Tunze or Vortech?

[patsfan1130]

I've been a faithful Tunze customer for years and am not unhappy with their product but I must admit I am intrigued with these new Vortechs. I am getting ready to pull the trigger for powerheads on my 300g. I am going to try an LPS dom tank this time around. I am looking for feedback from people who have used both. Money really isnt an issue. performance is. so, for those of you who have used both...which would it be??

TIA everyone

 

[jnewman]

Patsfan, I have both in my tank now. I am very happy with the Vortech, it pushes 3000GPH you can set random flow. The Tunze I have is great I have had it for 2 years now and no problems. I hear people complain about noise and I say it is not load and is covered by water going into overflow. I would also say that I am planning a large tank (125g now) and would most likely use OM and larger pump. I am an SPS collector (addict) and even the LPS would probably do well with this type of set up. I hate having to look at PH in a tank. JMO

 

[Eel-byte]

I haven't used a tunze before, so I really cant compare the two. The one thing I really like about the vortech is its minimal presence in the aquarium. I used to have two maxijets and a seio. I took those 3 out and just have the vortech. Very sleek!

 

[chadfarmer]

u are going to get the same results with both personal opinion

 

[luisagos]

Can the Vortech be controlled by a controller like the Profilux?

I know Tunze can be.

 

[chadfarmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14733141#post14733141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luisagos
Can the Vortech be controlled by a controller like the Profilux?

I know Tunze can be.

nope

 

[Rouselb]

The flow from the two is slightly different. The Streams 6101 is comparable to flow output (gph), but the flow band is much wider with the vortech. If you have a longer tank 72" or longer then you will need one vortech on each side. The streams is more concentrated and will push the full length. Im planning a 375 gal tank, 8 foot long, and i plan to use (2) streams 6201s and (2) vortechs. Im planning on the streams in the back of the tank and the vortechs up front. Im hoping that Gen-2 is better then Gen-1. I had a lot of stall issues with Gen-1.

 

[Nereaga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14733332#post14733332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
nope

Not yet, but TIM has beat around the bush as to maybe something COULD happen in the future. NOTHING definate though... They don't disclose anything new until its coming out for sure.

I can't speak on the Tunze products, but I LOVE my VorTech and will be running one for awhile...

Brad

 

[gasman059]

both-IMHO one complements the other.

I run 3x 6100's-2x6045's and 2 mp40's

 

[tkeracer619]

I have 5 mp40's and have used tunzes. I prefer the vortechs but both are nice.

The vortechs controller is awesome, no need to hook it up to anything.

 

[James77]

I've tried 3 vortechs over the years, and found them all way too loud. The dry side(motor) could easily be heard in another room 15 feet away. Other tank noises will easily mask it, like fans, skimmers, etc- but I set my tanks up so they are silent.

The Tunzes give comparable wide flow with the 6205 grille upgrade. They are alot quiter than Vortech. The wider flow of the Vortech doesn't pack alot of punch towards the end of a 6+ foot tank, The Tunzes have a narrower flow, depending on which shroud is used. Tunze take up about twice as much room in the tank as the Vortech wetside does. The wires and pump are easily tucked into a corner out of sight- tanks with top bracing will have more noticeable wires.

The Tunze is a bit more reliable than Vortech, especially given the nature of the way the Vortech operates. But, you cannot go wrong with either- they are both high quality and have outstanding service.

 

[luisagos]

I am looking hard at both of them.

The Tunze 6105 and the MP40W(gen2);

From what I am reading just from this thread the Tunze has the edge, especially when the Tunze is $100 less then the Vortech.

 

[Nereaga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14734077#post14734077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
I've tried 3 vortechs over the years, and found them all way too loud. The dry side(motor) could easily be heard in another room 15 feet away. Other tank noises will easily mask it, like fans, skimmers, etc- but I set my tanks up so they are silent.

The Tunzes give comparable wide flow with the 6205 grille upgrade. They are alot quiter than Vortech. The wider flow of the Vortech doesn't pack alot of punch towards the end of a 6+ foot tank, The Tunzes have a narrower flow, depending on which shroud is used. Tunze take up about twice as much room in the tank as the Vortech wetside does. The wires and pump are easily tucked into a corner out of sight- tanks with top bracing will have more noticeable wires.

The Tunze is a bit more reliable than Vortech, especially given the nature of the way the Vortech operates. But, you cannot go wrong with either- they are both high quality and have outstanding service.

James,

Were the VorTech's Gen1's? They seemed to have fixed the noise with the Gen2's. As my Gen2 MP20 is DEAD silent.

Brad

 

[Nereaga]

Luis,

Does the 6105 come with a controller?

 

[luisagos]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~TZ1343~idCartRow~15030028~isKit~0.html



They come with a electronic speed controller, but I think its just a simple control with 3-8vdc input speed control.

I see your point, vortech does include a fancy controller which the Tunze you need to get extra.

But some of us have a Profilux Controller that can control them.

Nevertheless Good Point!

 

[PogoMonogo]

i have a vortech mp40 on my 90. I normally don't post in product threads, but i love my vortech so much i feel compelled to everytime i see a thread like this. Mine has had zero issues, runs silent and makes a ton of flow. Its not cheap, but I am very satisfied with it. I plan to own several as I upgrade my tank.

 

[Nereaga]

Luis,

Good point on the Profilux controller! Never thought about that.

They are both quality products backed 100% by their companies, which is the BEST part!

 

[sjm817]

I've been back and forth with Tunze and Vortech. Yes, MP20 is close to silent. MP40 Gen1 or Gen2 is certainly not. I'm currently running 1 MP40W and 2 MP20s all on the back glass of a 180G. The MP40 in the middle, the MP20s on the outside about 14" in from the ends. For me, MP40s on the ends of the tank or even on the back glass on the outer positions are not an option unless turned down to MP20 flow rates. The MP40 in the middle 3' from the ends with a wall behind it does a very good job of masking the noise from the dry side. Many people are fine with the noise levels or the Vortechs. If you have a quiet system and are sensitive to the noise level, you may not be. I'm very happy with the setup I have as it is extremely quiet and visually, its very clean. Nothing is mounted to the 3 viewing panels. The dry sides of the Vortechs are not visible.

Flow wise, they are different. Tunze "moves" water. Vortech "mixes" water. A Tunze will move water the length of a 6' tank. A Vortech will not. The Vortech is more of an "all over water movement" type of action.

Tunze uses a central controller. They have the 7095, 7096. There is also the Neptune Aquasurf, and the GHL Profilux 3rd party control options. For a single pump, you can get the 7091 single controller.

Vortech uses a controller for every pump. With the MP40W, the controllers can be wirelessly controlled/synced with a master/slave configuration. There is no current 3rd party control, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it come along in the future.

If you look at the price including controller....
2 x MP40s = $840
2 x 6105 + 7096 = $815 ($915 7095)

4x MP40s = $1680
4x 6105 + 7096 = $1485 ($1585 7095)

Support from Tunze and EcoTech are both very good. Cant go wrong either way.

 

[LunarDDS]

For an LPS dominant tank a vortech would be great. Nice gentle flow with undertow. If you need to aim the flow then tunze. If you just want movement then vortech.

 

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14734375#post14734375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nereaga
James,

Were the VorTech's Gen1's? They seemed to have fixed the noise with the Gen2's. As my Gen2 MP20 is DEAD silent.

Brad

2 were Gen1's, the 3rd was a Gen2. The noise didn't seem as pronounced on the Gen2- but still too loud for my liking.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the MP20 the same pump as the MP40 with a slower driver? If so, it would definitely be quieter. The noise I am referring to was most pronounced at 90-100%, around the 75% area- it was pretty quiet(MP40).