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

[MarineGirl411]

Hey Bax,
I just checked out your 120 office tank. I like it. With the Vortech in the back, do you get much flow throughout the tank?

 

[Bax]

Thanks MarineGirl411

With the VorTech back and center like that, I get a very broad push of water the causes tank wide flow. Note the two bommes or rock piles, the split in the middle allows the water to flow to the front then bank left and right. It's only cranked up about 2/3 the way and my flow is big from the VorTech alone.
The flow across my sand is amazing, nothing lies still.

The Tunzes then sit in the corners, not out of sight, but not too intrusive. They pulse and really surge flow here and there. Not counting my return, I am at about 65x in turnover.

I have no problems with CLs and plan to implement one on any larger systems I put together along with VorTech and Tunze PHs. The three provide different flow types and I think work well together to provide mass water movement with random surging. I like the idea of wavebox but the thought that it might weaken a tank has kept me from trying one, since all my tanks were purchased used, maybe, when I finally buck up and get a new tank I'll try one.

IMO, you will get similar supplement to a VorTech with a CL on a OM or Wavy Sea devise. It is just going to be a more laminar direct blast of water.

Good luck!

 

[marcsmith73]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10221494#post10221494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Mods are more reliable then the Vortech? They are loud, and will start backwards and jam after a power outage. Can't be put on a wavetimer, and looks aweful. Plus I think long term would just not be worth it in a 150 gallon tank.

Closed loop might be a bit more on the electricty, but there is so much more you can do with them. Add a Oceans Motion on a sequence is a great addition, and carries no internal pumps in the tank = less heat, and electrical accidents.

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10238868#post10238868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marcsmith73
Mods are more reliable then the Vortech? They are loud, and will start backwards and jam after a power outage. Can't be put on a wavetimer, and looks aweful. Plus I think long term would just not be worth it in a 150 gallon tank.

Correctly modded MJ's are definitely more reliable than the Vortech IMO. And part of the mod is to make it so that they ALWAYS turn on in the right direction. They are not loud at all. In fact an MJ mod is much quieter than a Vortech as is a modded Tunze 6025, producing nearly as much flow and equally as efficient in electrical usage.

And as far as them being ugly, if you have no creativity, then that could be true, but I know reefers that employ MJ mods that are well hidden, provide superb flow, at a fraction of the initial cost of a Vortech.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT using MJ mods in my display, but that is only because of the tank volume. If I had a 150g display, modded PHs would definitely be on my plate of options. I do use a wicked MJ mod in my 45g grow-out tank and a superbly modded Tunze 6025 in my refugium. Prior to the mod, my opinion of the 6025 was that it was a total piece of junk. But post-mod, it really hums, putting out incredible flow at a very electrically efficient rate, and always starting in the right direction.

Before you cast stones at mods, tell us how much experence you have with them, and how they were built. I have 5 Vortechs in my display and I am very intimately knowledgable about them, their advantages and weaknesses, as well as various mods. The reason why I suggested mods in this thread, is that well modded MJs, well placed in the system, can provide excellent flow for this size tank and under. Unless a reefer has a goal of zero visual clutter and goes with CLs, powerhead mods are certainly part of the mound of options.

 

[woz9683]

Use both, CL and Vortech's/Tunze's. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Personally, my new system is starting with a closed loop (just because you can't exactly drop one in later on) and as corals grow and I need more flow I'll add a couple of Vortechs.