EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8000998#post8000998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
....If I had to run my VorTech on high all the time, it probably wouldn't have been any value in my tank at all as tissue would be blown right off my SPS.



....but I run my vortech on high all the time :( :strooper:

(hey, when you've got no sand to blow around, what's 70x turnover between friends!... P.S. I plan on buying a second Vortech in the coming months!) :smokin:
 
chad508-
One of our most major decisions was to create one powerful, yet efficient pump (3000gph comes at only 35-40w) and allow you to control it down to the slowest possible speed we were able to obtain. The advantage to this is that our customers need only buy the pump once, and they can carry it with them as they progress through the hobby. We've never been a fan of throw away equipment. Regarding the nature of the flow, I really suggest you take a look at a VorTech in action to understand how unique the flow that this pump creates is and why our customers appreciate it.

wfgworks-
I'll try and take some detailed pics early next week. Please remind me again on Monday. We've got a very busy schedule today and we'll be away from the office tomorrow. The only thing worth of a pic is the wet frame cover, and that is simply a snap on plastic part. The improved driveshaft is very similar to the old one, just a different material.

-Tim
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8002716#post8002716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
We've never been a fan of throw away equipment.
-Tim

Neither am I! :D

My first "non-throw away" piece of equipment was my IceCap 660 ballast. I've been running it for 10 years now and plan on running it until I get out of the hobby. Which will probably be the day I die. I'm planning on using the pumps for just as long as well.

And to trumpet what melev said, I love the fact that I buy one pump and it will work on any tank I ever plan on running. I don't have to have 30 different power heads which break constantly.
 
I asked Tim if it would be OK to post pics of the modified wetframe:

Three main pieces:
vortech1.jpg


New Backing plate:
vortech2.jpg


You can see in this picture the 3 tabs that snap into the wetframe to hold it in place.

Together:
vortech3.jpg


vortech4.jpg
 
tim
i have the pumps in my tank, and i love them. i just don't understand buying a $350 pump to run it like you would a seio 620, 820, are even 1100. for the cost if someone only needed low flow why not pay $30 for the seio 620. at that low of flow, i may be wrong, but the flow pattern can't be much different than the vortec at 25% flow.

im not downing the vortec, as i have said before i love the ones i have and plan to buy more as money allows. but if you only need low flow, in my opinion a $30-$60 "throw away pump" is your best bet.

now i'll wait to be trashed by everyone
 
I'll just sit back & watch :)

(by the way chad, do the math, a Vortech at 50% blows away, those PHs at lower wattage and has the potential for much more versatility)





... OK I'll stop now
 
Chad,

I think this question has been answered repeatedly, but I'll throw in my two cents anyway. Since you own a Vortech you should realize that the broad flow pattern is NOT duplicated by your standard powerhead at any flowrate. The flexibility in being able to control the flow rate is invaluable. The pump can literally be fine-tuned to a particular aquarium and adjusted as conditions within the aquarium change or if you upgrade to a larger aquarium, as many hobbyists do.

The comparison to Seio and Rios is silly. Not only will you be throwing away those pumps in a short period of time but quite possibly your entire aquarium with it. If you don't see the value of the Vortech pump, then why did you buy one?
 
Anyone elses skimmer go NUTS when the wet-side gasket is squeezed or messed with while inside the tank? Causes my ASM to go crazy for an hour!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8009433#post8009433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by King-Kong
Anyone elses skimmer go NUTS when the wet-side gasket is squeezed or messed with while inside the tank? Causes my ASM to go crazy for an hour!

Boy, you have all kinds of weird problems.:rolleyes:

FWIW, my skimmer doesn't "go nuts" when I mess with the gasket, since the gasket isn't releasing anything into the water. It's relatively inert. And why are you "squeezing" the gasket anyway?
 
Jonathan, GREAT PICS MAN! :eek1: :eek2: :rollface: :D

I love them.

Did the frame cover come with a new gasket glued to it already or do you have to glue one of your existing gaskets to it?

Also, does the frame cover come back off easily for cleaning and maintenance?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8009801#post8009801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSchiemer
Boy, you have all kinds of weird problems.:rolleyes:

FWIW, my skimmer doesn't "go nuts" when I mess with the gasket, since the gasket isn't releasing anything into the water. It's relatively inert. And why are you "squeezing" the gasket anyway?

My gasket is oiley (leaves a clear oiley residue on my fingers and I can see water seperating from it) and has a strong smell. Also, it is very soft, so just the very act of holding it between my fingers is enough to squeeze it. I am not going out of my way to squeeze it :rolleyes:

Ecotech has told me it's just a by-product and shouldn't be of concern. I am just curious about the skimmer thing, since that is all it seems to affect.
 
I disagree with the Seio's being junk. I've had the 1500 and 1100 since it was released with zero issues. I think they are a great alternative for affordable pumps. Of all the people I personally know, I've not heard of one with ANY issues at all. However, we do clean them every few months. Don't burn the Seio because the RIO was junk. To me, it's a solid product that doesn't put a hole in your pocket.

I would like to say I'm looking forward to buying a Vortech however, the reliability doesn't seem to be there yet but I do have hope. I think the way they are handling is great but unfortunately, I can't afford to risk my reef on a product that still is being fine tuned.

I do hope the next revision is great with no issues as I will need to upgrade my flow. I'm also probably waiting till the controller comes out. I got burned on the Seio with the controller thing. I know Icecap is a great company and that's all I use for my MH ballasts.

Keep up the good work. I'm confident your product will achieve the reliability Tunze has but in a nicer, more compact product. That's why I haven't bought a Tunze. Just too dang bulky for the price. :)
 
I'd clean that gasket, you sure don't want some mysterious substance from a manufacturing process in your tank. If it is enough to affect your skimmer, there is too much of it, IMO.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8009815#post8009815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWaters
Did the frame cover come with a new gasket glued to it already or do you have to glue one of your existing gaskets to it?

Also, does the frame cover come back off easily for cleaning and maintenance?

It comes with a new gasket already attached. It is glued on but not heavily.

The frame cover just snaps in and can easily be removed. However, although my wet frames do accumulate stuff on the outside, I have yet to find anything inside where the magnet is.

King-Kong: I would echo CW and try to clean it if it is affecting your skimmer. Those gaskets are really soft and seem to get slimy when wet and it sounds like yours is just extra slimy. Maybe soak it in vinegar?
 
Kong-Kong-

Your replacement gaskets (as depicted in jnarowe's post) went out earlier this week so you should have replacements for the one's in your tank anyway.

Others-

The prototype gaskets that jnarowe has pics of are glued on via superglue (which works well enough) however the final production ones have an adhesive which holds them on permanently.

-Tim
 
Tim,

I would have shot the shafts also but I don't have a macro lense so I can't really post a good picture of one. I feel so special having a prototype in my tank! :lol:

But I have to say they really do make a big difference. They also take some of the hassle out of installing and aligning.

Have you guys given any thought to my idea about the center shaft being threaded for its entire length possibly causing noise? I don't know what the revs. are but I can only imagine it must be fairly high, particularly when the Vortech is run at high speed, and that the threads will actually push water through the center of the shaft assembly.

I think that this "flow" through the center may be what causes rattling but not being an engineer, I really can't prove it other than to install a plain shaft with just the end threaded. I am really curious about what the result would be!
 
Back
Top