Tunze Wavebox or Ecotech Vortech?

[Paulairduck]

I got 8 vortechs for my 300 and only need 4 they have a very nice wide spread and the different patterns that come installed are very cool.

I am going to run 4 vortechs and 2 battery backups, so if there is a power outage I am all GOOD!!!

 

[villious]

I just replaced my two Tunze's with one Vortech MP40. I love this pump! I cant believe how nice the flow and undertow is. Much better water movement than the two Tunze's. Plus there are no pumps in the tank, save the small "wet side" of the Vortech.

I'll be buying another one soon.

 

[Louis Governo]

MP40 is wonderful and fun to play with all the settings

 

[flugelnuss]

What kind of benefits have you noticed since switching to a vortech?

 

[Louis Governo]

I put mine on my 30 gal while I'm building my 70. I have to run it near it's lowest settings. If I put it on pulse to create a wave my tank and stand rock back and forth so I stay away from the waves. I use the reef setting. It will pick up stuff off the bottom and put it in the water column without blowing away the sand. It creates a nice surging back and forth that is random and completely adjustable.

 

[villious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842123#post14842123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flugelnuss
What kind of benefits have you noticed since switching to a vortech?

I've noticed the coral polyps extend more, and a LOT more debris will stay suspended in the water column so the skimmer can take it out.

 

[DarG]

I have had one Vortech on a 90 for almost 2 years without a single issue as well. The newest generation apparently had some issues with some of them. I waited until a couple months ago and then bought my second Vortech. No issues with that one either. Bought the second as I am eventually going with a tank upgrade.

In pulse mode on high they can be heard to make a whirring sound but I wouldnt call it loud. My tank is an in wall and I couldnt hear it anyway but if your tank is silent and freestanding you may notice it. I can hear mine up close on other modes if I run on high but seems the pulse is the most evident but again, not what I would call loud but some have been sensitive enough to it for it to bother them.

They will make waves too, I tried it. Pretty cool but not what I bought them for. Not as good as a wave box from what I hear but the versatility is there if you want it.

I love mine, no problems at all.

 

[kretzkiller]

Much better polyp extension. my sps love the waves. It makes it much easier to have one pump that moves water in the entire tank. It took the place of 2 k2's and 1 k1. It's hard to describe how gentle the flow is yet, it's so broad. It's nice not to have to point multiple powerheads in different directions to try and find the right flow as well as make sure all parts of the tank are receiving it.

 

[Reefer2727]

What size Vortech would be recommended for a 75 gallon?

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14843474#post14843474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer2727
What size Vortech would be recommended for a 75 gallon?

Id get the full size ... 40 Its adjustable if you have too much flow but I would get the 40 for a 75.

 

[Tigé21v]

You all have sold me on the Vortech. Been working on the wife all wek as to why it would be such an improvement for my tank, while trying not to talk price. I called the LFS earlier this week and asked them to get me a price on one. My wife went with me last night (She may run up there with me MAYBE once every couple of months or so). The mgr says to us "The price would be 425". Guess he saw my wife's jaw drop, looks at her and says "As in 4 dollars and 25 cents". LOL. Bad timing.

 

[Reefer2727]

Classic....I am in the same boat.

 

[Louis Governo]

I bought mine at aquarium specialty for $419, free shipping and 5% refunded after the purchase to my card. You may want to check there. It was very quick shipping.

 

[Robb in Austin]

Check the used section, there are quite a few up for sale.

Also, remember: it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

As a corollary: if Mama's not happy, nobody is happy. (In case the Mrs reads this! )

 

[rishma]

I have had both, and prefer tunze. No doubt the flow from the vortech is great. The noise bothered me. I have a very quiet tank. The noise is most significant in the wave mode.

I have great flow from the tunze, very quiet.

 

[flugelnuss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14843859#post14843859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robb in Austin
Check the used section, there are quite a few up for sale.

Also, remember: it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

As a corollary: if Mama's not happy, nobody is happy. (In case the Mrs reads this! )

+1!! Life is a lot easier when everyone is happy!

 

[flugelnuss]

Does anyone have this pump on the back of their tank, as opposed to on the sides? Does it create the same kind of water movement?

 

[NVReefer]

i just bought a mp40w and will put mine on the back.......of course my tank is a 100gal cube......... :rollface:

 

[Louis Governo]

While I was researching it I did find someone that had it on the back of the tank. The only problem I think they had was if turned up too high, it would blow the sand that is by the front wall. I think he used 2 and was happy with it. Sorry I can't remember who it was or where I read it.

 

[sjm817]

I have 3 Vortechs on the back of a 180G. A MP40 in the middle in reefcrest mode and 2 MP20s, each about 13" in from the ends running lagoon mode. This setup works well for me. The noise level with them mounted on the ends is far too high for me. I'm also not wild about the looks on the ends. Even the MP40 on the back on the outer positions are too noisy.

The setup I have works out very nicely. Very quiet and all I see is the wet sides on the back. No dry side visible. Nothing mounted to the 3 viewable sides.

I would say that the flow is better if they are mounted on the ends, but sometimes you have to make compromises.