TWV 190g. Should I use a closed Loop or a Vortech? SPS dominant tank

[MarineGirl411]

I know my 150 gallon main display tank might not let me post in this forum, but my total water volume will be around 190 g. So for the main display (150g) should I go with a closed loop or a Vortech pump? This will be mainly SPS. Just like to know what would be better. I'd have to drill my 150g tank. Kind of scared to do that. Let me know. TY

 

[three-spot]

I'd prefer the vortech for the effeciency... plus it's just plain cool!

 

[MarineGirl411]

anyone?

 

[yaktop]

vortech and a wavebox for me. less holes and less elect.

 

[jnarowe]

tough call. I have had so many problems with the Vortechs it's hard to give them a glowing report. Closed loops are more reliable at this point, but not movable and use a lot of electricity. The fact is you could use Maxi-Jet mods, save a LOT of money, and get just as much flow.

I would suggest that you take a look at the Vortechs running on a tank and talk to a few owners before you make a decision. If you come out to the West Side, you are more than welcome to visit and see mine. I have 5 on my display.

I also have a Maxi-Jet 1200 mod as well as a Tunze Nano 6025 mod so you could see those as well.

 

[yaktop]

vortechs had issues early on but from others I've talked to they are now rock solid. maxijets ? maybe a dozen of them for any decent flow and their ugly as sin IMO. Tunzes are also a choice but I dont like the heat and the box inside the tank. take a hard look so you dont do it more than once like the rest of us have over time.

 

[jnarowe]

well I don't like the wires either and I wouldn't use them in my display, but there are many ways to hide them. My Maxi-jet mods put out 2500gph and because of overheating issues, my Vortechs are running at about 2100gph. Too many advantages of the Vortechs over the Maxi-jet to list here, but there is a considerable money difference for sure.

One of the nicest, cleanest tanks I know of uses Maxi-Jet mods and Koralia 4's. Sure there is more pump in the water etc. but the inhabitants enjoy a super tank.

If you want tro talk about ugly, anything attached to the walls could be considered visual noise including Vortechs. If you want to create a true "slice of ocean", you can't use the Vortechs either. The best large tanks I have seen are all closed loop. You never see any plumbing in them at all.

 

[yaktop]

true, hate the wires and more specific the salt creep. depending on what sides are viewable would dictate how ugly they are. closed loops are grand along with oceans motions but somewhat complex, ,more points for leakage, more juice and (I think) the old way of doing things. With that said, yes are more expensive than a dozen maxi's but alot less to periodically clean Hopefully the vortech controller works out as well as people hope.

 

[tony13]

I went with the CL. OM 4 way with a dart pump. Used the OM 1" flex nozzles, the pumps pretty energy efficient and quiet, the CL is clean with no wires or powerheads in the tank. I'm happy with the flow for now, but might add a couple of vortechs down the road if they make the controllers like the Tunzes and I need more flow.

 

[ssbreef]

for a tank that size I would go with the vortechs.

 

[hatfielj]

Another vote for vortechs. I've had one running on my 120 now for awhile and I love it and no problems with it what so ever. However, I did have a slight problem with my battery back up system. One email to ecotech marine and they very quickly sent me a whole new system no questions asked. Great customer service.

 

[MarineGirl411]

I'd have to drill the tank quite a bit if I used a CL. I'd just have to drill 2 overflows if I go with the Vortechs. Do any of you have pictures of them in your tanks? Or outside your tanks? I'd just like to know how much they stick out. I do like the look of no wires, I'm just afraid to drill my tank all to heck. You know?

 

[Jar*Head]

hmmm, i have 4 tunz 6200 in my cube. Yup box/wire in the tank. But i sure love the flow. Looking forward to add 2 vortech with battery....

 

[MarineGirl411]

Okay, I'm gonna need a little help. I am pretty sure I need Dual Overflows for this. I don't feel safe doing a CC overflow. How large would you drill the holes for the bulkheads?

I have a Reeflo Sequence Snapper I can use for the return. What is nice about it, is I can turn it down and it doesn't use a lot of watts. Plus it's extremely quiet. I'd go with this company's Pumps if I'd do a CL. I did look at the Darts and Reeflo's line of pumps. One thing I really like about the Vortech's though is the Battery back up. How much extra heat do the Vortech's add to your tank?

How many Vortech's and where would you put them? What do you guys do for random flow then? Or do you not use it? My return will be Sea Swirl I think, but it would barely put out anything.

 

[jnarowe]

check out the IceCap forum for plenty of install pics. In theory, Vortechs add zero heat to your tank because the motor is outside. In my case, I have had overheating issues that have crazed my tank, but that is an unusual circumstance.

In a 190g, two would be enough to start. Right now they cannot be successfully controlled AFAIK. But when they release the wireless controller, they will be the most controllable on the market, I am sure. HTH.

 

[tom obrecht]

I'd also recommend the Vortecs. I curently run a closed loop, Vortecs and Tunzes in combination with each other. Vortecs are low profile, will add plenty of flow to your tank and can be adjusted not only flow wise (with the speed control) but also placement in the tank. Closed loops are a done deal as soon as you install them. I think the Vortecs are the way to go.

 

[MarineGirl411]

I was thinking a Vortech and maybe my Sequence Snapper on all the way for a closed loop with a Wavy Sea. How does that sound? I'd like random flow as well. Where would you put the Vortechs? Back wall? On the side? I just don't want dead spots. Do any of you have pictures of the Vortechs in your tank?

 

[yaktop]

want no dead spots, use a wavebox in conjunction with the vortechs.

 

[Bax]

Or the VorTech and a pair of Tunzes ... works very well in my 120

 

[MarineGirl411]

Tunzes are too big for me. I'm really picky. I just can't get over their size. I do like the tanks though that do manage to hide them well. There is a nice T-5 tank on the boards that manages to hide the Tunze very well. They do move water though. I'd still really like to see some pictures of your vortechs. =) I'd really appreciate it. Where would you place the Vortech's?