fishhead79
Member
I wanted to see what the general consensus was of flow. Closed loop or power heads? I have a 220 and I'm weighing my options at this point.
Vortech VS. Oceans Motions
- Thread starter fishhead79
- Start date
mc-cro
(macro)
I was all set to drill my new 160g tank for a closed loop. I had drawn out my plumbing system and made several changes on paper, several times. Then I started adding up the costs for closed loop: A few hundred dollars for a good pump, several hundred dollars an oceans motion, a hundred dollars for good true unions, etc. By the time I had it all added together, I was in the same price range as a pair of used vortechs.
The vortechs however, are dirt cheap on electricity, and you can move them. if your not getting the flow you want, just adjust them, or even move them, no problem. you cant really do that with a closed loop. You can make small adjustments with a closed loop, but basically, where you drill the holes is what you got. There is no chance of them leaking and giving you nightmares under your tank. Or for that matter ever failing and draining your entire tank.
You can also run the vortechs in a power outage from a 12v battery for circulation.
So other than initial purchase price, I cant think of any downsides to the vortechs. And even the price is not really out of line once you start adding up all the money for a closed loop done with even remotely the same amount of random flow patterns
The vortechs however, are dirt cheap on electricity, and you can move them. if your not getting the flow you want, just adjust them, or even move them, no problem. you cant really do that with a closed loop. You can make small adjustments with a closed loop, but basically, where you drill the holes is what you got. There is no chance of them leaking and giving you nightmares under your tank. Or for that matter ever failing and draining your entire tank.
You can also run the vortechs in a power outage from a 12v battery for circulation.
So other than initial purchase price, I cant think of any downsides to the vortechs. And even the price is not really out of line once you start adding up all the money for a closed loop done with even remotely the same amount of random flow patterns
fishhead79
Member
Thanks Mc-cro,
I should have given a little history of the tank. The tank has 2x 2" holes already drilled for the closed loop. This was how I purchased it. I found a person that was breaking down their tank that had 2x 4-way Oceans motions for $265.00 including shipping. I felt that it was a no brainer. I was thinking that with flex pipe I could adjust the locations of flow and not have to have the look of the powerheads and cords in my tank. JMO
Tat2demon
New member
I voted for OM. I had to make the same choice just recently when setting up my 240.
I got 6 month old OM 4 way and a Super Dart Gold for $425. About $150 in plumbing and the CL is done.
Vortechs may be cheaper to run but I'm not going to drop $1000 on a pair of them. My CL only costs about $7 a month so it would take just shy of 6 years to even out the cost difference. I also really didn't want cords running on the outside of my tank. Another reason I chose not to use them was the noise. 5 people in the local club have had problems with bearings starting to chatter. Even with good bearings you still hear the motors constantly winding up and down.
One thing they have over CLs is that they can be moved.
I got 6 month old OM 4 way and a Super Dart Gold for $425. About $150 in plumbing and the CL is done.
Vortechs may be cheaper to run but I'm not going to drop $1000 on a pair of them. My CL only costs about $7 a month so it would take just shy of 6 years to even out the cost difference. I also really didn't want cords running on the outside of my tank. Another reason I chose not to use them was the noise. 5 people in the local club have had problems with bearings starting to chatter. Even with good bearings you still hear the motors constantly winding up and down.
One thing they have over CLs is that they can be moved.
fishhead79
Member
Thanks Nate.
Does anyone else have experience with the Oceans Motions? Or Pics of their system running with the OM unit?
mc-cro
(macro)
fwiw, I think I paid $650 for my MP40w's used.
I also cant stand to see vortechs on the side of a tank, so I mounted mine on the back.
granted you cannot do the standing wave thing, but that is also where you hear that annoying noise from them constantly ramping up.
I run my 2 vortechs on reefcrest mode and they are almost completely silent. once in a while you will hear them, but barely.
A friend came over not too long ago and commented on how quiet this tank, he was comparing it to my old tank that did have a closed loop and an annoying loud pump in the stand.
I also cant stand to see vortechs on the side of a tank, so I mounted mine on the back.
granted you cannot do the standing wave thing, but that is also where you hear that annoying noise from them constantly ramping up.
I run my 2 vortechs on reefcrest mode and they are almost completely silent. once in a while you will hear them, but barely.
A friend came over not too long ago and commented on how quiet this tank, he was comparing it to my old tank that did have a closed loop and an annoying loud pump in the stand.
I'm actually planning on running both....My big thing with the Vortech's MP60's was the cost.....OM's I've run in the past on a 240 and had no issues and really liked the flow, but the point made about once it's drilled your basically stuck with the positioning is true.....
Needless to say I'm going to be running (3) MP60's and a 4Way on my new setup.....I guess best of both worlds.....
Needless to say I'm going to be running (3) MP60's and a 4Way on my new setup.....I guess best of both worlds.....
fishhead79
Member
I would love to see pics of these setups to give me some ideas. I currently have a 120 gal with my sump in the basement. I would like to do something similar with the 220. I wonder if there is any issues with running the closed loop to the basement to cut back on noise.
Tat2demon
New member
Heres a pic when I took out all my rock to redo it so you can see the positioning of the drains and outlets. Looking back I should have put the drains on the back wall.
Pay no attention to the cyano, only using shop lights and its playing hell on it.
solitude127
Proud user of IO Salt!
My biggest thing with a CL is what happens if the bulk head leaks. If you can guarantee me that it won't, I'd go with the CL.
fishhead79
Member
Ah but less likely to have a voltage leak.
fishhead79
Member
oops, for a second I was thinking Korillia... lol:mtool:
fishhead79
Member
Anyone else have any pics of their Oceans Motions in action?
James77
Team RC
Not with a vortech, they are DC first off and the motor is outside the tank.
I can barely sleep at night with my top off and overflow setup, let alone a half dozen holes in the bottom(or anywhere more than 2 inches from th top_ of my tank. All that is separating that water from your floor is a plastic bulkhead and rubber seal? :lol: no thanks!
Tat2demon
New member
:lmao::lmao::lmao:
I cant say I really worry about it but it is funny how fast you wake up when the sound of the water changes in even the slightest way.
James77
Team RC
Yeah I can imagine...Ugh...I hear my top off water splashing into the sump and my heart stops if it goes longer than 15 seconds
.I guess you would get used to it, plus it is not all that different from any other bulkhead I guess. Its just the thought and look of all the holes everywhere i guess
Firochromis
New member
I voted for Vortech because I understand the questions as flow pumps vs. closed loops. If you had Tunze in poll, I'd chose it And to compare the cost of a cl to a electronic controllable unit is not fair. You can buy two Tunze 6125 (12000 lt/h) or similar and blow your tank for low costs. If the OM doesn't have a controller unit and adjustable flow; then the price comparison is not fair.
I haven't used a CL but I really can't see an advantage of it. The flow on a closed loop can be dangerous to animals and to rock design. And I think the best way to use a OM is on return pumps, not closed loops. Some people have 1000 g or more flow in their return lines and to use it as a alternating flow with a Ocean Motion IS good for supplementing the flow pumps (Tunze, Vortech etc)
And to compare the cost of a cl to a electronic controllable unit is not fair. You can buy two Tunze 6125 (12000 lt/h) or similar and blow your tank for low costs. If the OM doesn't have a controller unit and adjustable flow; then the price comparison is not fair.I haven't used a CL but I really can't see an advantage of it. The flow on a closed loop can be dangerous to animals and to rock design. And I think the best way to use a OM is on return pumps, not closed loops. Some people have 1000 g or more flow in their return lines and to use it as a alternating flow with a Ocean Motion IS good for supplementing the flow pumps (Tunze, Vortech etc)
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