EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information
- Thread starter EcoTech Marine
- Start date
ReefWaters
Premium Member
I am tryng to plan the flow on a new 150 gallon 6' tank.
What are the dimensions of your tank? Im assuming you have the pumps on the side panes?
Do you have any other flow in the tank to supplament the VorTechs? How much flow do you think you are getting out of your sump return pump?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
ReefWaters
Premium Member
Another Question....
Ive read a lot on this pump but I dont think I have seen this question asked yet. Probably a stupid one....
Can the drive side of the pump (the outside part with the plug) be submerged at all? In other words could the drive side go inside an overflow? I know temp would be a concern but I can probably deal with that from one pump.
If it cant be submerged completely, how wet can it get? Being on the outside pane of the tank, it is bound to get splashed on when you are working in the tank.
Ive read a lot on this pump but I dont think I have seen this question asked yet. Probably a stupid one....
Can the drive side of the pump (the outside part with the plug) be submerged at all? In other words could the drive side go inside an overflow? I know temp would be a concern but I can probably deal with that from one pump.
If it cant be submerged completely, how wet can it get? Being on the outside pane of the tank, it is bound to get splashed on when you are working in the tank.
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Reefwaters-
The drive side of the pump can not be submerged at all. However, it is relatively water resistant. It can handle the occaisional spill or drip but it definitely cannot handle being submerged behind an overflow.
Note that while it is a robust design, water damage is NOT covered under our warranty. It is the responsibility of the user to keep the product safe from water to insure a long life.
-Tim
The drive side of the pump can not be submerged at all. However, it is relatively water resistant. It can handle the occaisional spill or drip but it definitely cannot handle being submerged behind an overflow.
Note that while it is a robust design, water damage is NOT covered under our warranty. It is the responsibility of the user to keep the product safe from water to insure a long life.
-Tim
ReefWaters
Premium Member
Thanks for the info Tim. That's what I assumed. No big deal though.
Another quick question.
How is the flow pattern, from one pump, affected by an obstacle directly in its path? Im looking to put the pumps on the ends of the tank, as most people do, and then have one or two "islands" of rock in the middle of the tank with SPS corals on all sides of the islands. Im concerned about dead spots and low flow areas in the middle, or back sides, of these two islands if the VorTech's are mounted on the ends of the tank. Can you give any feed back on how the flow will be in this situation?
Another quick question.
How is the flow pattern, from one pump, affected by an obstacle directly in its path? Im looking to put the pumps on the ends of the tank, as most people do, and then have one or two "islands" of rock in the middle of the tank with SPS corals on all sides of the islands. Im concerned about dead spots and low flow areas in the middle, or back sides, of these two islands if the VorTech's are mounted on the ends of the tank. Can you give any feed back on how the flow will be in this situation?
s3aL
New member
I have the Vortech pump on the left side of my tank and have two islands like you were talking about. When I have the pump turned on to 100% speed it pushes plenty of water across the whole tank(for SPS) and then the undertoe comes back across the whole tank very fast hitting the island on the left side.
I just setup my tank not to long ago but heres a pic so you have a idea.
I just setup my tank not to long ago but heres a pic so you have a idea.
Bax
Premium Member
I recently added a VorTech to my 75. You can just make out the VorTech in the front right hand top corner.
I also have two islands and I moved the VorTech forward as far as possible as I was blowing frags off the right island. And that's set at a little over half speed!
Combined with my one Tunze 6000, it's a little much for a 75 but I am upgrading this tank to a 120 in a couple of weeks.
I think you need about 12" minimum seperation from you rockwork, with nothing but the highest flow corals in that immediate area.
I also have two islands and I moved the VorTech forward as far as possible as I was blowing frags off the right island. And that's set at a little over half speed!
Combined with my one Tunze 6000, it's a little much for a 75 but I am upgrading this tank to a 120 in a couple of weeks.
I think you need about 12" minimum seperation from you rockwork, with nothing but the highest flow corals in that immediate area.
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Bax-
That's a great pic. Pics like that really do a great job of showing just how inconspicuous the VorTech is compared to 'other' circulation methods.
Nice tank!
-Tim
That's a great pic. Pics like that really do a great job of showing just how inconspicuous the VorTech is compared to 'other' circulation methods.
Nice tank!
-Tim
Bax
Premium Member
Thanks Jonathan
Tim
I set up this 75 for the purposes of evaluating different equipment for my 260 project. I am in that camp of mixing flow types, I like the pulsing and directional capabilities of the Tunze but it's a lot'a pump in the display. I am sold on combining a CL ( with a very efficient pump like a Dart), some Tunzes (were I can hide them) and the main stay of my flow will be two to three VorTechs switching on and off through the day to mix up flow patterns. For the wattage and realestate these babies rock!
Tim
I set up this 75 for the purposes of evaluating different equipment for my 260 project. I am in that camp of mixing flow types, I like the pulsing and directional capabilities of the Tunze but it's a lot'a pump in the display. I am sold on combining a CL ( with a very efficient pump like a Dart), some Tunzes (were I can hide them) and the main stay of my flow will be two to three VorTechs switching on and off through the day to mix up flow patterns. For the wattage and realestate these babies rock!
manderx
New member
the instructions say that they will be damaged if they run dry. probably just wear out the replacable bearing and maybe the drive shaft before it stalled and shut down.
*but*, i'd say if your water level drops enough to expose the pumps (which need to be at least 4" below the surface to keep from sucking air), you got bigger problems and need to redesign your plumbing.
*but*, i'd say if your water level drops enough to expose the pumps (which need to be at least 4" below the surface to keep from sucking air), you got bigger problems and need to redesign your plumbing.
Ecotech has installed new drivers that better sense temp faults and over rev situations. I would think the pumps would overheat in short order and shut down. Mine are ~ 4" below the water; well below where water level will drop in a power outtage. Good question. I hope Tim or Ash chime in here.
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
The bearing within the wetframe needs to be water cooled or the frame, bearing and driveshaft could become overheated and bind, melt or otherwise break. You will not damage the motor, as it will shut itself down, however you will need to replace most of these other components at your own expense.
I can tell you from experience that if you have the water level low enough you will have other problems because the pump will literally blow water right out of your tank once the water falls level with the top of the pump.
-Tim
I can tell you from experience that if you have the water level low enough you will have other problems because the pump will literally blow water right out of your tank once the water falls level with the top of the pump.
-Tim
