VorTech Pump – What the Future Holds
- Thread starter ASH
- Start date
tangman99
New member
I assume I would only need one of these for a 90 gallon reef to be able to keep SPS. My LFS has them in stock. Can I just go buy one from him and still get the same upgrade deal as if I ordered them from you or one of your retailers? I been thinking of one of these for a while and just saw one today for the first time at my LFS on his tank. Very nice.
I put one on our 380 today (tank is still filling with RO/DI water, so no other water movement is going on). Dang, it collected all kinds of crap from all over the tank into it's grill on the wet end (I had some old LR that had been set out to dry ages ago, I hosed it off as best I could, but obviously missed some). I can't wait to get the tank setup and the other 4 Vortecs into it, not to mention when they finally get us a multi-controller (or any controller) for these 
edit : that is collected that crap in the tank was not a negative, but a testament to how much water, and from what distance, the pump pulled.
edit : that is collected that crap in the tank was not a negative, but a testament to how much water, and from what distance, the pump pulled.
Sparkss - I hope you're taking pictures.
tangman99 - I would set one up going against the flow from your return. By using a timer you can change the flow many times a day when the VorTech goes off (or to 1/2 speed on a battery backup). Always allow at least 10 minutes between on/off cycles or longer.
When the upgrade / single controller is made available you'll have many more options. As it will be able to ramp up and down by program, waiting time between min and max flow doesn't exist. The upgrade offer is to anyone owning or buying a current version VorTech pump. If you buy one 2nd hand, the offer still applies.
In time, depending on the amount of coral growth you have, you may want to add a 2nd VorTech Pump. At IC we have one on a 75G reef and it rocks.
Andy
tangman99 - I would set one up going against the flow from your return. By using a timer you can change the flow many times a day when the VorTech goes off (or to 1/2 speed on a battery backup). Always allow at least 10 minutes between on/off cycles or longer.
When the upgrade / single controller is made available you'll have many more options. As it will be able to ramp up and down by program, waiting time between min and max flow doesn't exist. The upgrade offer is to anyone owning or buying a current version VorTech pump. If you buy one 2nd hand, the offer still applies.
In time, depending on the amount of coral growth you have, you may want to add a 2nd VorTech Pump. At IC we have one on a 75G reef and it rocks.
Andy
tangman99
New member
Thanks Andy,
I'm off the pick it up at lunch. I have a Crocea clam on the bottom of my tank sitting on a 5" sandbed. If I place the Vortech on the opposite side of my tank from the return and higher up, can I still get sufficient flow and not disturb the sandbed or the clam too much? Just want to make sure before I actually put it in the tank in case I have to return it.
tangman99
New member
Andy,
I picked up the Vortech over lunch and read through all the instruction over lunch. Just to ensure that know how to mount this thing, I have a 90 gallon allglass that has 3/8" glass. I went ahead and set the spacer as instructed to 3/8. My LFS said he had a problem with his motor falling off and said he had to remove the paper that say "Do not remove" to get his to work. If I run into a problem with the motor falling off, I assume that is not the preferred solution. If everything is well cleaned and this happens, do you you move the pin spacer down to the next thinnest glass setting or would that cause problems. I'm hoping it's not an issue but Murphy is never far away when I set out to do something so I just want to make sure I know what to do going in.
Thanks.
I picked up the Vortech over lunch and read through all the instruction over lunch. Just to ensure that know how to mount this thing, I have a 90 gallon allglass that has 3/8" glass. I went ahead and set the spacer as instructed to 3/8. My LFS said he had a problem with his motor falling off and said he had to remove the paper that say "Do not remove" to get his to work. If I run into a problem with the motor falling off, I assume that is not the preferred solution. If everything is well cleaned and this happens, do you you move the pin spacer down to the next thinnest glass setting or would that cause problems. I'm hoping it's not an issue but Murphy is never far away when I set out to do something so I just want to make sure I know what to do going in.
Thanks.
tangman99 - If the dryside isn't being held up, adjust the pin spacer for the next LARGER size glass. Call IC , ext. 25 if questions remain.
chad508 - reverse direction? That's not in the cards. I think you'd launch the wet side into space if you did, unless crunching up fish slowed it down.
Andy
chad508 - reverse direction? That's not in the cards. I think you'd launch the wet side into space if you did, unless crunching up fish slowed it down.
Andy
tangman99
New member
Ash,
Thanks. The motor is holding fine with the correct setting so no problems there. I am having trouble getting the prop to continue spinning as I posted in a new thread, but I spoke with Dave this morning and I'm going to try a few things when I get home so I hope that will be resolved.
LoneStarSA
New member
Ok its been a spell since I looked into these VorTech forums. After purchasing one last night I have just seen the generous offer of the $50 upgrade.
My question is how do we go about doing this upgrade? I know we are a few months out before everyone can take advantage of this but if we get some kinda idea on how this will play out, that would help. From what I see the white driver is hard wired to the external motor. Are we going to have to mail this section into IceCap (or where ever specified) or is it going to be a kit that we can do at home?
Will the single controller be a seperate external box, that either through wires or wirelessly, control the new driver? Or will the new upgrade have the single controller and driver built into one box that is hardwired to the motor?
Also, for those who have bough VorTech pumps second hand, will the $50 offer be passed to those owners too?
I really dig this pump! I can't wait to get it running on my system. Hopefully it won't take long to get water in the tank
I have just seen the generous offer of the $50 upgrade. My question is how do we go about doing this upgrade? I know we are a few months out before everyone can take advantage of this but if we get some kinda idea on how this will play out, that would help. From what I see the white driver is hard wired to the external motor. Are we going to have to mail this section into IceCap (or where ever specified) or is it going to be a kit that we can do at home?
Will the single controller be a seperate external box, that either through wires or wirelessly, control the new driver? Or will the new upgrade have the single controller and driver built into one box that is hardwired to the motor?
Also, for those who have bough VorTech pumps second hand, will the $50 offer be passed to those owners too?
I really dig this pump! I can't wait to get it running on my system. Hopefully it won't take long to get water in the tank
IceCap Service
Registered Member
The upgrade is something you can do at home. The driver (white box) is the only thing you will need to change. When you get the upgrade you will get a different driver. It is not hard wired. Just remove the driver cover and there is a quick disconnect plug to the motor. As you will see it is very simple.
The offer will be able to be passed on to 2nd hand owners.
I will let ASH chime in on the other questions.
The offer will be able to be passed on to 2nd hand owners.
I will let ASH chime in on the other questions.
Beenalongtime79
New member
This deal is actually what sold me on getting a vortech. I am definitely signing up for this offer once it becomes available!
That's awesome that you guys are offering this to the early adopters as well as new adopters!
Peace,
John
That's awesome that you guys are offering this to the early adopters as well as new adopters!
Peace,
John
LoneStarSA - re "Will the single controller be a separate external box, that either through wires or wirelessly, control the new driver? Or will the new upgrade have the single controller and driver built into one box that is hardwired to the motor?"
If you've read the treads you know that's one point I will not be comment on. I'm sure once we have them running at IC we're going to need a guard dog to keep out the paparazzi.
Andy
If you've read the treads you know that's one point I will not be comment on. I'm sure once we have them running at IC we're going to need a guard dog to keep out the paparazzi.
Andy
Hal - As I understand it, to be able to go beyond speed, pulse and frequency control you need a wireless controller to coordinate pumps.
I would imagine many VorTech Pump owners will be fine with just using the upgraded driver and a timer. By manually cycling the two pumps I have I've become interested in what's possible. I was never into a high flow tank but found it was easy to get used to and the corals seem to need it. By controlling multiple pumps I think we'll see that intelligent pumps move more water than even larger capacity closed loop pumps.
Andy
I would imagine many VorTech Pump owners will be fine with just using the upgraded driver and a timer. By manually cycling the two pumps I have I've become interested in what's possible. I was never into a high flow tank but found it was easy to get used to and the corals seem to need it. By controlling multiple pumps I think we'll see that intelligent pumps move more water than even larger capacity closed loop pumps.
Andy
