Free aquarium tool · updated May 2026

Aquarium Powerhead + Flow Calculator

Free powerhead and flow calculator. Enter tank size + livestock type, get target turnover (GPH) + recommended powerhead count and brand suggestions.

Reviewed by Fast Aquatics husbandry team·Updated May 2026

Total flow GPH + powerhead recommendations

How to use this calculator

Tank turnover (total water moved per hour รท tank volume) is a key spec for reef + cichlid tanks. Most return pumps provide ~5x turnover; the rest comes from in-tank powerheads.

Wave-mode powerheads (EcoTech MP, Maxspect Gyre, Tunze Turbelle) produce the random/pulse flow patterns reef coral and fish evolved with - far healthier than steady-stream powerheads of equal GPH.

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