Vortech vs Closed Loop?

[GregC]

Believe me, I value your input, and your offer is beyond anything I would ever expect. But I have really put alot of thought into this, I really don't want to have to do it over, lol. For my purposes I truly believe the CL will work best for my application. I wasn't kidding about Cole, heat would only be a temporary setback for him, lol. I am designing my stand so the piping will not be seen, or easily accessed, by those under 4 1/2ft tall. I still want to see the Vortech in action, but for my application the CL will work the best. Gimme a shout when you get a sec JD I'm putting the package together for ya this evening.

 

[Reef Happy]

I am very curious about these pumps myself after reading this thread. I have viewed the operation of them on U-tube in a empty tank. They move alot of water, but I wonder how they will do in a full reef tank. Do they move the sand around? Can you still have strong flow in some areas and low in others? Low flow for low flow corals such as acan and rics. Is there anyone local that has one of these in operation. I would love to see this pump in action close up and personal. Of course if J.D. loans one out to Greg I may want to check it out in his tank. I have two of the Tunze 6000 and I like them okay. The Tunze pumps are loud sometimes, which is a nuisance. Was wondering how the vortech compare to the noise factor.

 

[jpitts101]

the vortech can be noisy if its turned all the way up and depending on the setting you have it on. for example if you have it on reef crest mode 3/4 of the way up you can hear anyting. If you have it on the pulse mode to make waves you can hear it vamp up. I would suggest not running them full blast and youll be okay. I have ric's yumas and acans and all are doing great.

 

[Reef Happy]

Well that does sound impressive. It would be nice to have one of these guys instead of two tunze's. How about the sand issue, do you get any sand storm? My tank is a 156 gal measures 5'x25x25. Aren't the vortech smaller in size than the tunze?

 

[jpitts101]

no sand issue at all. If greg decided to take me up on the offer your more than welcome to borrow it and check it out too. these are awesome powerheads.

 

[Reef Happy]

I would be interested in seeing what it would do in my tank. I think Greg would like to try it out. Talking to him a little while ago. This may help him decide which option is best for him.

 

[Tim Plow]

I bought a Vortech back in March and recently had to send it in because the wet side was having some issues. With that said, I really liked the pump and it does move a lot of water and create a pretty massive undertow.

When I sent my other one back, I bought another Vortech to put on the other end of the tank. I am now waiting for my other one to come back so I can play with two of them. I do have to say say they were very responsive to getting my other one fixed, and I think they will have it back to me in less than two weeks.

I have very find sand in my tank, and I have not really had an issue with it moving too much sand. If you turn it on full blast, it may throw some sand around, but you have a controller so you can dial it in where you want. I do notice some sand shifting in between rocks and places that were pretty stagnant before.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jpitts101]

Okay Greg, I got the 2nd vortech in my tank......crazy!!!! I have a 6 foot tank and can tune it in to where i can make waves come out of my tank! It took about 5 minutes of cordinating the pumps but water stated comeing out of my tank, I didnt know whether to be happy or freak out but its great!!! The max I can put the pumps is about 3/4 speed with 2 pumps on the reef crest setting. The pulse setting is too crazy!

 

[TulsaReefer]

That's really cool. Do you have them on opposite ends of the tank running in anti-sync mode, or on the same end in sync mode?

I'll be joining the 2 Vortech club in a week or so. I picked up an unused non-wireless unit (the old MP40) on Ebay for a pretty decent price, and will be updating it with the wireless controller module and the new Gen 2 magnets. Still will work out even after all that to a pretty decent deal, maybe a little less than my other one.

I also noticed this week, now that I'm down on my 110 to a single Vortech and a modded Tunze 6025, that my average peak temp has dropped anywhere from 1 to 2 degrees. I used to often hit 81 on warm days at peak, now I'm usually only at 79, and once in a while hit 80. Originally I had 2 maxi jets, 2 Koralia 4s, a Seio 620, and one of the smaller Powersweep powerheads. My guess is it was mainly the maxi-jets since they pull around 20 watts each.

 

[jpitts101]

Lee they are on opposite ends on the anti sync mode. I think you will love another especially in your new tank. Most importantly my corals seem to have better color since adding the first, cant wait for the second one's results.

 

[TulsaReefer]

Sounds good, though I may not be looking for a wave depending on how much havoc it plays on my overflows and such. I may try putting them on the same end at first, one up higher, one down lower since the tank is 30" deep. And one end of the tank is in a corner and you'd barely see them on that end. If that doesn't work well enough I'll move the second one around and try different positions to see what works best.

Now with the pair of Tunze 6025s (modded) doing about 1000 each (maybe a bit more), the pair of Vortechs doing anywhere from 1000 to 3200 each, and the returns with eductors doing probably effective water movement of another 1000 for both, I should be able to have a minimum of 5000 to 9400 gallons per hour of movement in a 220 gallon tank. Not too bad in the end, and I'm still only looking at under 150 watts of power draw, and that includes my return pump.

 

[Tim Plow]

I also got both my Vortechs running. I have one on each end. I am running mine on reef crest in anti sync. Everything seems to be enjoying the current.

 

[Lightsluvr]

An idea...

An idea...

I have the Hydor Koralia Wavemaker 2 in my 180G, with a pair of controllable Koralia 4's at opposite ends pushing toward each other in alternating 15 second cycles.

What I am considering is adding a Vortech 40 at one end and putting the two controllable Koralia 4s at the opposing end, still using the wave cycle on the Koralias. That should make for some interesting wave action...

Any thoughts?

LL

 

[TulsaReefer]

I think a MP40 opposing other pumps would work great. And even better if the other pumps are controllable to boot. Should be able to really get quite a bit of random movement since both will be on different cycles and will tend to move the water in many directions over time.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Yup

Yup

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13263657#post13263657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TulsaReefer
I think a MP40 opposing other pumps would work great. And even better if the other pumps are controllable to boot. Should be able to really get quite a bit of random movement since both will be on different cycles and will tend to move the water in many directions over time.

Yes, the Korlaia 4's are the 12v versions attached to a Wavemaker 2 controller.

How is the noise on the 40?

LL

 

[jpitts101]

I was running 2 tunze 6025's ( similiar flow as the k-4's) and my flow was nice. I just got the vortech bug and bought another.

Dave ( D.G. ), so whats the verdict?

 

[Reef Happy]

Thank you for the loan Dave.
I am impressed with the performance of this pump. I really love the flow on just using 1 vortech pump much better v my 2 Tunze's.
But saying that I must say that the vortech pump is louder in comparison than both of the Tunze's put together. I am still working on trying to get it aligned so it isn't as noisy.

 

[jpitts101]

sorry Doug, Are you going to go with them or stay with the tunze?
sorry for calling you Dave, i know your name but its been a long day!

 

[Reef Happy]

That's funny, I have been called all kinds of names.
I don't know yet what I am going to do. I am going to play with it a few days if that is okay to get a better idea about the settings and adjustments. And then I can pass it on to greg.

 

[TulsaReefer]

The noise on the Vortech seems to be quite variable, and not only speed related. Some just seem quieter than others, and they do say it takes a day or so on new pumps to get things broken in. I know Tim said his new pumps was much quieter than his older one. I'm getting an older one and will be upgrading both the controller and magnet so I'll be interested in seeing how much of a difference that makes. And I have a brand new Gen 2 that is pretty quiet, not silent, but not really loud where I have it located. With the motor on the outside of the tank the Vortech will probably always be louder than a submersed pump.

The problem is while I like Tunze equipment, I don't like the size or shape of the existing Streams. Too big and bulky, and I hate the size and shape of the existing magnet holders as well. The new Stream 2 will be shaped like the nano streams just a little bigger, but round and. and will have smaller round magnets that should be not as noticeable. The problem is the new Streams 2 may not be out until around the end of the year, but I am interested in what they will be like when they come out.