Rate Your Vortech Experience

[GBE378]

I would give it mine a 4. It was easy to set up, provided great flow and very easy to clean. It lost one point for the price and it starting to vibrate on the wet side (not a constant sound but here and there i can hear it at night). I hope that I just have to clean the inside of my tanke with a razor to get a cleaner surface.

 

[RRaider]

I have a vortec in my pickup. It's been pretty good so far. Good power and pretty reliable.

 

[Wrench]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12388423#post12388423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RRaider
I have a vortec in my pickup. It's been pretty good so far. Good power and pretty reliable.

:lol: :lol:

 

[crab0000]

I've had mine for ~ 6 months and it has been great! A definite 5 from me!

 

[Kep]

5

 

[macreefster]

just ordered my second vortech. nuff said!

 

[cd77]

I've owned one for about 6 months, and another for about 5. Both are the MP40W models, no battery backups.

I give both a 5/5 compared to any other pump I've used. They're whisper quiet after twenty-four hours, extremely powerful, take up little tank space.

Just one of these suckers makes my SPS very happy in my 70G tank.

I've had to contact customer service once and they responded immediately offering to take care of the issue -- I never got back to them after finding out the fault was my own (silly rubber pin got bent). Removed the pin-spacer and all is fine. So far, I've had no rust issues or problems of any kind.

The foam guards are great if you keep anemones in your tank.

Cleaning couldn't be easier.

The programmable wireless module allows you to do some very cool things as well.

They are slightly expensive as previously said. I'm anxious to see how well they'll be holding up a few years down the line.

 

[mikeshook]

5 - got rid of three powerheads...also I find Tunzes to be unbearably large.

 

[DT's_Reef]

I have one on my 120, and love the flow pattern, but mine makes a loud whirring noise that can be heard down the hall from the living room and in the bedrooms. It's the loudest thing in my home. I've tried adjusting it but it sounds the same. I read the instructions several times to ensure I installed them correctly. I'm going to check to see if I have rust on the magnet, after reading some of the other threads. A really neat pump, otherwise.

 

[bristle]

I don't own one but after reading this thread...

Seems like they are noisy and break down frequently. And it's not the same part all the time either. To me, it's just people trying to justify the money they spent on it.

 

[macreefster]

i don't know about others here, but i don't need to justify the money i spent on my vortech. it not only is worth every penny, but it's a small percentage of the total investment in my system. let's see....need i justify my chiller, lights, calcium reactor, live rock, corals, fish, pumps... each costing more than the vortech? i never got into this hobby to save money, i just want to provide the best environment possibly for my inhabitants.

 

[cd77]

+1 - worth every penny. I've ditched far more expensive items, including light fixtures, acrylic sumps, etc.. for better items and have no problem at all admitting to making a bad purchase. Not to mention all of the Koralia's I went through trying to find the perfect flow pattern -- which are now sitting in a cardboard box somewhere

The only thing I've had to purchase for my pump (besides extra foam guards which I like to have handy) was a new wet side -- a bent/broken pin on the spacer will quickly destroy the wet side magnet. A lot of the issues I've read regarding noise, vibrations, or regular replacement of parts I suspect may have to do with having the correct spacer setting, a very clean wet and dry side for mounting, and being very careful not to bend or break a pin when adjusting the spacer. On my 70G, I've found the pin spacer isn't even necessary.

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397167#post12397167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bristle
I don't own one but after reading this thread...

Seems like they are noisy and break down frequently. And it's not the same part all the time either. To me, it's just people trying to justify the money they spent on it.

I disagree...

 

[sherm71tank]

This isn't a thread for debating each others opinions. I think it's nice to get everyone's input without any personal bashing. That way everyone will be more likely to share their experience in a honest way. Clearly many people have had good luck with the pumps and many have not.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397608#post12397608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
This isn't a thread for debating each others opinions. I think it's nice to get everyone's input without any personal bashing. That way everyone will be more likely to share their experience in a honest way. Clearly many people have had good luck with the pumps and many have not.

I agree. Additionally the person that sparked that response does not own one and merely ruffled some feathers unnecessarily.

 

[krzyphsygy]

I have a problem as of last night, so I guess what serivce I receive will dictate the rating. I love the design and idea. But 1 month in use and rust already on the magnet and the controller does not work.

Before that I was a 10 all the way.

 

[mga345]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12301571#post12301571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rmougey
I have two, on separate tanks, each with a BBU. Upgraded to WWDs during the first go around. 1st pump was early generation. EcoTech provided great support, swapped out parts and helped identify and correct issues. 2nd unit was purchased later, no service requirements or issues at all.

Recently purchased an extra wet side for use when cleaning the pumps. Don't have to take them out of service that way.

Love 'em. Can I give each pump a 5 and end up with a 10?

Next project: adding a second pump to the 175 to play with sync/anti-sync options.

-Rob

Hi,

I have two MP40 pumps. As you can see, I live in Israel.
How can I purchase an extra wet side for use when cleaning the pumps?
I find it as good idea to keep a wet side as a reserve part.

Moshe

 

[Wrench]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397484#post12397484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
I disagree...

You are wrong. These pumps are very reliable and relatively quiet. I'm not saying they're silent, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little noise to enjoy the other benefits of the Vortec.

I am willing to bet that most of the problems can be attributed to user error. Not centering the two halves will cause excessive wear, premature failure and excessive noise. We all know what water/humidity will do to a driver or transformers (which are usually stupidly placed inside the stand). I'm not saying that this is true in all cases but it's just too easy for most to be ignorant and blame the product when that's not the case.

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12439442#post12439442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wrench
You are wrong. These pumps are very reliable and relatively quiet. I'm not saying they're silent, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little noise to enjoy the other benefits of the Vortec.

I am willing to bet that most of the problems can be attributed to user error. Not centering the two halves will cause excessive wear, premature failure and excessive noise. We all know what water/humidity will do to a driver or transformers (which are usually stupidly placed inside the stand). I'm not saying that this is true in all cases but it's just too easy for most to be ignorant and blame the product when that's not the case.

I think you misunderstood what I was disagreeing with. I own two Vortechs and like them more than the two Tunzes I own. Not that there is anything wrong with the Tunze they are both awesome products with advantages and disadvantages to both of them. It's like comparing two high end cars, I would be happy with either one.

I agree with you that a lot of the problems are probably attributed to user error.