ugh! it's time for an upgrade. I'm currently running 3 maxi-jet 1200's on a red wavemaster pro. I'm actually getting decent flow in my newly upgraded 75 gallon SPS dominant reef. (upgraded from a 55 gallon) I'm just sick of all the microbubbles from the maxi's EVERY time the kick on. It's strange though, cause I didn't notice it near as much in my 55 gallon. But anyways, I'm really itching for a vortech....or two. In someones else's EXPERIENCE and not assumption, which would be the best. One mp40w, or two mp10's. I don't want one end of the tank to get blasted with flow, while the other end has lackluster flow. Oh, and I'm also leaning toward the new ES driver on the vortechs.
mp10 vs mp40w
- Thread starter salty55
- Start date
daveonbass
New member
I have two 10's in a 58g. Do not try to do those in anything as big as a 75g. I personally would recommend TWO MP40's.
really! Is the flow THAT broad on vortech? how broad versus laminar are they compared to a modded maxi-jet. I ran a modded MJ900 on my 55 for a while. It gave good flow all the way to the other end of the tank. Since a modded mj and an mp10 have close to the same GPH rating I figured two mp 10's would really rock the tank.
Mike31154
New member
No experience with MP10s, but my 77 gal has two MP40Ws and this works just fine for me. Dialed down a little. I started with one initially and added a second about a year later. Even with one MP40W at 100%, I needed supplemental flow at the far end of the tank using another powerhead until I purchased the second VorTech. As far as the flow, there is a colony of button polyps only a few inches and slightly below one of the VorTechs and it's no problem. They have adapted to the flow nicely, staying short at the top, whereas the lower polyps are growing longer reaching for light and flow.
daveonbass
New member
I have two in my bedroom and really never hear them...they are in orange mode (lagoon I think) so they do ramp up and down but it's a slow steady build. On short pulse it's a tiny bit more noticeable. But all in all these are extremely quiet pump IMHO. and I have a Velocity T4 pump so I know what quiet is. hehe
As far as the 40 or the 10. I guess you could go with the 10's but for me...in a 36" tank (I assume that your 75g is a 48" tank) the flow is really nice but tapers off (even on the highest setting) before it gets to the other pump...so I like having them on opposite ends keeping the water churned up.
Another factor that wil determine how well they work is what kind of rockwork you have and how much it disrupts the setting you have it on. And by the way my 2 MP10's are so difficult to fine tune to get a wave...that I simply don't even try anymore. I like the lagoon, and reef crest mode...as well as night time mode that is easily programable...and feeding mode...which I rarely use. the other modes for me are just gimicky that I occasionally play with.
I guess I would change my original statement of 2 MP40's to just starting with one MP40 and seeing how you like it. if you want another one then get it. But again, for me I wouldn't go any bigger on the tank size than a 36" tank for 2 MP10's to handle moving as much water as I WANT them to move. I have mine at max setting...and so to get that little more I kinda want...I need to get a 40 or 2.
cheers
I just watched a youtube video of a guys 75 gallon and only one mp10. It actually made a decent wave in his tank. Which i'm not a fan of the wave anyway. It kinda looks corny and un-natural to me. I want to giggle every time I watch a video and see a school of firefish doing that weird little dance, or seeing a coral twitch like someone trying to shake the polyps off it. I'm just looking for good random flow and no dead spots. I get really good flow out of the modded maxi's. But, all my sps was starting to grow in one direction from not having random flow. I get random flow with three MJ 1200's on the wavemaster pro, but a ton of dead spots for detritus to collect. If anyone has a video of two mp10's mounted on the back wall I would love to see it. In my mind it seems that two mounted like that would be great since they only have to push through 18 inches of water versus 48.
cthedaytrader
Active member
I have an MP20 in a 20G and when the tank was empty I had it turned way down, now tha tmy tank has grown in a lot I have it cranked up all the way, I doubt an MP10 of two would be enough for a 75G if you search the Ecotech forum here I think you will see that in a tank that size they would recomend two MP20s or an MP40, or two dialed down
It really depends on your return pump gph as well. I am going with two mp10s instead of one mp40 because it can create more random flow and produce the same if not mor flow. If you feel down the road it is not enough you can add one or two more since all the new versions can sync you could creat some awesome movement. Imagine if you had one mp10 on each side and two on the back wall....that would be sweet!
Kbreef
New member
30 Gallon Nano 1 MP10 ES
30 Gallon Nano 1 MP10 ES
Hi I just switched from a Koralia 800, to a Vortech MP10 on my 30 gallon nano.
The MP10 provides more than enough flow. I would think two of them woudl be just fine for a larger tank.
I have mine set on the Reefcrest Random, and it provides excellent flow.
I did try the wave option, with the auto tune feature...I did get the waves....but they are standing waves, which means the flow is not as good as with the random more laminar types of settings.
I have noticed a distinct improvement with many of the software corals...
of course the fish dont really care....
30 Gallon Nano 1 MP10 ES
Hi I just switched from a Koralia 800, to a Vortech MP10 on my 30 gallon nano.
The MP10 provides more than enough flow. I would think two of them woudl be just fine for a larger tank.
I have mine set on the Reefcrest Random, and it provides excellent flow.
I did try the wave option, with the auto tune feature...I did get the waves....but they are standing waves, which means the flow is not as good as with the random more laminar types of settings.
I have noticed a distinct improvement with many of the software corals...
of course the fish dont really care....
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
I have a 10 coming tomorrow -- going to be used in my 75. I have a SureFlow maxijet -- using the MJ400 --, and that is too much flow, at least for my clam and anemone (( Haddonis )). The sureflow is on the left side glass, and the clam is right under it. The flow comes all that way back and lifts up its mantle.
So it should be interesting to see how the 10 works. Worse case I get another one for the right side of the tank, or move it to one of my other, smaller, tanks.
So it should be interesting to see how the 10 works. Worse case I get another one for the right side of the tank, or move it to one of my other, smaller, tanks.
Keep us posted on how it turns out.
