Vortech MP40w-ES- Are they that good?

[Reefahholic]

Reading their website, they seem to have a tremendous amount of confidence in their product. It does have a lot of really cool features, but will only one work better than 4 other powerheads? I really like the idea of no wiring in the tank and the undertow they create, but don't other powerheads create undertow too?

I was just wondering if it would be about the same or better to buy four koralia 4's for the same price or cheaper? That's gotta push as much if not more flow around the tank right? I mean really, they can't be that much better can they?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Ok, I own 1 mp40 along with 2 maxijet mods in my 125, the biggest difference between the K4's and the MP40 (besides the huge price difference) is that the K's blow constantly in one direction, not allowing the corals to get hit in different directions like the different programs on the mp40 (mimicking natural ocean current). So in that comparison the mp40 is the better choice but the problem most people have with the vortech brand is the price tag, you have to think about whether it's worth it to spend that much on a power head.

 

[Reefahholic]

Couldn't you just place the 4 other koralia's in different directions and get same affect with more flow?

 

[wireefman]

four k4's is an ugly sight in an aquarium

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

Korlia not for wavemaker

Korlia not for wavemaker

Keep in mind that unless you buy the newest version of the Korlia
or a specific model the other Korlias are NOT ideal for wavemaker ON/OFF
timer use...This is what was I was told by a seller of the units....


MP40 sound like they are worth the money to me as flow is just so darn
important and if you can make it so the corals are not blowing in a current
that is always heading the same direction and same flow rate etcetc then
they will be better of definitely...


Ya...they are big bucks...I dont have one...I use Korlias...but I cannot
wait to upgrade..>The Korlias in the meantime have been phenomenal
but are very limited...no problem with the flow though! They sure have power no doubt.


Tim

 

[Reefahholic]

So if I were to do a 65/G 36x18x24, would two vortech mp10's be enough flow, or should I go with two 20's or just one 40 or 60.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but would two smaller powerheads be better than one? Example: You could place in different places away from each other to create better flow and eliminate dead spots.

Sisterlimonpot- if you don't mind me asking, how much did your 125/g bring you electric bill up?

 

[danel]

Definitely worth the money! I had 4 koralias in my tank; 2 - k4 and 2 - k3. I had the K4 at each end of the tank and the 3's on the back. I replaced all off them with 2 mp40's and WOW, a HUGE difference. Less electricity, less bulky/ugly looking and the flow is just amazing. I have them at 60-70% and they give out a much better flow than all the koralias I had. I got the 2 mp40 because I will be upgrading to a 210g next month

 

[zma21]

I'm building my next project on a budget, and was just going to settle on Koralias for flow.

I began to read that owners were seeing better SPS health after adding the vortech, and this caught my interest since I'm doing a select few SPS in the new system.

Well, I went ahead and got the vortech, and all I can say is THEY ARE THAT GOOD!

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks danel, sounds good....they certianly sound worth the money. I was pretty sold after reading their website, but the price tag is a bit high. No wiring in the tank and the convience of less bulky equipment in tank are big persuading factors for me!

How much did ur electric bill go up on your 125/g if you don't mind me asking you as well.

 

[jimmyj7090]

I've had a MP40ES for about 6 months so far. It's a quality piece of equipment and the performance is amazing IMO. This is one of those things you pay a lot for, are nervous as you wait to install it, and then are totally validated when you get it going.

To me, 4 Korillas in a tank looks hideous and wastes a TON of space. One MP40 is super slick and takes up almost no space.

Also the different wave maker modes are awsome. All sorts of pulses and patterns to churn the tank up.

 

[Felixc395]

I've heard nothing but great reviews, except one large issue... noise. I've heard the noise is just unbearable! Does the downside of the noise outweigh the great features and flow of the pump?

 

[Green_Reefer]

I run 2 mp40's at 70% on a 75g RR tank. One was probably enough, but I had to run it at 100% and still had very low flow areas around the base of my overflow, with two I have excellent flow everywhere even in the caves of my rockwork.

They are not as quiet as normal powerheads but they take up a lot less space and do not intrude as much with the look of the tank. The flow directly in front of the 40's is nice and broad and not the jet that is pumped out by a powerhead. All of the normal and eco modes (don't forget night and feeding as well), combined with the ability to dial in the flow perfectly on each individual module put it a step beyond anything else out there. The cost is a big hit to take, but if you are looking at wavemakers or controllable powerheads they are a bargain.

 

[Reefahholic]

I'm building my next project on a budget, and was just going to settle on Koralias for flow.

I began to read that owners were seeing better SPS health after adding the vortech, and this caught my interest since I'm doing a select few SPS in the new system.

Well, I went ahead and got the vortech, and all I can say is THEY ARE THAT GOOD!

Ok.... With you guys! They are pretty too (white LED's) with a lot of options!

Check out this funny video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIkt38d8OGA

 

[jimmyj7090]

IME the noise is mostly from the sides being misaligned, or the spaceing adjustment being off.

I don't run mine cranked up by any means, but I don't find it to be loud at all unless I misalign the sides.


*note to new users, there is an adjustment to set it for the thickness of the glass/acrylic your tank is made of. Setting it wrong may cause problems or even possibly damage the pump, so be sure to set it*

 

[Reefahholic]

green reefer....how many and what power would you put in a 65/g or 125/g?

 

[danel]

Thanks danel, sounds good....they certianly sound worth the money. I was pretty sold after reading their website, but the price tag is a bit high. No wiring in the tank and the convience of less bulky equipment in tank are big persuading factors for me!

How much did ur electric bill go up on your 125/g if you don't mind me asking you as well.

Honestly I have no idea on the electric bill since my building has the electric bill included with the rent! :lol2:

Like others mentioned, the noise it produces would be it's only bad thing. I have mine completely aligned and there's no rattling noise but if I ramp the vortechs at full blast, the motor seems very loud. I don't run them all the way up so I can tolerate the noise.

 

[danel]

green reefer....how many and what power would you put in a 65/g or 125/g?

On a 125g I would once again go with 2 mp40s. On a 65g I would do 2 mp20 or maybe go ahead with the 2 mp40 as well if money isn't an issue in case you ever want to upgrade

 

[Reefahholic]

luck dog! (electricity)

ok...so noise seems to be the only downfall..

 

[Reefahholic]

On a 125g I would once again go with 2 mp40s. On a 65g I would do 2 mp20 or maybe go ahead with the 2 mp40 as well if money isn't an issue in case you ever want to upgrade

yeah, didn't think about that....upgrade seems to be a word that's used more than any around here.:spin2:

 

[danel]

yeah, didn't think about that....upgrade seems to be a word that's used more than any around here.:spin2:

Upgrades, upgrades... Let's see. I went from a 14g>29g biocube>55g>75g>125g>and now I'm upgrading to 210g...

The word upgrade will end once I have a tank big enough where I can actually swim in my reef or my girlfriend cut's off my budget...