Convince me to buy a Vortech

[TimeConsumer]

I've been reefing for a year now, and have gone through upgrades of just about every piece of equipment possible, searching for the best performance, convenience, safety, and redundancy within a reasonable price. I've been on the fence about purchasing a Vortech for the last 6 months, and I always seem to talk myself out of it.

The waterflow in my 75g LPS dominated reef is currently provided by two Hydor Evolution 750's and 500gph from my return pump. I have tried larger Hydor pumps but was put off by the highly concentrated stream of water and kept coming back to my 750gph models.

What I like about the Vortech is the reputed wide flow, variable speeds and programming, and the option for a battery backup (hurricane season is coming). But I am not without concerns. I hear from some people they are a touch on the noisy side. I am not sure how much that will affect me, as I currently sleep in the room with this tank. I can't imagine it being louder than my in-sump skimmer (Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160), especially since I have an open stand. I also wonder about upkeep costs. My LFS had an old-style MP40 on one of their display tanks that had to have the wetside replaced every six months. They also had problems with the wetside falling off on occasion.

So now come my questions for the Vortech owners.

Considering I don't have needs for very high flow rates, and I can't break the bank, would I be better running 2x MP10's at about 75% or 1 MP40 at about 30%? How much noise could I expect from either of these configurations?

If maintained properly, how often should I expect to replace the wetside?

Is there a way for my controller (RKE) to turn off a Vortech that also has a battery backup? Or will the battery simply kick in once the power is lost through the cord?

Has anyone had problems with their wetside falling off?

Any other arguments to talk me in to (or out of) the purchase?

 

[vbsaltydog]

Considering I don't have needs for very high flow rates, and I can't break the bank, would I be better running 2x MP10's at about 75% or 1 MP40 at about 30%? How much noise could I expect from either of these configurations?

The MP40 is louder than the MP10. It is often advised to get two MP10s vs. one MP40 and I agree. The MP10s are nearly silent when they are aligned properly.

If maintained properly, how often should I expect to replace the wetside?

My MP10 has been running fine for years without any part replacement.


Is there a way for my controller (RKE) to turn off a Vortech that also has a battery backup? Or will the battery simply kick in once the power is lost through the cord?

Anything plugged into a UPS is going to run off of the battery when the main power fails.

Has anyone had problems with their wetside falling off?

I would imagine this happens when people try to use MP10s on tanks with glass thicker than 1/2"

Any other arguments to talk me in to (or out of) the purchase?

Tons of people have them and are very happy with them. Myself included.

 

[troyman]

same here

 

[yachtdr22]

Interested in hearing feedback as I am looking at a MP40 or 2) MP10's in my Mixed 125

 

[pentrix2]

I've been reefing for a year now, and have gone through upgrades of just about every piece of equipment possible, searching for the best performance, convenience, safety, and redundancy within a reasonable price. I've been on the fence about purchasing a Vortech for the last 6 months, and I always seem to talk myself out of it.

The waterflow in my 75g LPS dominated reef is currently provided by two Hydor Evolution 750's and 500gph from my return pump. I have tried larger Hydor pumps but was put off by the highly concentrated stream of water and kept coming back to my 750gph models.

What I like about the Vortech is the reputed wide flow, variable speeds and programming, and the option for a battery backup (hurricane season is coming). But I am not without concerns. I hear from some people they are a touch on the noisy side. I am not sure how much that will affect me, as I currently sleep in the room with this tank. I can't imagine it being louder than my in-sump skimmer (Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160), especially since I have an open stand. I also wonder about upkeep costs. My LFS had an old-style MP40 on one of their display tanks that had to have the wetside replaced every six months. They also had problems with the wetside falling off on occasion.

So now come my questions for the Vortech owners.

Considering I don't have needs for very high flow rates, and I can't break the bank, would I be better running 2x MP10's at about 75% or 1 MP40 at about 30%? How much noise could I expect from either of these configurations?

If maintained properly, how often should I expect to replace the wetside?

Is there a way for my controller (RKE) to turn off a Vortech that also has a battery backup? Or will the battery simply kick in once the power is lost through the cord?

Has anyone had problems with their wetside falling off?

Any other arguments to talk me in to (or out of) the purchase?

The LFS must be doing something wrong or giving you bad information. The wet side shouldn't need replacing every 6 months.

Also the wetside shouldn't fall off if you put the thickness on correctly, if it still falls off then adjust the thickness. Whats the size of your tank? 2 MP10 should be sufficient for your setup, just need to run them at about 80% or 90%. Using 1 MP40 at 30% won't get you anywhere. You want it to be at a high enough speed so it can pick up some or most of the crap or stuff on the sandband so your filter sock or skimmer can catch it.

Pen

 

[pentrix2]

Interested in hearing feedback as I am looking at a MP40 or 2) MP10's in my Mixed 125

I would do qty 2 MP40s. Two mp10s won't do for you because you will have a ton of dead spots.

I believe a 125g tank has to be roughly 48" wide and I believe the mp10 only has a distance 1.5' while I believe the mp40 has a distance of 3'.

Just on my 90g tank alone it has 2 MP40s and a MP10. On my 185g tank (54" long, 33" deep and 24" high), I have 2 MP40 one on each side, and 2 MP10 both of them on the back wall. My other tanks I'm using different power heads.

Pen

 

[TimeConsumer]

Whats the size of your tank?

It's a standard 75g, 48"x18" with mostly LPS and softies. The few SPS are in areas that have very high flow regardless of which pumps I use.

 

[doctorgori]

Vortechs cost 9X more than a Koralia but no way do they benefit your corals 9x more...

like many things, they are toys/expensive gadgets....

That said, I'll be buying 2 as soon as I can sneak the $600 past my wife

 

[pentrix2]

It's a standard 75g, 48"x18" with mostly LPS and softies. The few SPS are in areas that have very high flow regardless of which pumps I use.

then 2 MP10s.

 

[mrbigshot]

you already covered the main reason why you want to run one, redundancy and safety in the event of a power failures. the other option would be a a pair tunze pumps. they are 12v as well so you can work out a battery backup system like the vortech's. this is great for short term power outages and when your away from the tank. this is the only reason i chose a vortech pump.

honestly your best bet with hurricane season coming is to get a small generator. it will cost about what the vortechs cost but will run your entire tank as long as you have gas. if you only want to run a heater, small return pump, and a powerhead or two you can get a basic generator at harbor freight for just $114

the mp10's are silent up to about 60% after that there rather noticeable. its not noisy just a louder dulled vibration similar to an air pump. i run mine at 70% reef crest and throttle it down at night. i run a barebottom 20h and have no problems with running it 100% except the sound of it i cannot handle.

 

[yachtdr22]

I would do qty 2 MP40s. Two mp10s won't do for you because you will have a ton of dead spots.

I believe a 125g tank has to be roughly 48" wide and I believe the mp10 only has a distance 1.5' while I believe the mp40 has a distance of 3'.

Just on my 90g tank alone it has 2 MP40s and a MP10. On my 185g tank (54" long, 33" deep and 24" high), I have 2 MP40 one on each side, and 2 MP10 both of them on the back wall. My other tanks I'm using different power heads.

Pen

my 125 is 72lx18wx22d
does that change things?

 

[footboard]

Noise, well that depends. I first started my 45 cube with 2 mp10's and an old Mag Drive 7, I thought my MP10's were dead silent. I then replaced the mag with a somewhat quieter return pump, isolated some vibration and now all I hear is the whine from the Vortech's. On a normal evening with voices, TV and all else it's not a bother, on a quiet Sunday morning when trying to read the paper or a book, they drive me nuts. The only reason I went with Vortech was to save space, if I had a larger tank Tunze would have been a no brainer for me.

On a side note I've had them running for a little over 7 months now and never had an issue with the wetside falling off, nor have I required any warranty/repair on the Vortech's.

 

[jcw]

But I am not without concerns. I hear from some people they are a touch on the noisy side. I am not sure how much that will affect me, as I currently sleep in the room with this tank. I can't imagine it being louder than my in-sump skimmer (Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160), especially since I have an open stand.

It might not be louder but certainly adds to the noise. particularly if you sleep in that room.

Considering I don't have needs for very high flow rates, and I can't break the bank

IMO, then save your money for something else. That is from someone that has 4 on a 125g.

 

[albano]

Convince me to buy a Vortech

Money is the root of all evil...this will allow you to get rid of a lot of it, quickly!


that being said,
I replaced 3 MP40w, with 3 MP40wES, that I replaced with 2 MP60wES and kept 1 MP40wES...but I have not and will not pay 'full retail' for them!

 

[bruce 1]

Get, Tunze pumps and you will be happy.

 

[gbru316]

I was on the fence for a while too. I decided to pull the trigger on an mp10 for a nano I'm building, and I can honestly say that the vortech's are well worth the money. The controllability is amazing.

I would recommend 2 mp10's, as running them at higher flow rates will allow a greater dynamic range of flow, ramping from low to high flow depending on profile.

They are a bit noisy at higher flow rates, but you can set them to automatically enter night mode when the lights go out, and they are pretty much silent then.

 

[yachtdr22]

Can someone tell me if the Tunez are a 3 wire grounded pump? Part of this is to replace my 3 voltage leaking Korolas...

 

[sirreal63]

Can someone tell me if the Tunez are a 3 wire grounded pump? Part of this is to replace my 3 voltage leaking Korolas...

The uncontrollable ones are, but the controllable ones are low voltage DC pumps, no worries about voltage leaking there. If you buy Tunze and do not get controllable ones you are missing out on the real benefit of them.

TimeConsumer, if noise is an issue then you may find no one needs to convince you to sell the Vortech and replace it with a pump that is quiet. I love Vortech's but could never tolerate the sound. It isn't a constant same frequency sound like the skimmer, as it ramps up and down the pitch changes. If you are a light sleeper, it may take some time for you to get used to them.

 

[TimeConsumer]

honestly your best bet with hurricane season coming is to get a small generator. it will cost about what the vortechs cost but will run your entire tank as long as you have gas. if you only want to run a heater, small return pump, and a powerhead or two you can get a basic generator at harbor freight for just $114

A generator would be a better option, I agree. But they all have very small gas tanks and most can't run for more than 12 hours even at half load. My issue is that if there's a bad hurricane it's almost guaranteed I will be at work for 48 hours at a time, which is why the battery backup seems like the best idea. If the power goes out for more than 72 hours, I have more problems than my battery dying, everything will probably be dead from being at 90-100 degrees during that time.

 

[rtparty]

Honestly, if we have to convince you to buy the pump you will always question it.

If silence and money are an obstacle, get a Tunze. They are way better than Koralia pumps. I have both an MP10 and Tunze 6015 in my tank right now. The Tunze takes up more space but you can't hear a thing from it. The Vortech is now 2 years old and I have never replaced a thing on it.

The Vortech is smaller in tank but noisier. The noise on mine doesn't bother me and I slept in the same room as my tank for over a year. However, they are not "nearly" silent. The design of them will always be a limiting factor on how loud they are.

Right now my computer is on and has a couple case fans that are semi-loud. My Vortech is about 5 feet away and I can hear it over the computer but it is running at like 70% right now in the Lagoon mode setting. Once it drops down to the 50% and less range, it can't be heard over my computer. When the computer is off, you can hear the pump no matter what.

My Vortech is also one of the quieter Vortechs I have dealt with. I bought a used pump and sent it right back to Ecotech to fix it. That thing was louder than my light fans. I think the guy I bought it from shipped it wrong though and that was the problem. Ecotech took care of it but that pump was always louder than my other Vortech.

I love both pumps for different reasons.