VorTech Pump What is the Service Life?

STEVEBEAM

New member
Hi All,

I am trying to get an estimate on the average service life for a VorTech pump. I know there are several factors that can influence the service life of equipment. I am only trying to get an average.

So How long have you been running your VorTech Pump without problems?

Thanks,
Steve
 
I bought my first one 3 years ago and it was a gen1 (metal driver, and original magnet). Since then I've bought a new driver for the old unit, new magnet assembly for the gen1, and another pump (gen2 new plastic driver but old code). I sent in my new driver for a free firmware upgrade and a new magnet. I then updated my other driver with the newest code using the one I sent in.

I've never had an issue with either of them. Just wanted to keep them up to date..... hth
 
dont think the vortechs have been out long enough to evaluate their longevity....especially the gen2 that just came out this year. i purchased two vortechs in march of '08 and had to replace both wetsides with gen2 upgrades due to them rusting out. whatever engineer designed the gen1's with with exposed metal parts must have been on drugs! i still like the vortechs and i hope my new gen 2's last for a long time.
 
i hope the gen 2's are as good as advertised.... and i love my vortechs, but i won't totally believe it until i see. how they ever put the gen 1's on the market to begin with is beyond me. any idiot would have figured out they wouldnt last. all is well if they the gen 2's live up to their billing though.
 
I agree, I hope the gen-2s prove to be reliable. I will be building my 240 later this year, and i would love to throw 2 of them in there in place of the wavebox. I like the box, but its just so big!
 
rouselb.....have you been able to duplicate the wave effect of the wavebox with the vortechs? i certainly don't seem able to do so. i've tried anti-synch long and short pulse and just about every other combination. i love the back and forth effect the wavebox brings, but don't really want to dedicate the room it takes up inside the tank. my next tank i'll leave room for the wavebox and use the vortechs for circulation
 
I dont think you can duplicate the wave motion you get from a dedicated wave box with a vortech. I had a thread about this, and the consensus was to use a wave box for the rocking motion. The Tunze 6212 (WB) is sweet, it creates a great rocking motion, anything you have on the bottom of your tank will love it. My softies love it, my plates love it, and it helps keep the debris suspended and in the water column. The things are just so large. There are two approaches with the boxes for new tank builds. One is to build an external box and drill a hole in the side wall of the tank and mount it externally. The other is to build your rock work around it in the back corner, but any way you do it, you need an open rock work scheme for it to function properly.
 
Tunze has the 6206 nano wavebox now which is a lot smaller. Rated for 39 to 158 USgal.
Dimensions: L 4.9 x W 2.1 x H 8.6 in.
 
i have the nano wavebox and while i love the wave effects, i just don't have the room in my tank with the current rockwork to incorporate it unless its in the front of my tank and i just don't like the look. i need to re-do all my rockwork so i can hide the wavebox in the back of my tank and i'm not ready to do that yet, but my next tank i'll definately design room for it and use my vortechs for circulation.
 
I've had one Vortech MP40 for a little over two months and I love it. Seems reliable so far, I'm saving up for another one thats how I know that I really like it. Also I couldn't imagine setting up a tank without one.

Jason
 
Let me answer your question:

Theoretically the Vortech "dry side" motor should last as long as you run your tank (not "forever" of course, but sufficiently long). You will have to replace the wet side components occasionally, and they run around $10-15.00 if I remember right.
 
Thanks BigJay,
Theoretically is nice but I am looking for actual Service life experienced by owners of Vortechs so far. I have had experiences with other equipment that theoretically should have lasted for many years fail after only three months.
Steve
 
Like macreefster stated above, gen-2s just came out. Your going to have to give it some time before there is service data to back your request. Ecotech had a list of things to fix from Gen-1, and it looks like they have really worked on each item. Also, if you read through their forum, you can tell that there is no where near as many issues as when Gen-1 came out.
 
IMO - the best circulation pump available.... If you can afford it. Otherwise, I've heard good thinks about the Koralia Magnums.
 
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