2 Circulation pumps or 1 MP40

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Im caught in a paradox. See Ive got just enough money to buy One Vortech MP-40. But will One Be enough to get flow around my intricate rock work? Or should i go with two Circulation pumps on each side with a wave maker? Obviously the second option is much cheaper. And i know the Vortech pumps are awsome. But its still a lot of money. Looking for input, What would you do? How would you do it? Thank you in advance.

 

[mike_cmu04]

I would go with the one vortech they will move way more water than 2 pumps on a wave maker. They create a wave on their own that should move through all your rockwork

 

[The Punisher]

I'd go with one Vortech also, and if you can, aim your return at any potential dead spots.

 

[fcmatt]

As long as you get two quality power heads for each side that can move a lot of water...
those two pumps plus a wave maker may very well give you better water movement in more
areas then one mp40.

i have heard complaints from tank owners who have longer tanks that they feel that one
MP40 does not give them the coverage they desire so they end up buying another or adding
a traditional pump on the opposite side anyway.

there is a reason there is a mp40 package that includes two pumps if you know what i mean ;-)
it also seems that many users of vortech gear do not create waves like you see in all the
advertisement. they tend to use more turbulent settings from what i have read.

just my two cents. i have owned an mp40 and in a smaller tank it def moved water. i went
back to multiple smaller pumps though.

 

[The Punisher]

That's a good point on the length of the tank being an important factor. If you're putting this on your 125 long then I may have to reconsider my answer. What about 2 MP10's?

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

As long as you get two quality power heads for each side that can move a lot of water...
those two pumps plus a wave maker may very well give you better water movement in more
areas then one mp40.

i have heard complaints from tank owners who have longer tanks that they feel that one
MP40 does not give them the coverage they desire so they end up buying another or adding
a traditional pump on the opposite side anyway.

there is a reason there is a mp40 package that includes two pumps if you know what i mean ;-)
it also seems that many users of vortech gear do not create waves like you see in all the
advertisement. they tend to use more turbulent settings from what i have read.

just my two cents. i have owned an mp40 and in a smaller tank it def moved water. i went
back to multiple smaller pumps though.

This is what i was thinking. My tank is 72" long, thats 6 ft of water. Ive got some large rocks set up as two islands on both sides of the tank. I was thinking of putting two pump's one on each side under the rock shelves to blow out all the crap from under the rocks and get things flowing.

If the MP40 was cheap i would definatly go with it. But id hate to spend almost $500 bux to find out that the pump just does not do what i want it to do.

 

[solitude127]

I definitely wouldn't go with 2 circulation pumps. You don't want all that flow going through your sump because it'll cause a ton of micro bubbles into your DT. I do agree that 1 MP40 might not be enough to cover a 6ft tank. you could do 1 mp40 on one side and then a traditional PH on the other. and then when you save up enough money purchase another MP40.

 

[gasbatalla]

I agree with solitude. Buy an MP40 and a traditional pump also, and start saving for the other MP40. That is what I and doing also, got the first MP40 last Saturday. Placed it on 1 side and placed a 6025 on the other side, hopefully I will get the other MP40 in the next couple of months.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Well when i said circulation pump i ment like a hydor, or something comparable. Install them on a wave maker, save some bux and have two pumps, not just one.

Just wondering, how much is an mp-40 motor and wet side with out controler and where can you buy the motor seperate?

 

[JeF4y]

as well, I would recommend the MP40 with supplemental pump on the other end. Most people in a tank that big would use 2 MP40's. You should be able to get by with one and a larger Koralia or the like on the other end.

Putting traditional pumps on a wavemaker will quickly burn them up though. And if you buy pumps designed for wavemakers, you're going to be at the same price as the vortech which, hands down, has better water movement.

 

[lighthouze08]

one mp40 isn't going to cut it for your tank even if you turn it up to 100% . I had dead spots in my 4ft tank with one mp40 and had to get another mp10

 

[gasbatalla]

I understand what you mean. I had two koralias 2 running just before I switched them out this Saturday and they are pretty good for their price. But I just think the MP40 was a nice upgrade on the tank, it has different modes and the motor is on the outside so it doesn't heat the water.

As far for the other question. Wet side, dry side and driver go for about $300 used in here. It doesn't work without the driver.

 

[solitude127]

Well when i said circulation pump i ment like a hydor, or something comparable. Install them on a wave maker, save some bux and have two pumps, not just one.

Just wondering, how much is an mp-40 motor and wet side with out controler and where can you buy the motor seperate?

usually with wavemakers, their either on or off. So you don't really get the full flow from that PH. With controllable powerheads like Vortech or Tunze or even Hydor Controllables, they prop is always spinning.

 

[lighthouze08]

Well when i said circulation pump i ment like a hydor, or something comparable. Install them on a wave maker, save some bux and have two pumps, not just one.

Just wondering, how much is an mp-40 motor and wet side with out controler and where can you buy the motor seperate?

http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/

 

[fsugmoney]

MP40. I tried to go the cheap way first, and just never liked the flow. Just one MP40 on short pulse makes everyone very happy in my 90 gal.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I understand what you mean. I had two koralias 2 running just before I switched them out this Saturday and they are pretty good for their price. But I just think the MP40 was a nice upgrade on the tank, it has different modes and the motor is on the outside so it doesn't heat the water.

As far for the other question. Wet side, dry side and driver go for about $300 used in here. It doesn't work without the driver.

Well unfortuatly im still new to this forum so i can not veiw the classifieds yet. There is a company ive found on ebay and through google that is selling upgraded mp20 ES for $360.00 but its still a lot of money. Ive got a lot of other things that need to be replaced at the moment, Bulbs, Heaters(before winter hits)ect....

 

[solitude127]

What I've found out and I'm sure a lot of other reefers have done the same thing is that buy the good stuff first because in the end you'll end up buying anyways. Like you, I went with the 2 PH and wavemaker and 6 months later I wasn't very happy and ended up buying 2 vortechs. My advice, if you can, spend the money now so that you're not spending more than you have to later.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Yeah, you guys are all right. Like i said I think the vortechs are awsome. Just expensive. Ive always been one to try to buy the best. Ill try to keep my eye open for a used one or a cheep one. Anyone have one for sale?

 

[shrimphead]

you don't want too much flow going through your sump because your skimmer won't be as efficient at picking up waste, i hear you should aim for round a 3 times turnover for you sump size.

 

[Matt Dean]

Actually, the flow through your sump should match as closely to the GPH your skimmer puts out. then you are more sure to get as much as possible. So, 3X is relative. Check you skimmer specs and use that as a guide.