Vortech powerheads

[chaseg89]

The more I hear about the vortech pumps everyone makes the mp20's sound like the duds in the group. I also heard that even though the mp20's gph is ranked higher that the mp10 can put out just as much flow. My question...is the close to thirty bucks extra for the ecosmart driver worth it?

 

[Crab Rangoon]

The more I hear about the vortech pumps everyone makes the mp20's sound like the duds in the group. I also heard that even though the mp20's gph is ranked higher that the mp10 can put out just as much flow. My question...is the close to thirty bucks extra for the ecosmart driver worth it?

I'm a bit confused by your question.. but the MP20 is the only unit that I believe to not be compatible with wireless or EcoSmart usage.

Both the MP10w and the MP40w can be upgraded to (or purchased new with) the EcoSmart driver. If you already had an MP20, though, you can buy a kit through VorTech that will upgrade it to MP40 spec, which I assume you can also upgrade to wireless and/or ES driver once it's to MP40 specifications.

Does this help at all?

 

[Kilgore]

Crab is right on the money, Vortech's website explains it really well too.

 

[chaseg89]

I guess I was a bit unclear. My question was is getting the mp10 es worth the extra money it costs as opposed to just the mp10 without the ecosmart driver? I know the ecosmart driver has some other features, but my question was more are those extra features worth the extra money? sorry about the confusion and thanks for the replies.

 

[milkman55]

They don't make a MP10w, only a non-wireless MP10 or the new EcoSmart MP10.

I really don't expect to see the MP20 in their lineup for long. I have the original non-wireless MP10 and it is a very powerful pump. Unless you need multiple pumps with the wireless connectivity, the MP10 should be good up to 40 gal.

For your 57 gal, it would be marginal depending on what you plan to keep in your tank. It would be fine for soft and some LPS. You would need a MP40 if you plan to keep SPS.

Just my opinion.

 

[AaronReeph]

For a 57 gallon, I would get two MP10W ES pumps and run them in one of the master/slave modes. I'd rather do that than get one MP40W, better wave/pulse motion and better random flow with two pumps. Of course, the MP40 might be a good idea if you plan to upgrade tanks soon...
In my opinion, the additional money for the ES pumps is worth it. I have two MP40W ES pumps on my 180 and am loving it.

 

[taklein65]

+1 on what AaronReeph said. I have 2-MP40W ES in my 120 1 on each end in NTM and love it.

 

[tkeracer619]

The only difference between mp40 and mp20 is driver and power supply. Purchase those two and an mp20 turns into whichever mp40 driver you buy.

I would go with two mp10es for your tank

The reason mp10s feel like they produce as much flow as a mp20 is because the mp20 is larger. They are not duds of any sort. I ran a mp20 on a frag tank for a long while and it did great.

 

[chaseg89]

Well I was previously planning on going with an mp20 but then was getting mixed signals because some people were saying the mp10 is just as good as the mp20, which pricewise also makes a big difference. So now I am thinking on going with an mp10es coupled with the flow from my return. Decisions...decisions

 

[Mike31154]

With regard to your original question if the ES feature is worthwile. Yes and no. It is more worthwile when you have multiple pumps. The whole idea behind the wireless feature is to have more than one working together or anti synchronized. If you plan on using only one pump, neither wireless, nor ES features are really all that helpful. Having said that, from my experience, after using one of these, it's not long before the itch for a second becomes rather unbearable.

 

[kimber45]

I guess I was a bit unclear. My question was is getting the mp10 es worth the extra money it costs as opposed to just the mp10 without the ecosmart driver?

i own both and imo unless your looking for wireless the es isn't worth the near 50 dollar premium.

even with the es i use lagoon mode most the time.

 

[VtheMaestro]

For a 57 gallon, I would get two MP10W ES pumps and run them in one of the master/slave modes. I'd rather do that than get one MP40W, better wave/pulse motion and better random flow with two pumps. Of course, the MP40 might be a good idea if you plan to upgrade tanks soon...
In my opinion, the additional money for the ES pumps is worth it. I have two MP40W ES pumps on my 180 and am loving it.

+1. that's what i did, i'm getting great flow in my tank

 

[chaseg89]

Im planning on buying one mp10 to start out with and eventually getting another once my funds recover from the build... only a few pieces of equipment left until the build begins. Getting the new light on Saturday! :spin1:

 

[troyman]

anyone who says vortech are duds either dont have one or is misguided they are excellent pumps cant be matched

 

[rocket500]

Just got my mp10es and am already lovin it.Definetly worth it.

 

[troyman]

most definatly are

 

[E.intheC]

To further confuse you . I have used both the mp10 and mp20. I prefer the latter for most tanks, as I feel the flow is broader. Its a bit too narrow in the mp10. I think mp10's are great for tanks like the 10 gal or 20 long. Looks like the mp20's will be phased out though.