Actually Matt, I have been rather reserved in my posts about the Vortech. Extremely reserved in fact. And that's because I am a fan of the product. Any "complaining" I have done is for the benefit of other users and to help Eco-Tech in their bid to improve the MP-40.
As far as noise goes, my Hammerhead return pump CANNOT be heard in my viewing room, but the Vortechs most certainly are. My noise issues have fairly subsided to the point that I am happy with their performance in that regard and that comes at the hands of Tim and the Eco-tech team spending considerable time and labor figuring out the problem.
CL outputs can be more restrictive of course, but I wouldn't use eductors or Loc-Line. I would use 1-1/2" - 2" open pipe.
I don't have a black background. I have a coraline background. And no matter what, Vortechs are clearly visible on any background. Mine grow coraline like there's no tomorrow anyway, so I would imagine that at times, yours are pink on a black background.
As far as the controller, I am willing to wait just as any other Vortech fan is. My issue is that I was told that they could be controlled on my ACIII pro until such time as the Vortech controller is released. In fact I was told that they would work on the ACIII and that I wouldn't need their controller for basic ON/OFF function. In the end, I cannot use the ACIII Pro to control them, and therefore I have to leave them on 24/7 or turn them down manually, but since they are all over-heating to the point of crazing my tank, I just run them at about 60 - 70% to keep the temps. down.
You have no idea what my interaction with Eco-tech and IceCap has consisted of, and it would be innappropriate for me to disclose that, but believe me, on both sides of the fence, we have worked tirelessly to get my units to run according to spec. without corrupting the driver code. Other than the heat issue, my MP-40s are running very well.
As far as selling them goes, that's really not an alternative IMO. Since I have no CL plumbed, and I definitely don't want wires etc. in my tank, I am stuck working with what I have. Fortunately, unlike many companies I encounter, Eco-Tech is working hard to develop the MP-40 line and keep its customers happy.
The MP-40 release had a lot of bumps in the road, but they have ironed them out as best they can. And building in comminication to AquaNotes or the AC controller line would be a major plus.
