Vortech MP60W or 2xMP40W's?

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Wolfmann81

New member
Folks -

Need some guidance here. I have a 180G display tank with numerous powerheads. I believe I am ready to take the dive to replace the powerheads and go with a new Vortech (or multiple?).

Here is my query: Would it be drastically better to have two opposing MP40w's with the Ecosmart controller, or a single-end MP60W with the ecosmart controller. I figure I can get 2 MP40 for $900ish, or one MP60 for $650ish. Money as only a partial factor - would it be tremdously more beneficial to go with 2 opposing pumps, or would a single MP60 on an end be what I am looking for.

I run a mixed LPS reef and am just starting to get into some SPS, so it is not a heavily stocked SPS tank.

Thoughts?
 
Depends on length. If it's a short tank the mp60 might do fine. I've seen that at my LFS on a 4 footer. If it's longer then I would definitley go with more than 1 pump and get 2x mp40.... 2xmp40 also allows you to sync them up and creates more versatility for flow patterns. Plus, the 40's can work well on smaller systems if you downsize ever. The 60 is pretty huge. That's my take, but maybe someone with an mp60 can give you a more accurate answer.
 
I have two mp60 in my standard 180 6ft tank. No im not wealthy I wanted to save some money by buying 1 mp60 but ended up buying two because i wasnt happy with the one sided flow of one mp60. I do have to turn then down less than half power or i create a sandstorm. If I would of have to do it again I would of done the same thing since i'll have flow on demand when I start with corals and what not. Also I believe the mp60 is a better design than the MP40.IMO
 
I would definitely go with 2 to get the full directional flow and functionality. You will probably be much happier.
 
foxrazr said:
I have two mp60 in my standard 180 6ft tank.

i wasnt happy with the one sided flow of one mp60.

I do have to turn then down less than half power or i create a sandstorm. IMO
Click to expand...

Here is your answer. U get the full use from a vortech by using 2 of them at opposing sides. This way u can run them anti sync and it will flow in one direction then the opposite. This will almost eliminate dead spots. If u just use 1 on 1 side, you can put the pump on whatever mode u want but your still only pushing water in 1 direction.

Also , no offense but whats the sense of having a 60 it your only able to turn the power up to half way? Better off with a 40. Not to mention the price difference.... Just ballparkin, 2-60s =1388$, 2-40's =888$ Heck u can get 3-40's for the price of 2 60's. IMO 60 is better suited for 8' tanks with a few exceptions of course
 
tozzi said:
Here is your answer. U get the full use from a vortech by using 2 of them at opposing sides. This way u can run them anti sync and it will flow in one direction then the opposite. This will almost eliminate dead spots. If u just use 1 on 1 side, you can put the pump on whatever mode u want but your still only pushing water in 1 direction.

Also , no offense but whats the sense of having a 60 it your only able to turn the power up to half way? Better off with a 40. Not to mention the price difference.... Just ballparkin, 2-60s =1388$, 2-40's =888$ Heck u can get 3-40's for the price of 2 60's. IMO 60 is better suited for 8' tanks with a few exceptions of course
Click to expand...

At first my plan was to just use one powerhead but I didn't like the one sided flow so ended up buying another one. Also, you have to remember that the mp60 a halfway power is more than the mp40 at maximum. furthermore, I am planning on putting corals into my tank but as of right now it only has rock. Also, like I stated before I believe that the mp60 is just better by design than the mp40 but only time will tell. The last reason is if I ever convince my other half, I'm going bigger so I won't have to worry about powerheads. No offense taken.
 
I understand that. I too like the 60 cause of the different shaft design. They'll prob soon come out with the same for the 40. My only complaint with the vortechs, a little loud when on high, u cant angle them like u can the tunze or koralia, and for the price u should have to replace parts every 10 yrs or never, not every 2yrs for the wetside
 
I think part of the point of the vortech is that you don't need to angle it, because it isn't producing a focused stream, it's broad flow. From how I've observed my mp40 in my 4ft 75 it makes a nice wave all by itself and I could see by the detritus it pulled up the flow pattern. You can clearly see the undertoe so it's more of a circular wave like flow which is more natural, rather than "flow in only one direction"...... Keep in mind that the ocean doesn't have multiple powerheads flowing in different directions, it has a tidal pattern in and out with an undertoe like the vortech creates. I'm not saying 2 aren't beneficial, but 1 on a 48 can definitley provide plenty of flow. Also, My return is on the opposite side so that provides some extra flow on the opposite side (which isn't really needed anyway).
 
Thanks for the thoughts here from everybody. I think it clearly makes sense (and I think my intuition was telling me) that 2xMP40's was a better alternative because of the 'randomness' in water movement it would be able to cause (more like a tide anyway). In a reef where they say chaotic/unpredictable water movement is as important as straight-GPH - 2 opposing pumps would have a better ability to create more 'randomness'. I appreciate everyone's comments.
 
Well like they say, if you don't want to upgrade in the future, i'd rather go the mp60 single, then save up and get another one. I was in the same predicament a few months ago. Decided to get the single mp60 for now, then buy another one in a few months.

Don't have no regrets yet. I knew if i went the mp40 X2, in the future i will end upgrading anyways.
 
sanchoy said:
Well like they say, if you don't want to upgrade in the future, i'd rather go the mp60 single, then save up and get another one. I was in the same predicament a few months ago. Decided to get the single mp60 for now, then buy another one in a few months.

Don't have no regrets yet. I knew if i went the mp40 X2, in the future i will end upgrading anyways.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's a matter of saving up to buy another one. I think it would be easier to tell my wife just once that we are going to spend that much money on a pump for the fish tank instead of twice! I think I would have to sell it to her 2 different times - twice as difficult!

I can see it now: "You are going to spend how much on a pump for your tank?? Don't you already have a pump in your fish room that will already do that??!!" Of course not honey, but this is a Vortech - every reef should have at least one, and probably two!!:spin3:
 
I run two mp40w's full power on my 75 gallon reef. Definitely go with two mp40w's or two mp60w's, just in case something happens to one. Always good to have a backup when you need to send one in for repair/replacement.
 
Wolfmann81 said:
I don't think it's a matter of saving up to buy another one. I think it would be easier to tell my wife just once that we are going to spend that much money on a pump for the fish tank instead of twice! I think I would have to sell it to her 2 different times - twice as difficult!

I can see it now: "You are going to spend how much on a pump for your tank?? Don't you already have a pump in your fish room that will already do that??!!" Of course not honey, but this is a Vortech - every reef should have at least one, and probably two!!:spin3:
Click to expand...

"twice as difficult!"

i like that because that is so true. for your size tank i would get at least an mp60 on one end and an mp40.

Pen
 
I'm now running 1 MP40 on my 75 gallon on the opposite side of the return... it creates more than enough flow all by itself, but I definitley would love another :)
 
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