Wavebox vs. VorTech vs. Koralia

[Eric_L]

(I just posted this on the SCMAS forum so I apologize for the duplication, but I am interested in seeing some our Denver aquarist opinions.) Thank you for your time in advance.

I am sure this has been discussed 1,000 times already so I apologize, but I can find positives and negatives regarding both. I want to hear your thoughts (good, bad, and ugly). I am trying to determine which type of technology I will be going with for my 180. Thankfully I have 6 weeks to decide seeing I just started cycling my tank. I really like the wavebox, but holy smokes they are pricey once you get everything needed. The VorTech's aren't cheap either (small fortune), but I don't want to spend $400 on 4 different powerheads to get the same amount of flow, and still end up replacing them down the road with a wavebox or VorTech. I am assuming I would need two VorTech's to create a decent wave? Would they both be on pulse on one side of the tank or would they be on opposite ends with a rotating timer? Or should I just get a few Koralia 7's and call it done and save a TON of money. I believe my aqua controller has the ability to set up timers for a wavemaker, but the Koralia's are not made to turn on and off every few seconds which is needed to create the wave. Any insight would be appreciated as this is all new to me. BTW... Anyone have a used wavebox or VorTech they want to sell me at a decent price? ha

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Zooid]

I have two Vortechs on my 200g. I love them but I need two more. Two would probably work on a 180 (six feet long?) but four would be excellent. They don't need to be on timers at all. I have mine set for reefcrest mode all the time except when they go into night mode. When I first turned the Vortechs on in the tank I could literally see the undertow they were creating at the sandbed. My Sebae anemone started standing up because the flow was getting under him.
The only thing that I don't like about the Vortechs are that they are really quiet. OK, that's still a good thing lol. I was used to hearing so much noise from my closed loop pumps that I would wake up from a deep sleep if the power died. Now, I can only hear the water flowing from the overflow to the sump.

 

[LooseHip]

2 MP40w on a standard 180 6x2x2 is plenty. When I had my 180 setup I had 2 Mp40's and stuff was blowing all over! You can definetely get a decent wave with two mp40's on that size tank.

I also tinkered around with a wavebox, it can create a larger wave that appears to be more suttle then the wave created by the vortech's, but the footprint of that thing is quite a bit more. I don't really think you can go wrong with either choice, but based on foot print and versatility, i prefer the vortech's.

 

[68RUSTANG]

I just received the new Koralia Evolutions. Wow! What great power heads, the design is really good. Silent operation and start up thanks to being shock mounted and soft start mode.

I have a Vortech MP40w and am not satisfied with the quality. The longest it has run without breaking is one month. Yesterday the shaft broke again, initially they said they had a bad batch of parts and sent replacements from the same batch. They do have excellent customer service and finally ended up sending me a brand new wet side. That is the one that broke yesterday. When running they are an excellent way to create random flow in your tank.

I don't think I would rely on them for your only flow in your tank.

 

[wirick181]

i have a mp40 for sale $300 pm me if interested

 

[phillipj2]

Imo if you have deep enough pockets get two vortecs. My friend had one it was amazing wide flow which would take two koralleas to duplicate. Less wires and they work off each other with wireless very sweet I can't wait to get mine next week. My coworker has used a wave timer on his k4's for over a year. They are very noisy but a cheap alternative.

 

[Eric_L]

Thank you very much for your replies as it does help give me some great insight. The good news is; it sounds like I can't lose either way I go. I appreciate all your time and help.