I disagree with some of your statements. While I do own a number of MP40's (4), I didn't buy them for social status or to "dangle a carrot" in front of others. I love that this is one where the majority of people are very helpful, insightful and willing to give their past experiences. That being said, there are many ways to skin a cat. Sure, you could run a successful SPS tank with pumps other than Vortech and Tunze. It's been done, and still is done. However, I personally didn't like the aesthetics of a modded maxijet, large koralias or Tunze pumps taking away from the simplicity in design I was trying to achieve. In my very first tank, I had many Koralias. The propellers would jam constantly, and I didn't like how often they would have to be cleaned to work properly.
It's a stretch to think that this is NOT a "pay to play" hobby. Better skimmers, lighting, circulation pumps, reactors, etc. are more expensive. Paying to play is not exclusive to this hobby, or any other. We can bounce cliches and other sayings off each other until we've all got carpal tunnel disease, however cliches and other sayings don't get passed on without something behind them that rings true more often than not. A rumor or saying that doesn't die is not a rumor. Since we're in the SPS forum, you're going to generally find people that spend a lot more time and money on their tanks than those that frequent some of the other forums. It's just the nature of the hobby.
These aren't regurgitated things that people are just throwing out there for no reason. Ecotech arguably has the best customer support of any company in the hobby. That costs money. Most people who have a problem with a Koralia or Maxijet probably just throw them away and get another one instead of talking bad about them because their disposable items with cheap parts. I've had many, and the one that's left is used to stir up new salt water for a water change. It also jams very often and needs to be fiddled with.
Whatever you choose, one thing rings true. You have to maintain your equipment to make it work optimally. People that spend that much money on pumps probably spend more time with their tanks anyway, since their investment is considerably larger. Sure, there are exceptions, but I doubt that people entering the hobby come right out of the gate with custom tanks, Bubble King skimmers, Vortech pumps and enough quality lighting to brighten up a third world nation. It evolves through experience and seeing what works best for your animals.
I don't enjoy tweaking equipment to get it to work properly, so on my most recent build I spent the money up front to get what I wanted. I'm fortunate that I can do that, and don't in the least bit knock those who can't afford it. I've found that waiting to get the right piece of equipment when funds allowed was much better than having to do it twice with less than quality equipment.
JMHO[/QUOTE
So damn true.........
