EcoTech Marine MP40 Vortech

[VB68]

Okay, I'm thinking about ordering a EcoTech Marine MP40 Vortech . Those that have one, what do you think about it, pros or cons, likes, dislikes, does it rattle when starting, will it be big enough for a 100 gal tank???? any input will be helpful.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

Tagging along. Also trying to decide if it's worth that much $ just to move water.

 

[lawnman]

I am waiting on mine it should be here any day. I bought it for my 75 gallon. I will update once I get it.

 

[bct15]

I doubted all the hype about mp40s when I use to read it. I decided to try them out and I am very impressed. If your tank is 5 feet you might want two because it does not push water as far as a tunze or koralia, but everything (livestock) looks a lot better after adding the two mp40s. The flow pattern is hard to explain, but they seem to move a lot of water everywhere in the tank. One of mine arrived flashing red and green (not working) but ecotech sent me a new one. The biggest draw back is they are somewhat loud compared to other powerheads, my tank is in my living room and I can hear the powerhead in the kitchen when spinning full speed. My wife said it sounds like tornado sirens, I don't know about that but it is a light electric motor wine. My overall assessment is that the mp40 is a nice product and they are worth the coin, and they are not hard to resell at minimal loss either, if you decide it is to loud.

 

[Glenn]

I have two MP40s (both bought used) on my 4x2x2 120g tank and they are great ! I have them set with the Apex controller to only run during daylight hours and the movement in the tank is very nice. I use only the reefcrest mode at 100%.

 

[STL]

Okay, I'm thinking about ordering a EcoTech Marine MP40 Vortech . Those that have one, what do you think about it, pros or cons, likes, dislikes, does it rattle when starting, will it be big enough for a 100 gal tank???? any input will be helpful.

Pros:
- No rattle when starting
- Built-in controller
- Built-in wireless sync with Radion lights, other Vortechs and Apex WDM module
- Adjustable speed, program modes
- Incredible flow
- No heat transferred into the tank, no power cords inside the tank
- Mostly quiet
- Easy to clean
- Easy to mount, and very secure when mounted

Cons:
- Can't aim it
- Can be damaged/noisy if mounted incorrectly
- Price

I have two on a 180 gallon tank (6'x2'x2'). They're set to anti-sync mode (one slows down when the other speeds up). I run them at about 40% power and get appropriate flow in the tank (mostly LPS, a couple SPS, and several softies).

I've also got an MP10 on a 55 gallon tank. I had some fishing line for a fish trap fall into that tank and wrap around the propeller while I was at work. I came home and found the Vortech controller had stopped the pump and started flashing red/green. I turned it off, pulled the line out, turned it back on and voila!

 

[julie22]

Pros:
- No rattle when starting
- Built-in controller
- Built-in wireless sync with Radion lights, other Vortechs and Apex WDM module
- Adjustable speed, program modes
- Incredible flow
- No heat transferred into the tank, no power cords inside the tank
- Mostly quiet
- Easy to clean
- Easy to mount, and very secure when mounted

Cons:
- Can't aim it
- Can be damaged/noisy if mounted incorrectly
- Price

I have two on a 180 gallon tank (6'x2'x2'). They're set to anti-sync mode (one slows down when the other speeds up). I run them at about 40% power and get appropriate flow in the tank

+1 on this post. I also have a 180 gal 72x24x24. I have had my vortechs few months and am very impressed. I was hesitant about spending that much on powerheads but I love the look of no cords in the tank. I splurged and bought the package with 2 mp40s and the battery back up. I knew if I was not happy I could get my money back on resell. I am very happy with them and plan on keeping them for a long time.

 

[VB68]

Thanks for the input ........

 

[cm079]

I have two MP40s (both bought used) on my 4x2x2 120g tank and they are great ! I have them set with the Apex controller to only run during daylight hours and the movement in the tank is very nice. I use only the reefcrest mode at 100%.

You have it on 100% in a 120? Holy crap, I have a 120 and have it so low because it is too much flow for my tank. My coral gets miserable if I raise them

 

[Glenn]

The two pumps are less than a foot off the floor of the tank - about 9" in front of them is the beginning of the rock work. Each side of the rock work starts with a fairly large piece of flat rock sitting on its end. The main thrust of the pumps hits the flat edge of the rock and is diverted up and to the front and back of the tank. The only 'coral' getting direct attention is a pesky Kenya tree and its growth has been greatly stifled by the intense flow.

 

[shred5]

I honestly think they are too expensive now with the new sicce pumps and evolutions being so cheap, it get harder to justify the price. When it was mainly Tunze and ecotech you didn’t have much choice.. Don’t get me wrong, they are very nice. I just opted out of getting two of them on my reef. You really need 2 wireless to get the true type of current (back and forth) one only pushes water in one direction really and two mp40's is really too expensive. . I think they need something between the m40 and the mp10 which would make them much more reasonable for mid sized tanks.. I think for a smaller tanks the mp-10 is a great choice. Again don’t get me wrong they are great pumps and I have never had an issue with them I just think there are alternatives that are much cheaper now. The main difference is they take up a little more real state in the tank but the new evolutions are much smaller now and you can aim them plus they are both made to run on wave makers with no noise. If you have the money to throw around the ecotechs are a great choice.