons per hour all the way up to a flow rate of 2100 gallons per hour. The main feature here is that they are part of Current’s Loop system, which are integrated with each other. It works seamlessly with the Current USA’s Best Reef LED offering – the Loop LEDs.

I have personally used this system and can attest to their extremely quiet operation. My experience with Current USA has also been top notch with them going out of their way on warranty claims. The price isn’t that bad either! You can either purchase the EFlux with the controller or in the EFlux accessory wave pump package which comes without a controller.

So what is there not to like? Well, the wave maker options are pretty limited. It only comes with 3 wave maker modes, stream, pulse, and gyre. Gyre can only be used if you pair it with another EFlux wave maker and the manifold will only support 3 wave makers so this can be a problem for larger fish tanks or high water flow setups. Overall, this is a great first entry on the list!

Pros

• Integrates with Current USA Loop LED for an all in one controller
• Current USA’s customer service is top notch
• VERY Quiet

Cons

• Limited wave maker options
• Gyre mode only works with 2 pumps synced together
• Manifold only supports 3 wave makers

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums

5. Hydor Koralia – Great Choice, Reliable and Cheap

The Hydor Koralia Wavemaker was and still is a very popular wave maker. It was the original wave maker on the market that brought about many of these other units. It is a trusted wave maker by many old school reefkeepers. It has only become less popular with the explosion of DC powered wave makers and all their controllable features. It is still very much considered as a nano aquarium circulation pump.

The Hydor Koralia wave maker uses proven AC technology. It’s really a plug and forget system with how long the model has been around. It has the ability to adjust 180 degrees, which beats out many competitor wave makers that can only adjust up and down. This is a great option if you are planning to place a wave maker in the corner of an aquarium.

Because it’s not a DC wave maker, it lacks a lot of the controllable features of them. However, Hydor also had one of the first wave maker controller accessories. If you purchase their wavemaker controller, you will have the control you want with the AC reliability. My only complaint if you purchase the wave maker and the controller is that is louder than some DC wave makers like the Current USA. I usually deal with noise levels being a major factor for installs. It’s the main reason I do not use them for residential installs.

Pros

• Attractive price
• Proven AC technology
• 180 degree adjust-ability

Cons

• Not controllable on its own
• Louder than some DC pumps

Best For: Freshwater/Saltwater Aquariums

6. Fluval Sea CP – Hagen Finally Gets Serious About The Marine Hobby

Hagen, the parent company of Fluval has been a big name brand in the freshwater industry for decades. When they got serious about saltwater aquarium keeping with their new Fluval Sea brand, the industry started listening. The Fluval Sea CP Wavemakers are Fluval’s first serious dive into a competent wavemaker that works for saltwater tanks. It has the trusted European engineering that we all know and love from Hagen and the great prices that go with Hagen’s extremely vast network of distribution.

This is also the first AC powered wavemaker on the list. AC powered wavemakers in general can be more reliable than DC powered aquarium wavemakers because the technology has been well established and there are less failure points to consider when you just plug a wavemaker in without a power supply or controller.

The main thing I will shame Hagen for is using a suction cup. A magnet suction cup base would have been well appreciated. As with most AC wavemakers, there are no adjustable functions or modes, so you will have to purchase a separate wavemaker accessory to get adjustability with it.

Pros

• Hagen brand name
• Great price
• AC powered = proven reliable technology

Cons

• Uses a regular suction cup instead of a magnet suction cup base
• Bulky
• Not adjustable or controllable (unless you purchase a wavemaker controller)

Best For: Freshwater/Saltwater Aquariums

7. Maxspect Gyre XF Series – The Advanced Gyre for Advanced Reefers

The Maxspect Gyre XF Series is the newest 3rd generation Gyre. This new generation gyre has been re-engineered so there are less parts and more intuitive assembly for easier maintenance. The most noticeable upgrade to these new gyres have detachable water flow directors that allow you to place the pump closer to the surface of the aquarium. These gyres still work with the CV6 controller from CoralVue so if you are looking to upgrade your previous version you don’t have to purchase another controller.

This is a gyre loaded with features, which is expected from a premium level product. It commands a premium level price tag. It’s worth the money if you are building a high end system.

Pros

• Great features
• Can be mounted higher than other gyres
• The quietest gyre on the market

Cons

• Expensive
• Still large and bulky compared to wavemakers

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums

8. Sicce Voyager – Italian Made Reliability

Sicce is best known for their protein skimmer pumps. Their skimmer pumps are the gold industry in the saltwater aquarium community. These Sicce Voyager Wavemakers are made of the same engineering quality of the famous skimmer pumps.

The Italian made pump results is an extremely reliable pump that will last years in your aquarium. It also has the added advantage of being AC powered pump, which makes it will lack the failure points of a controller or power supply. Sicce also sells a Wave Surfer accessory, which will give you the added control-ability that you would get with a DC aquarium wave maker.

Because you are working with a high quality Italian maker, there is an added cost for this pump. It is the most expensive AC wavemaker on the list, but you can assure yourself that you will get years of reliable service with this wavemaker. Outside of that, I personally think they look a little ugly and bulky, but I believe most people will see past that.

Pros

• Italian made quality and engineer
• AC powered = more reliability
• Sicce makes their own aquarium wave maker accessory for extra controllability

Cons

• Bulky and ugly looking
• Expensive for an AC wavemaker

Best For: Freshwater/Saltwater Aquariums

9. SunSun JVP – Cheap, cheap, and CHEAP! The cheapest choice for those on a budget!

If you are looking for a wave maker that is dirt cheap, the SunSun JVP Wavemakers are what you are looking for. Easily the cheapest aquarium wave maker on the list. The SunSun JVP wake maker is so cheap, I have no clue how the manufacturer even makes money on these when you add in shipping costs. Regardless, these are powerful and cheap wavemakers and are well suited for those on tight budgets.

These are offered in a few GPH (gallons per hour) options, and several packages you will see online will actually come with 2 units, which is great knowing that you should expect these units not to last. The pumps are so cheap, you can nearly disregard the durability concerns. I still wouldn’t personally use them on my display tanks, but I do use them for my mixing stations and when making water changes. Their value really can’t be beat.

Pros

• Insanely cheap
• Powerful flow rate with lots of GPH (gallons per hour) options

Cons

• Chinese quality = expect them not to last
• Loud compared to other wavemakers on this list
• Suction cup instead of magnet

Best For: Mixing stations and budget aquariums

10. Tunze Nanostreams – The Most Reliable On The Market.

Would you like to purchase an aquarium wave maker and never worry about it for the next 10 years? That is how anything Tunze designed is made and these Tunze Nanostreams are no exception. With the explosion of cheap Chinese made pumps flooding our aquarium industry, Tunze has quietly designed the most reliable and functional wavemaker on the market. The design is so well made, they haven’t even bothered to release a new generation model in ages!

Tunze is simply the Eheim of the saltwater industry. Well known for creating products that last the test of time. They just do not market a lot, but anyone with years in the industry can attest to their name brand quality.

This particular model comes equipped with it’s own controller that provides a good amount of functionality. The wavemaker itself can rotate a full 180 degrees just like the Hydor. If you want to go with DC power, Tunze sells a DC Nanostream Version as well that is even more powerful and feature rich. It’s really too bad that EcoTech has that patent on their mag drive tech because Tunze’s reliability is way better.

That really is my only gripe with these pumps. They look old because they haven’t been updated in ages and the wire is inside the aquarium. They are big and bulky and easily show in your aquarium. Tunze does sell a rock mount accessory, but it doesn’t mean much as you still have to figure out what to do with the wire inside the fish tank.

This is the most reliable pump maker period. If you want a pump to last forever, get a Tunze. You will thank me later.

Pros

• Incredible reliability
• Highly adjustable control
• 360 adjustability
• AC or DC powered versions available

Cons

• Big and bulky looking
• Expensive

Best For: Saltwater Aquariums

Factors to Consider When Buying (Our Criteria)

It can be overwhelming to find the right aquarium wave maker for you. I have compiled a list of the best ones in the market using the following criteria:

• Price – Some wavemakers are extremely cheap while others are very expensive.
• Warranty – A manufacturer that makes a reliable wave maker backs up their aquarium wave makers with a solid warranty.
• Durability – What are the field tested stories of these units. Have they been running for years or do they break every 6 months. If they break easily, are they cheap enough for you to consider disposable?
• Safety – This is not so much of a concern with AC powered wave makers, but DC powered wave makers have their own power supply. You will want to make sure the power supply has a water tight seal at the connect point and that the unit has either a ETL or UL rated. ETL or UL rating ensures that your insurance covers an accident that may occur.

How To Install

Wave makers are extremely easy to install. Depending on whether you have a suction cup model or a magnetically attached model the install with differ slightly. With suction cups, you simple stick them to the aquarium glass/acrylic. They may have a knob or tab you can use to add in additional suction power, but that is really all there is to it.

For magnets, it’s even easier as you stick the dry side magnet on the outside of the aquarium and put the wet side magnet on the inside of the fish tank. Once the wet and dry end do their thing, all you need to do to adjust the height of the wave maker is to hold the dry and wet side as you move the wave maker to the position you desire.

Now choosing the best location for your aquarium wave maker is a bit of a complex topic. I’m going to focus on saltwater aquariums since water flow matters so much for corals. Here is a wonderful video from Current USA explaining the best position and flow to use with corals in a reef aquarium:

Benefits of Use

You may have seen traditional powerheads at your local fish store or pet chain store, so let’s talk about why you should consider a wave maker over a powerhead.

Natural Water Flow

An aquarium wavemaker produces a more natural looking flow pattern that replicates nature. A traditional powerhead is a sharper and fixed stream of flow that can be disruptive to fish or corals. It’s easier to get good water movement at the waterline with a wavemaker, which will work to eliminate surface scum that can accumulate at the top of the waterline.

Ideal for Corals and Invertebrates In Your Saltwater Tank

Corals in a reef tank demand variable as well as consistent flow. Some of them demand a rather high amount of flow that you are only going to get with a wave maker. You can easily purchase wave makers that can produce a flow rate of over 2,500 gallons per hour of flow with various settings. These settings are made to replicate nature and make your corals thrive. Invertebrates such as anemones will also benefit from the flow from these wave makers.

Eliminates Dead Spots

Wavemakers like Gyres are ideal for removing dead spots due to their design of covering all levels of the fish tank. You can also achieve this with multiple wavemakers. In freshwater, this ensures that oxygen is evenly distributed in the fish tank. In saltwater, this ensures constant flow and prevents detritus and cyanobacteria from growing in dead spots.

Ideal Power Outage Solutions for Larger Tanks

We do not like talking about it, but being prepared for a power outage is a big deal as it is one of the major reasons for a tank crash. In larger fish tanks, battery powered air pumps will not get the job done completely. This is where a DC powered wavemaker comes into play. Because they use so little power, they can be hooked to uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) and run for several hours. Some manufacturers actually make their power outage solutions, allowing the unit to run for several days!

Different Types

If you are new to the hobby, you may be confused what are the different types of pumps and why they so different. There are actually 4 types of aquarium pumps in the hobby and not all are suited for wavemaking:

• Filtration Pumps – These are the pumps you will usually see on power filters. They are designed to create a high water pressure stream and have an impeller to resist back pressure. It has a higher energy consumption demand. As a stand alone pump, it is not suited for wavemaking
• Circulation Pumps – Also known as return pumps or an aquarium flow pump. These pumps are made to pump water from one area to another. For example, from a sump to a main display tank. They are made to be placed on the bottom of a sump or externally depending on the model. They are not right for wavemaking
• Powerheads – These are the traditional powerheads of old. These are what us old timers used to use. They produce a narrow, high pressure water flow. They sometimes come with diffusers to soften the water blast and they are not suited to be controlled with a wavemaker controller that would turn it on and off. They are also notorious for sucking up small fish because of their design. Some powerheads like the MJ1200 are extremely reliable units.

AC vs DC – Knowing the Differences

Before we go over all the wavemakers, I should explain the differences between AC and DC Wavemakers. AC wavemakers are based on old technology and are really plug and play. The big name brands like Fluval and Hydor, built their AC wavemakers on high quality and proven parts and engineering. This means AC wavemakers are extremely reliable and less prone to failure. On the budget side of things, AC wavemakers are going to be cheaper than DC wavemakers. For large fish tanks, they will be louder and they will consume more energy. They may not be ideal as a power outage solution because of the power needed to run them.

DC Wavemakers are the new technology on the block. They offer decreased energy consumption, which is a big deal for larger fish tanks and reef tanks that require a ton of flow. They can produce more gallons per hour than most AC wavemakers and for the most part they can be more silent – to the point of being dead quiet. They have the ability to be programmed with controllers and many come with their own. These controllers provide a ton of customizable options for aquarists.

However, with all this new tech comes reliability issues. Many DC wavemakers unfortunately are made and built in China. This can provide several quality control issues, especially with budget DC wavemakers. DC Wavemakers have three failure points vs. one for an AC wavemaker. With DC wavemakers you have the controller, powersupply, and motor all as failure points. With AC wavemakers, all you have to worry about is the motor giving out.

What Do You Feel Are the Ideal Units?

I hope after this article you are able to see why wavemakers are superior to powerheads and what are the best wavemakers available. There is a best aquarium wave maker for everyone depending on your wants and budget. All of these can work for freshwater aquariums all the way up to reef tanks.  Please let us know in the comments your thoughts about which wavemakers have worked for you. Thanks for reading.

---

🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

An RODI unit was one of the best investments I made for my reef — tap water was the silent cause of my early nuisance algae problems, and switching to 0 TDS RO/DI water made a measurable difference within weeks. I’ve used several systems over the years and know what matters: membrane quality, DI resin capacity, and GPD output relative to your tank’s evaporation rate. Here’s what I recommend after years of making top-off water for a 125-gallon reef.

For those of us who who are going into reef keeping, a Reverse Osmosis Deionization (or RODI System) is essential for successfully keeping sensitive corals and inverts. Many of us start out with smaller tanks and purchasing RODI or fresh saltwater from our local fish store. While this will work for a time, once you get into larger tanks an RODI system is essential for success because you need more water to replace your evaporated water in your display tank and you will be conducting larger water changes. After a while, purchasing fresh saltwater will become expensive and risky in the event of an emergency.

Today’s post is all about awareness and providing options that work for a reef keeper. I will go through what is important to know when purchasing an RODI system, and go through several RODI systems that work for aquariums. Let’s get started :).

Why Do I Need A RODI System?

The main reason why a RODI water is so essential in a reef tank is because the water from our tap is loaded with impurities that will cause tons of nuisance algae blooms even when treated with water conditioners that you may be familiar with in freshwater systems.  

The main measure we use in the hobby for contaminants in tap water is total dissolved solids or TDS. TDS is a measurement that comprises of inorganic salts and organic matter that are dissolved in the water you are using. A high amount of TDS in your source water will means that you are directly feeding nurtients that algae loves, which means you will have a never ending battle of nuisance algae.

The gold standard for reef tanks is 0 TDS. Most tap water is going to produce anywhere from 150 – 400 TDS (yes it varies A LOT depending on where you live). Using a Reverse Osmosis system alone will likely get you down to 10-20 TDS, which much better but still is not acceptable for a reef tank.

This is why you will need a multi-stage RODI unit that has a proper deionization stage that will get you all the way down to 0 TDS. It is also very common for your local fish store to sell fresh saltwater with TDS of 3-5, which can cause some issues. Knowing that the local fish stores often time will not sell true 0 TDS water is the primarily reason why I just purchase a quality RODI unit for my aquariums.

The Best RODI System for Aquarium, Reef Tanks

Now that I explained why an RODI system is so essential, let’s talk about what are the best RODI systems. I have used a number of brands and models over the years and installed several of these systems for clients. The list here are a collection of brands and models I would trust and I have included models from multiple price ranges and needs.

In a hurry? I recommend SpectraPure MaxCap RODI Systems!

Picture	Name	Best For	Link
Editor’s Choice!	SpectraPure MaxPure RO/DI System	5 Stages Large Reef Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Best Value	LiquaGen 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Unit	5 Stages Display tanks over 55G	Buy On Amazon
Budget Option	Aquatic Life RO Buddie	4 Stages Nano Reefs & Apartments/Condos	Buy On ChewyBuy On Amazon
	AquaFX Barracuda RO/DI Aquarium Filter	4 Stages Display tanks over 55G	Buy On Amazon
	Kleanwater RODI	4 Stages Display tanks over 55G	Click For Best Price
	Spectrapure MaxCap RODI	4 Stages Display tanks over 55G	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	LiquaGen 0 TDS Aquarium Reef RODI Premium	6 Stages Large Reef Tanks and bad source water	Buy On Amazon
	Fountainhead Water Systems RO/DI Dual DI 75 GPD System	6 Stages Large Reef Tanks and bad source water	Buy On Amazon
	Ice Cap Smart 4 Stage 100GPD RO/DI	4 Stages Large Reef Tanks	Buy On Amazon

Our 2023 Reviews

Let’s dive into further detail and see what these units made the cut

1. SpectraPure MaxPure 180 GPD

For those of you with larger tanks and with demanding tanks, the SpectraPure 5 Stage 180GPD MaxCap line offers the pinnacle of RODI filtration. This unit is equipped with two 99% rejection rate RO membranes. That’s two of the best membranes in the industry. This 5 stage unit is also equipped with pressure gauges, dual TDS meters, and an upgraded DI resin.

The resin for this unit is two part. The first part is their Mega MaxCap DI and the finishing stage is the Enduro DI. Together, you get DI resin that has 4 times the capacity of typical competitor mixed bed DI cartridges. This unit runs so efficient you get a 2:1 waste ratio rate which will outperform nearly all RODI units on this list that will only produce a 3:1 waste ratio. This means you will save a little bit on water as well!

You would think that a con would be that this isn’t a 6 stage unit, but this RODI filter simply doesn’t need it as it runs that well. The only con here is you have to pay for the performance since as these command a premium price.

Great for: Large Reef Tanks 

2. LiquaGen 5 Stage Unit – With All The Necessities 

Not on our list is a 5 stage RODI system from LiquaGen that offers all the main features I kept putting cons for others on this list. This system has everything you will need to make 0 TDS water. It comes with a flush valve to extend the life of your membranes, a pressure gauge to ensure you water pressure is ideal, and a TDS meter so you know when you change your DI Resin.

This unit does command a higher price tag compared to the other budget models on this list, but it has everything you need. There is an option on the product page to go without the TDS meter and pressure gauge for a big discount, but having everything pre-installed is a time saver.

The unit only comes with a garden hose adapter. You may need to purchase additional accessories for a under the sink install. This is the best performance for dollar on the list

Great For: Large Reef Tanks

3. Aquatic Life RO Buddie – The Choice for College Students, Nano Reefers, and Apartment Residents

For those of you with small tanks, college students, and those who live in apartments, the Aquatic Life RO Buddie is the perfect choice for you! This unit comes in 50, 100, and 150 gallon per day options and all three options are very well priced. It is a compact unit that can easily be moved wherever you need without having to worry about permanently installing it someplace. 

Because it is a mobile RODI system, it is a bare bones unit. There is no pressure gauge, no TDS meter, and no flush valve. It also only comes with a garden hose adapter. Filters are also not universal so you’ll have to purchase Aquatic Life filter replacements.

Great for: Nano Tanks, college students, and apartment residents

4. AquaFX Barracuda – A Brand Name on a Budget

AquaFX is a long-standing manufacturer of RODI units for aquariums so the name brand is there. The main attraction is the simple build of the RODI unit and the 100 gallons per day (100 GPD) rating. Usually with budget units, you will have a GPD rating of 75 or less so this is a nice touch and you have the comfort of purchasing a unit that is from a maker that specializes in aquarium equipment.

With a budget unit, you usually have a few components missing however. The unit does not come with a TDS meter, so you either have to purchase a TDS meter or you will need to eye ball your RODI chamber for when the color starts changing. A flush valve is not included. A flush helps extend the life of the RO membrane and knowing how pricey these are to replace, getting the most life out of it is something you will want to maximize. There is also only a garden hose included in this package.

Great For: Display Tanks Over 55 Gallons

5. Kleanwater – From A Trusted Retailer

The Kleanwater RODI is a very well priced RODI unit that can fulfill the needs of most reefers. It is a 4 stage RODI unit equipped with a pressure gauge and a TDS meter, which ensures you will always have 0 TDS water.

This is a very well priced unit, but it is missing a flush valve that would extend the life of the RO membrane. Other than that, it would be the perfect 4 stage unit

Because this unit is made by Marine Depot, they offer a 15% discount on replacement filters for as long as you own the unit. Depending on how long you plan to stay in the hobby, that can save you a lot of money over time.

Great For: Display Tanks Over 55 Gallons

6. SpectraPure MaxCap – Name Brand and The Highest Quality Membranes Available!

Spectrapure is the name of choice when it comes to Reef Aquarium RODI units. This Company out of Arizona has been producing high-end RODI units with the best components in the market for many years now. So what makes them so great?

The main thing that SpectraPure offers is their membranes. Their membranes are far and above the best on the market with a 99% rejection rate that sets the industry standard for contaminate removal and membrane longevity. There is no RODI maker on the the market for in this industry that can offer this level of filtration.

SpectraPure’s primary 4 stage offering is the SpectraPure MaxCap RODI. Rated at 90 gallons per day, this unit has enough of a production rate to handle most reef systems. What you are getting with this brand is higher quality filtration stages. The membrane is the best in class and the maxcap carbon cartridge and silica buster DI are great features of the system. The maxcap systems are excellent for long life and insane pure water. Other brands will try to stuff other features or stages into their units, but this 4 stage unit has high end components that will easily compete with 5 and 6 stage units.

It’s a pricey system, but if you want the brand in the business, Spectrapure is where you need to go.

Great for: Large Reef Tanks

7. LiquaGen 0 TDS 6 Stage – The Most Comprehensive 6 Stage Unit On The List!

Looking for better than a 5 stage unit? This 6 stage RODI package from LiquaGen delivers! This is a complete 6 stage RODI system that includes a flush valve, pressure gauge, and TDS meter. Those are basic features that you get with this unit. It gets better though! This package comes with a booster pump that drives the gallons per day production to 150 gallons per day. That is the highest GPD rating on the list! This is the ultimate in filtration for those with high demand tanks, large reef tanks, and high TDS water.

The cons here? Well, you get what you pay for. It has a premium price tag attached to it. It like all LiquaGen filters, only comes with a garden hose adapter

Great For: Large Reef Tanks and bad source water

8. Fountainhead Water Systems – A Well Balanced, Comprehensive Offering!

The Fountainhead Water Systems RO/DI System is a comprehensive unit that offers a 6 stage filtration for a great price! This unit is loaded with all the necessary stages of a great 6 stage setup. Foundationhead water systems is not an aquarium specialized filtration, but a water filtration company that sells filtration units for homes. This unit is a variant that works that for reef tanks. They are an American based company there systems are American Made.

The are two flaws that I see with this unit, but both are easy to upgrade. A pressure valve and TDS meter is not included. If you upgrade your purchase with these two accessories, this is a perfect 6 stage unit for a incredible price! 

Great For: Large Reef Tanks and bad source water

9. IceCap Smart 4 Stage – A High End Unit Made for Reefers

The IceCap 4 Stage RODI unit is a high end RODI system made for reefers. The main feature this system has smart controller that offers an impressive range of features. The main feature is a timer mode, that prevents you from overflowing your wash room in the event you forget to turn off your unit. A booster pump is included, which is a substantial feature if you have a low water pressure residence. It has a 3 point TDS meter which measures before the filter, after the membrane stage, and after the DI stage. It’s easily the most accurate and high system on this list.

It also commands a premium level price. This is the most expensive RODI system on the list and it’s only a 4 stage not a 6 stage unit. You get what you pay for though!

Great for: Large Reef Tanks

Our Recommendations

There are a number of choices here, but I’m going to close this out with my top three:

• Budget Option – Aquatic Life Buddie
• Best RODI by Value – LiquaGen 5-Stage
• Best RODI by Overall Quality – SpectraPure MaxCap 5 Stage

What is the top choice for an Aquarium?

I determined based on multiple factors that the SpectraPure MaxPure series the best in the industry. But how did I determine that?

When it comes to RO/DI systems, there are A LOT of choices and the prices can get insane. You do not have to purchase the most expensive RO/DI unit out there. What you need to purchase is one that works for you. With that, it’s important you know what components make the best RO/DI systems.

Multi-Stage Units

This is the first must of any system. You will want an RO/DI unit that works through at minimum a 4 stage process. I’ll explain the process as illustrated by AquaFX below:

Most multistage systems will start with a sediment filter and carbon block as the first two stages of the system. A sediment filter removes silts and other large particulate matter that would clog the later stages and dirty up your water. The carbon block then removes organics with with chlorine and chloramines, which would damage the RO membrane.

The water is then moved to the RO membrane. This is the workhorse of the RODI system. Most RODI systems will remove 95% of impurities out of the tap water. These impurities would include things like salt, bacteria, heavy metals, and other organics that would be harmful to your livestock. Some membranes like Spectrapures, are even a higher quality and can remove up to 99% or impurities, but 95% is the typical standard.

You get to the final stage which is the deionization stage. this cartridge will remove the last of the impurities of the water giving you that 0 TDS gold standard source water that we as reefers look for.

This is your standard 4 stage RODI unit. There are others that will go 5 or 6 stages. Personally, the main upgrade I would be looking for would be multiple DI stages for stable 0 TDS as the the DI stage gets exhausted. A 6 stage system flowchart is shown below so you can see how these higher end systems work.

How To Setup

The most annoying thing I always found when purchasing these expensive units is the lack of instructions on how to go about installing one. Most people are likely going to install this unit in their wash room, so the best example to go off of is a video by Taylor Nicole Dean as she shows how to install this RODI system using a garden hose adapter.

Here’s an another video of a garage install from Reefbum. They installed an Spectrapure MaxCap Unit:

How Much Water Pressure Is Necessary?

In some homes, your water pressure may be too low for an RODI system to function properly. The RO water pressure gauge on your RODI unit will let you know if you have drops in water pressure. The main thing you want to watch out for is if your water pressure is below 50 PSI. RODI system work optimally at around 60 PSI. If your water line is pushes only say 30 PSI, you may want to consider an RO booster pump or checking your filter lines for clogs.

Maintaining Your Unit

Each stage of your RODI filters need to replaced in order to keep your system in optimial operation. If the system is not maintained regularly, the RODI system can produce less water and TDS could actually leak through the system. The great thing about RODI systems is they last for forever, being one of the most reliable systems and mainstays in your tank operations.

Sediment Prefilter

The ROD sediment prefilter needs to be replaced every six months or sooner for areas with higher TDS water (over 400).

Carbon Cartridges

With a used cartridge, your membrane will end up doing more work and may even develop bacterial growth in the chamber. This should be replaced every six months.

Reverse Osmosis Membranes

The workhorse of the system, this is the most important thing to change in your RODI unit aside from the DI resin. Usually these will need to be replaced every 9-12 months, but sometimes can go longer with a flush kit being used and cleaner source water. The best way to gauge this is to see what TDS is come out of the membrane stage. If you are getting a much higher number than what you are used to seeing, it may be time to replace the membrane. Dow Filmtec membranes and Spectrapure RO membranes are the best in the business. Just check with your RODI manufacturer to ensure they fit if you go with them.

Deionization Cartridge

The final stage of your system is the easiest to gauge when you need to change. This is because most resin you purchase will change color over time. You can also read your TDS meter and consider changing your DI resin once your TDS meter is reading 1-2 TDS. It will depend on your source water and rejection rate as to how long these will last. There are several DI resin available on Amazon with Lanxess DI Resin being the most consistent with reviews and they also ship fastest. SpectraPure Resin is considered the best in the business, but it’s most preferred to order them directly from them for the best price.

Closing Thoughts

I hope this blog post helps with deciding what RODI system works best for your needs and budget. Every unit I listed here serves a purpose for every tank setup and budget. You will not be disappointed with any of the filters on this list. These systems will delivery quality 0 TDS water and will offer years of service. I look forward to hearing about your success in the hobby with these excellent units. If you are shopping around for more equipment, check out our Best Protein Skimmer Reviews post so you can pick out a quality skimmer for your system. Thanks for reading.

---

🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.