Aqua Illumination Nero Powerheads & Orbit Pumps

5 AI Nero powerheads and Orbit cross-flow pumps — 2000 to 4000 GPH with full app control

Aqua Illumination's Nero powerheads put the whole pump inside the tank on a magnet mount with no external controller box, and run everything through the myAI app — flow modes, wave sync between pumps, feed mode and scheduling. The Nero 3 covers 2000 GPH, th... Read more Show less

Aqua Illumination's Nero powerheads put the whole pump inside the tank on a magnet mount with no external controller box, and run everything through the myAI app — flow modes, wave sync between pumps, feed mode and scheduling. The Nero 3 covers 2000 GPH, the Nero 5 3000 GPH and the Nero 7 4000 GPH. The Orbit 2 and Orbit 4 take a different approach, generating cross-flow across the length of the tank rather than a directed stream.

Vortech Powerheads

Wireless MP10, MP40 and MP60 wave pumps for reef flow

Aqua Illumination Powerheads

AI Nero powerheads and Orbit cross-flow pumps — 2000 to 4000 GPH with full app control

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Top Aqua Illumination Powerheads

Compare the strongest options in this collection at a glance.

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Nero 3 Powerhead (2000 GPH) - Aqua Illumination

Starting at $189.99

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Nero 5 Powerhead (3000 GPH) - Aqua Illumination

Starting at $249.99

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Orbit 2 Cross-Flow Pump - AquaIllumination

Starting at $299.99

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Orbit 4 Cross-Flow Pump - AquaIllumination

Starting at $349.99

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Answers

Aqua Illumination Powerheads FAQs

What’s the difference between the AI Nero and AI Orbit pumps?

The AI Nero series uses a propeller-style design to create broad, adjustable flow, ideal for general reef circulation. The AI Orbit is a gyre-style pump designed to push water across longer tanks, creating a horizontal sheet of flow that eliminates dead zones.

How do I control my Nero or Orbit pump?

Both Nero and Orbit pumps are controlled through the myAI or Mobius app. You can adjust flow strength, program schedules, set custom modes like pulse or random, and enable feed mode directly from your smartphone.

How often should I clean my Aqua Illumination pump?

It's best to clean the pump every 4–6 weeks. Soaking the wet side and impeller in a vinegar solution helps remove calcium buildup and keeps the pump running efficiently and quietly.

Can I mount the AI Orbit vertically or horizontally?

Yes. The Orbit is designed for flexible mounting and can be positioned horizontally along the tank wall for strong gyre flow or vertically for different circulation patterns, depending on your tank layout.

Do the Nero and Orbit pumps work with aquarium controllers?

Yes. Nero and Orbit pumps can be integrated with Hydros, Apex, and other aquarium controllers through compatible accessories or power management systems, allowing advanced automation alongside app-based control.

Dive deeper

Dive Deeper: Choosing an AI Nero Powerhead

Nero 3, 5 or 7?

Pump	Max flow	Typical tank
Nero 3	2,000 GPH	20–75 gallons
Nero 5	3,000 GPH	75–150 gallons
Nero 7	4,000 GPH	150+ gallons

Two smaller pumps almost always beat one large one. A single Nero 7 in a 6-foot tank creates a jet and a dead zone; two Nero 5s on opposite ends running an alternating wave pattern move the whole water column. Budget for the pair.

Nero vs. Orbit

Nero pumps produce a directed, adjustable stream — good for driving flow through rockwork and keeping detritus in suspension. Orbit 2 and Orbit 4 are cross-flow pumps, generating a broad sheet of movement along the front or back glass. Many tanks run both: Neros for turbulence in the rock, an Orbit for surface and front-glass movement.

App Control and Wave Modes

Everything runs through the myAI app — the same app that controls AI lighting, so a full AI setup lives in one place. Constant, pulse, surge, gyre and reef-crest modes are all available, plus scheduling and a feed mode that pauses flow. Pumps sync to each other wirelessly for alternating and synchronised wave patterns.

Placement Notes

Mount high and angle across, not down. Powerheads pointed at the sand blast a crater and starve the rest of the tank.
Keep the intake clear of the sand bed by at least four inches.
Clean the impeller and magnet housing quarterly. Coralline growth on the wet-side magnet is the most common cause of a Nero starting to rattle.
Do not run a new pump at 100% into an established coral layout. Ramp over a week and watch for tissue recession on anything now sitting in direct flow.