MP40 Question

R

rjd0521

New member
I was thinking of getting the Ecotech MP40 but it is hard for me to pull the trigger on a $400+ piece of equipment so i need some kind of reinsurance. My tank is currently sps frag dominated and I have 2x 3200gph sunsun and 2x Koralia 1400 for about 50x turnover but it is getting to clustered in my tank. The tank is a 185 Gallon custom 52x32x28. I wanted to ditch all the current powerhead and only use the MP's.

Is the MP40 worth every penny?

How many do I need in a 52x32x28 ?

Where should it/they be placed?

Will the MP40 create a sandstorm like the sunsun powerhead or is it more of a strong gentle flow like the Koralia?
 
I recently added 2mp40's to my 125(72x18) and I'll share what I've found. I had 6 koralia's before the change 4x1400 and 2x1050. I added the mp's to each end and ran them for a few days playing with modes and flow settings. They are very powerfull!! I can't run them on any mode at full power with out causing a problem with something. I had to dial them back to about 70%. With just the two mp's @ 70% i didn't feel there was enough flow so i added back 4 1400's to the back wall. The problem is too much flow from one place so the added power heads helps add flow in more areas.this set up is working very well for me so I think i will eventually add 2 more mp's either mp10 or 40 i'm not sure yet. I do like the random flow and i'm sure the tank inhabitants like it too. I don't regret adding them but i question my sanity for spending almost 1k on powerheads. But what the heck you can't take it with you right? In the end if you have the cash to add the mp's i think you'll be happy with them but i dont think you can expect 2 mp's to replace all of the flow you have now.
 
HOw is the tank set up? If its peninsula style you can get away with two, one on each end staggered and put it on long pulse mode. I would also add the battery back up for insurance on blackouts.

Mp40's are expensive. But are they worth it?

Yes - If you want to remove the clutter in your tank. I can relate as my first tank had 4 koralia's, very ugly and crowded.

Yes - If you want controllability. Its nice to have a few features on hand plus being able to dial the speed up and down.

No - If you can put the money towards something else that will make the tank better, like a better skimmer or lights or dosers etc.

No - If you need rent or paying for a mortgage :D

No - If you'd rather go on vacation :D

Sandstorm Issue - If you have sugar sized sand then this may happen. I have a 24 tall tank with a 4.5 inch oolitic DSB and I can run mine at 80-90% without a sandstorm. I think you'll be fine

I know you have your eyes set on these and just need and extra push to pull the trigger.

You already have the money for it.

You already made up you mind that you're going to buy it, you just don't know when.

If you can afford it, I say go for it. Everything we buy for our tanks is trivial anyway. I always said that if I ever buy a tank, I would get the best equipment I can afford.

Just get it, you will justify the purchase anyway :D
 
I have a 175 bow front. I just added a third mp40 in the tank. It is 6 ft long and the mp40 barely makes it to the middle. You will probable need 3 to 4 mp 40s for the right flow. I just talked with ecotech and they said a 6 foot tank is on the cusp of the mp 60.
 
I have 2 on a 65 gallon SPS system on about 45%. You would definitely need 2 of them at the least. IMO they are well worth it.
 
Had two running on my 120 since 2007. There is no substitute for quality and great engineering. If you can afford the best, these you must have.......

Joe
 
I had two on an sps 110. One dry side went swimming and I replaced it with a tunze 6095. My sense is that the mp put out more flow but the tunze is much more flexible. It can be linked to my apex for control. The tunze is much quieter. I am likely to convert the other mp to a tunze. jmho.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
i have 2 mp40s on my 160g bow front. i have them dialed and love it. i havent had any of the other quality powerheads that people use and prob never will now lol
 
Thanks guys. Will pull the trigger on it. Tunze is not an option because I am looking for less clutter in my tank and Tunze would be like having a koralia.

If I get two MP40, do they communicate with each other?
 
I know you don't like the idea of spending 485$ on a pump, so you really won't like my suggestion. I would buy a MP60 it will be more than powerful enough for you. I currently am running a MP60 on my 125g and a wavebox. I'm buying a 2nd MP60 to put on the 220g I am setting up. FYI a MP40 puts out at max what a MP60 puts out at the lowest setting. Running the pumps at full blast will wear down the parts faster and durability for the long run will be a issue. Also on the MP40s there are many more parts that need to be replaced as opposed to a MP60.
 
As for if 2 MP40s will communicate with eachother, yes they will if they are the wireless versions. You will set one up as the master and the other as the slave. They can be antisync or synced together depending on flow you are looking for. So make sure you get on that is a MP40W ES, W is for wireless and ES is for ecosmart. ecosmart the different preprogrammed flow patterns. Ie... Reef crest, lagoon, nutrient export, short pulse ect
 
They come with a controller for each and yes you can communicate all of their power heads you decide to buy together if you want.
 
I know you don't like the idea of spending 485$ on a pump, so you really won't like my suggestion. I would buy a MP60 it will be more than powerful enough for you. I currently am running a MP60 on my 125g and a wavebox. I'm buying a 2nd MP60 to put on the 220g I am setting up. FYI a MP40 puts out at max what a MP60 puts out at the lowest setting. Running the pumps at full blast will wear down the parts faster and durability for the long run will be a issue. Also on the MP40s there are many more parts that need to be replaced as opposed to a MP60.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about the MP60 for a minute because one MP60 would cost less than getting 2 MP40s and it would also be more flow. However, isn't it the usual recommendation to go with 2 smaller powerheads instead of just 1 big one? Does your 1 MP60 enough to cover your entire tank? It's interesting that you are suggesting it and I want to know more about it.
 
I was at the same place you a little over a year ago and I ended up getting one used (off this forum) and one new Ecosmart mp40 for my 150. They replaced 5 koralia 4's and I haven't regretted it one bit. It is by far the most I have spent on equipment for my tank but I wouldn't change them for anything. I run them at full blast and had to replace the wet side on the used ones but that's it.
 
I was at the same place you a little over a year ago and I ended up getting one used (off this forum) and one new Ecosmart mp40 for my 150. They replaced 5 koralia 4's and I haven't regretted it one bit. It is by far the most I have spent on equipment for my tank but I wouldn't change them for anything. I run them at full blast and had to replace the wet side on the used ones but that's it.
Click to expand...

Nice. I'm sure a lot of people are hesitant on pulling the trigger because of the price tag. However, in this hobby, I quickly learned that you get what you paid for. Is the flow of 2 MP40 enough to cover your entire tank? or do you foresee getting one more to increase the flow?
 
After watching the video, and saying both products are great, in terms of wide flow, the vortech seems to spread the yellow dye all over the tank while the tunze's just push it in a straight line to the other side.

No one pump is the best, each has pro's and con's, it all depends on what you're trying to do. to combine them is the best option to get full advantages of each other.
 
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