VorTech mp Wavemaker

RSJennings

RSJennings

New member
I am starting a standard 55gal mixed reef tank. I am wanting
to use a wavemaker, and I have decided I like the Vor Tec mp
system but I don't know if the mp20 will be enough. The pump
is capable 500gph to 2000gph, this sounds good to me, but I
was curious to know if anyone has a set up similar to this and
if you're happy with it or if I just need to go ahead and get the mp40w.
 
I would recommend the MP40W for a 55 gallon reef.

Also, upgrading can be quite an expense in this hobby and even if you don't think you will want a larger tank, trust me, you will:)!

Joyce
 
I have an MP20 on a 36" tank. By itself it's not enough, but I do love it. You'll need the MP40, plus possibly something else.

I'd actually go with 2 MP20's over 1 MP40.

If money is no object, then 2 MP40's is the way to go.
 
Thanks, thats what I wanted to know. I think I'll get one
mp40w, and if I need more I have plenty of power heads
to stick at the other end of the tank to take care of any
dead spots. I'm sure there will be another upgrade in a
year or so I'll get my second mp40 then.
 
I really feel that the wavemaking motion with the vortech is rather weak. I used to run the wavemaker for my tank and past 2 feet there is very little flow. I feel that the lagoon or reefcrest modes are the best overall and you get a great undertow. FWIW
 
I have my MP40 for my 50 breeder setup on my 55 now, and it only reaches alittle more than half way across the tank, the undertow is insane on these pump, I ended up having to put one of my koralias back in the tank because the other side was getting VERY little flow. The tank seems to be way too narrow for 1 vortech to supply all the flow for the tank. Im sure if you were able to make a wave on the 55, you wouldnt need another pump, and if you did have to put another pump, you would then not be able to have a wave.

I wouldnt say the wavemaking is weak, I can get a pretty decent constant wave in my empty breeder

As T4zalews said, the lagoon and reefcrest modes are the best.
I run mine on lagoon I believe, and I have it cranked up full power, and my everything is doing great.
 
The tank seems to be way too narrow for 1 vortech to supply all the flow for the tank. Im sure if you were able to make a wave on the 55, you wouldnt need another pump, and if you did have to put another pump, you would then not be able to have a wave.

So is it possible to create a wave with just one mp40 or do I need 2
 
And if I need 2 mp40w where can I buy just a pump I can not find
them for sale like that. Every one I find is $420 dollars with the
controller. Can anyone tell me where to look?
 
I don't think you can purchase just the pump, as they come as a unit with the controller. The battery backup is optional.

Joyce
 
it will create a wave don't get me wrong, in my 3 foot tank it created about an inch wave, so on 4 ft I'm assuming it would be less than an inch. another bad thing with the short pulse mode(wave) is the unit gets rather loud cranking up to the max power every second. If you want a wave I would suggest getting the nano wavebox, I just feel that the second half of your tank would get very little flow.

you have to buy them with a controller on each one, you can't run two on just one controller. you can sync them up to each other but you have to have 2 controllers for the 2 pumps.
 
You can purchase all the pieces seperatly. A new wet side is approx $100, a new motor ( dry side) is $180 and the controller is $150. contact eco tech and they can sell them to you. After I upgraded my mp20 i called and asked seeing as I had an extra mp20 driver lying around.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15568431#post15568431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t4zalews
If you want a wave I would suggest getting the nano wavebox, I just feel that the second half of your tank would get very little flow.
Click to expand...

Is this a Tunze nano wave box you're talking about?
 
FWIW, I can get a nice size wave with the MP20 in my 65g. But its 36" long. And to get the wave affect I have to turn off my return pump because of where I have everything placed. So obviously I can't use the wave affect. But if my return wasn't basically facing my MP20 head on I think it would work fine.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15569052#post15569052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RSJennings
Is this a Tunze nano wave box you're talking about?
Click to expand...
yes, that is what he is talking about.
 
RS, if you don't mind me tacking onto your thread...

what would be the best position in the tank for the Vortech? 2 to 3" from the top? middle of the tank (height-wise)?
 
The Eco tech web site say 6" but i'm sure it depends on your layout
I am still setting my tank up and have not bought my mp49w yet I set this thread up to determine if I needed a mp20 or mp40w
 
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