Vortech MP40W propeller pump

[Anonymous]

I have one and it is currently working very well. I had my first one broken right out of the box. The second one's wet side crapped out in two weeks. The flow is very wide and strong(I use it in short pulse mode opposite a Tunze stream with it on the highest flow setting). I do plan on another across the tank to replace the Tunze. I use mine on a 125, but it would work great on a 75.

 

[Anonymous]

BTW the customer service is excellent IME.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Great! Thanks for all the helpful tips. I can't wait to get this thing into my tank. Good bye Koralia, hello VorTech.

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck. The possibilities are next to limitless(the only shortfall is directing the flow) with the vortech.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Well, that's it, I bought it last night. I should have it in a few days. I can't wait. :lol:

I hope that it's not too much for my softies. I'll get some pics up once I have it installed.

 

[fcmatt]

BTW the customer service is excellent IME.

It has to be. I bought one when they first came out and had to RMA a wet
side piece. I then had to RMA the control unit.

In the end I simply sold it when I let go of my tank due to a move and would
really consider hard if I ever bought again. Fish tank equipment should not
be such a pain in the rear. Also getting it quiet is a fun little game of sticking
your arm into the tank again and again until it is just right. Even then it had
a hum on higher flow levels.

Simply put, for that much money, it was not worth it to me.

And from I have read on the forums... I am not alone in how many times the
pumps have troubles. Oh sure, once working it is great.. but for how long? A
year or two before some other part has trouble?

Pass. I will investigate other stuff for the new tank I am thinking of.

 

[jlneng]

I have 1 on each end of my 180 reef tank. I upgraded to the wireless drivers and I really like them. I have mine set on reef crest mode, anti-sync. Max speed set about 50%. They provide a great pull off of the bottom and a nice flow above that. My corals are all very happy with them.No problems in about 20 months of use. The randomness of the speeds keeps my sps corals bright. I don't have mine set to make waves, just providing good flow. The demos showing big waves are cool but flows like that would cause havoc, at least in my tank because of the placement of some corals very close to the water surface. The wireless drivers now offer a night mode, and a long pulse mode. The night mode automatically slows the pumps down for 10 hours using the drivers internal clock. If you buy an MP40, make sure it is a Gen 2 unit. Hope this helps answer your ?

 

[Sea Turtle]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure if it is a Gen 2 unit or not. I called the store before ordering it and he said that it was the most recent updated model. I guess I will have to take his word for it. Anyway, if not I'm sure he will be cool if I send it back. I buy all my stuff from him. What does the Gen 2 represent? Does this have soimething to do with the computer unit or motor?

 

[Sea Turtle]

I am sorry that you had so much trouble with your model. It seems like that was some time ago, I'm sure they have come a long way since then. I have heard nothing but good things about this pump. I did hear one person say that they had some problem with the wet side but sent it back and had it fixed quickly. Well, anyway, let's hope it doesn't go that rout as I will be irate!!!

 

[Ben1]

I had no issues with my gen1, I bought it as soon as it came out. I later replaced the driver to the wireless driver, and then upgraded to the new wet side assembly, which has a magnet coated in epoxy.

 

[Sea Turtle]

The wet side magnet assembly with apoxy is the new one correct?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes the one that is coated is the Gen2. The box will also have a silver "Gen2" sticker on it.

Your softies will be fine. My softies have opened up more than ever since adding the vortech. I run mine on full blast reef crest mode, along with a tunze(1875 gph) on 4 second pulse mode opposite the vortech.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Wow. Tha's great. I'm really looking forward to it. Might have to convince my wife to let me open it a few days early. :lol:

I'll let you guys know how it goes once installed.

 

[Sea Turtle]

OK, I got it set up in the tank!!! 8O

I am very impressed. Not a fast as I thought it would be. I have a 75 gallon and at full throtle I still feel I could use some more.

I will have a bunch of questions from here out on this thing. Here's the first one. Where is the best place to position it in relation to top and bottom? Also, which is the best mode to have it set on?

Thanks.

 

[SnowManSnow]

How big is your tank snowman?

new tank is 120

 

[SnowManSnow]

i would say about 8 inches from top of water surface and the mode is according to what you want to do.

b

 

[Anonymous]

Mine is located about 7-8" to center from the top. I use mine on full power on reefcrest mode. Don't be fooled by the flow. It is a very wide flow and reaches the far end of my 6' 125 gallon tank when it is running on high.

Make sure you have it adjusted properly.