By / August 18, 2020


Best Fish Tank Powerheads of 2020

We reviewed the best fish tank powerheads for all different use cases. Our top picks offer unique features and aspects that make them capable of covering your fish keeping needs.

Table Of Contents

Top 3 Aquarium Powerheads

Best Overall Powerhead

Hydor Koralia

One of the most common powerheads, the Hydor Koralia is a great get for your money. Durable, flexible, and not overly noticeable, it’ll get the job done.

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Best Large Tank Powerhead

Neptune Systems
WAV

Pricey but powerful, the Neptune WAV powerhead comes with features including multiple flow mode, a 40 degree rotation from its base, and magnets that will work with 1″ glass.

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Best Smallest Profile Powerhead

Aqua Illumination Nero 5

Super sleek with a 3000 gph power, the Aqua Illumination can hide away in your tank while circulating tons of water. Complete with a remote control, 4 flow modes, and a fish guard, this is a top of the line, but also more expensive, powerhead.

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Best Aquarium Powerheads of 2020

Why do I need a powerhead for my fish tank?

Powerheads help provide more of a current in your tank. This allows the fish to feel like they are actually in the ocean. The current from a powerhead also helps with keeping your aquarium clean, because dead spots are nice homes for bacteria and algae to grow. Almost all marine aquariums larger than nano tanks will need a powerhead or powerheads or some sort.

Factors To Consider for a Powerhead

Size Of Aquarium

The size of your aquarium will influence the type of powerhead you need as well as how many powerheads you need. The common measure of strength of a powerhead is gallons per hour (gph). Depending on who you ask, they will tell you you need to turn over your water 4-10 times per hour. That would mean in a 100 gallon tank, you would need 400-1000 gph of power in your powerheads. We recommend going closer to the 10x turnover, especially if you have an established tank with more mature fish.

Inhabitants of Aquarium

Depending on what you have in your tank will influence your need for powerheads. Certain types of invertebrates need current, so will need strong flow in your aqaurium. Certain types of fish (most marine fish actually) do better with current as well. Small fish can get overwhelmed though if the current is too strong throughout your entire tank, so make sure you take that into account.

Desired Look and Feel of Aquarium

Depending on how you want your aquarium to look, that will influence what type of powerhead you want to get. Some are definitely more noticeable than others, so make sure you know where you want to put your powerhead and what that will look like from your viewing area.

How many gph from my powerhead do I need?

On average, we think you need 10x turnover of your tank per hour, so if you have a 50 gallon tank, you would need a 500 gph powerhead (50 gallons x 10 turnover = 500 gph). The exact amount of turnover depends on a combination of how big your tank is, how much current you need, and what is in your tank. You will likely try a variety of combinations/powerheads throughout the life of your aquarium to get it exactly how you want it. In one of our aquariums, a 50 gallon, we started with the Hydor 425 gph, but quickly realized for our set up (rectangle standard tank with live rock), that simply was not enough flow. So I added a 800 gph SunSun JVP series, and the current is much better. Remember, fish keeping is trial and error, so be ready to try a few different types of powerheads. That’s also why we recommend starting cheaper with powerheads until you know exactly what you want.

Ohfishal’s Top 4 Fish Tank Powerheads

Hydor
Best Overall Powerhead

Hydor Koralia


Pretty quiet and coming in a nice cube shape, this Eshopps sump really gets the job done. You will need a small protein skimmer to fit into this nano sump, but that’s the point of nano, right? It even has a refugium, although that is also a little small and you may need to modify the water flow to it a little in order to get a stronger flow. That said, this well built cube sump is highly recommended when you are working with a smaller space. One drawback of the Hydor is it is tough to angle the head, so you’ll need to be able to point it straight at where you want it to circulate.

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Neptune WAV
Best Large Tank Powerhead

Neptune Systems WAV


A much pricier powerhead, the Neptune WAV really packs a punch. With up to 4000 gph flow, this is a great option for 100-200 gallon tanks. Relatively small for its power, you can also maneuver the head 40 degrees in all directions to get the best flow for your tank. Coming with multiple flow modes as well, this powerhead can justify the price tag, if you know how to use it.

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Nero 5 Submersible Wave Pump
Best Smallest Profile Powerhead:

Aqua Illumination Nero 5


Featuring 4 different flow types, a 3000 gph flow, a remote control, the ability to schedule your flows, and a fish guard, the Nero 5 is not lacking for features. It comes with all of that packed into a 2 inch by 2 inch frame, so you’ll hardly notice the pump. Plus, just as an added toy, enjoy your remote control to change settings from the comfort of your couch. One drawback, the head can only rotate 15 degrees, so make sure you can install it somewhere where it can point relatively straight.

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SunSun
Best Beginner Powerhead

SunSun JVP Series Powerhead


This powerhead, while large has a really strong flow. Be careful if you have smaller fish, as the opening is wide, but it will circulate lots of water, and do it quietly. Very easy to change the direction of the powerhead, the SunSun JVP series is a very budget conscious choice that is great for starting to figure out what you need.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Aquarium Powerheads

Where should I put my powerhead in my aquarium?

First, make sure to place you powerhead where the flow it circulates will have the greatest intended effect on the entire aquarium. You’ll likely have to play around with this to find that sweet spot in your fish tank. Secondly, try to hide your powerhead as best as possible. No one wants to look at a black pump, they want to see your species!

What is a powerhead for a reef tank?

A powerhead is something that circulates the water, creating current in your fish tank. This current helps the fish feel more natural like they are in the ocean, and it also helps circulate the water which aids in avoiding certain algae or bacteria.

Do I need a powerhead in my freshwater tank?

You don’t have to have one, but we recommend it. It will have the same positive effects in a freshwater tank as a marine tank, both helping your fish feel more at home, and aiding in fighting algae and bacteria.

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