Quietman
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First equipment comparison/review post. Hope this can help others who are trying to decide which power head is best for them. This is NOT a "bash the pump" post or review, nor is it a "this pump is the best pump on the market" post, either. I think both are fine power heads, but one was just not for my tank for reasons I'll go into now.
VorTech MP10wQD
I'll start out by saying up front I think this pump would be great with an aquarium controller or ReefLink so you could take advantage of all the features much easier. However, I do not plan to have an aquarium controller and the more time that goes by the less I feel I want or need one. So please remember this is based on using the local controller. I also do not have a ReefLink so I was limiting what I feel is the intended use case from the manufacturer. Note: the MP10 directions from EcoTech show the smartphone app on the cover page - something you need the ReefLink to use. If some of this was based on not knowing how some feature worked - please let me know so the record is straight.
Tunze 6055
DC variable speed power head.. I do not feel I'm losing much functionality at all in not having an aquarium controller to support this device. That said, there are less flow options as there are no pre-programmed flow modes (there is a programmable Tunze multi-pump controller available that I have no plans to use at this time). You set one or two speeds and the cycle time (if any) on 2 dials and that what it's going to do, forever. I also do not have the connector to run these synchronized.
Tunze 6055 Cons
As I've said, the MP10wQD is a great power head. There's no doubt in my mind about the quality, functionality and design of the product. But you can't satisfy everyone's needs with one product. If you're wanting whole tank water movements in a broad based manner, if you have a controller or ReefLink so you can easily program these flow modes then absolutely the MP10wQD is something you should research. If you're more like me, and have an inclination towards more manual control and less automation but maintaining an option to add controller down the road, if you want directional flow you can adjust as tank matures and if you prefer simple, intuitive user interfaces then I would suggest you add the Tunzes to your list of options.
Note: After reviewing this I realized I made no comment on noise of pump. That's because neither pump was issue for me in that regard. My tank is in my living room and I'm sensitive to noise issues. At low speeds I can't tell a difference sitting here. The Tunzes do seem to be quieter at higher speeds but the MP10 was also quiet enough that it just wasn't a concern of mine.
VorTech MP10wQD
I'll start out by saying up front I think this pump would be great with an aquarium controller or ReefLink so you could take advantage of all the features much easier. However, I do not plan to have an aquarium controller and the more time that goes by the less I feel I want or need one. So please remember this is based on using the local controller. I also do not have a ReefLink so I was limiting what I feel is the intended use case from the manufacturer. Note: the MP10 directions from EcoTech show the smartphone app on the cover page - something you need the ReefLink to use. If some of this was based on not knowing how some feature worked - please let me know so the record is straight.
MP-10 Pros
1) Great flow - that thing could crank out some water flow. Always had any amount of flow I wanted. But it's not necessarily focused flow, I think it's much more broad flow
2) Flow Options - the pre-programmed flow options cover a wide range of flow modes and can be adjusted for intensity.
3) Appearance - nice looking especially if you have a thing for cords in tank (I don't) and you don't mind a big block sticking out the side of the outside glass (I didn't). Never bothered me, but thought I'd mention it. The controller is also an attractive design.
4) Resale value - Expect a high resale value and it's earned it. It's great design, well constructed, good functionality and should last for years.
MP10 - Cons
1) Controller functionality - It may seem minor but it grew to be a major annoyance that I could not ever seem to get in feed mode without selecting a new flow mode. It's the same button, but you have to hold it down for 3 sec to get feed. Finger moves at all and bang - you're in a new feed mode and have to cycle through to get back where you started. A dedicated feed button would have eliminate this issue.
2) Using other flow modes - Since it required my selecting it manually and remembering which color did what, I never really bothered selecting anything but "Reef Crest". Actually, I selected yellow light - I assume I remembered correctly that it meant "Reef Crest" mode. Nice to have flow modes, but that's one of the bigger features of this pump and I never used all the options. Does not mean that it's not a great thing to have for some people, or maybe most people, but without programmable aquarium controller or ReefLink it's not a value to me for the cost.
3) Flow direction - big drawback here for me. It's obvious of course and knew this when I bought it but was hoping the flow modes would over ride any issues with directional flow but I never felt they did using just one power head. I had a Tunze 6015 (AC 450 gph) on the other side of tank and I felt that gave me more control over flow direction and coral impact than the MP10 did. Considering I had to reach in the tank to move it around and still liked the flow direction control more says a lot.
4) Expense - minor issue for me up to a point, but it did prevent me from buying another just in case 2 MP10s would solve all my problems. 2 of these may have in fact solved my flow issues, but since I could get two of the Tunze 6055 for slightly over the price of one additional MP10, it was easy decision for me combined with other issues discussed here. Plus to take full advertised advantage of the MP10 you need the ReefLink or an aquarium controller which is another expense.
5) Magnet Strength - I have a Red Sea Reefer 170 and the magnet on the MP10 was just barely adequate at medium speeds to hold it in place. At higher speeds forget it (but I felt I wouldn't need higher speeds with smaller tank - and didn't). Again, I knew this buying it based on other's reports, but I wasn't upping to MP40 just for the magnet due to cost and overkill on smaller tank. It was workable and did improve when I attached the cord to the tank but was never 100% to my satisfaction. It's ranked last though because it wouldn't have been a deal breaker at all for me.
Tunze 6055
DC variable speed power head.. I do not feel I'm losing much functionality at all in not having an aquarium controller to support this device. That said, there are less flow options as there are no pre-programmed flow modes (there is a programmable Tunze multi-pump controller available that I have no plans to use at this time). You set one or two speeds and the cycle time (if any) on 2 dials and that what it's going to do, forever. I also do not have the connector to run these synchronized.
6055 Pros
1) Directional Flow - Tunze's have it, MP10s don't. It's that simple and it's a big deal for me. I want much more control over the direction of the flow in my tank than I do large flow modes in a fixed direction. My alveopora and duncan are moving back and forth in a much more natural fashion. My sand bed is staying much cleaner within reasonable flow rates because I can direct the flow slightly downward or off the glass. I agree that having 2 MP10 (at considerable cost) might have produced similar results.
2) Ease of feed mode - I push a button - I'm in feed mode.
3) Ease of controller usage - Yes it's simple. I'm a simple guy. I dial a nob I change the speed, I dial another nob and I change time of the pulse. The indicator panel let's me know what's what without having to refer to a color coded cheat sheet. Genius of user interface design even though years old now.
5) Appearance - so some people say they hate cords in the tank. I ran the 6015 on one side and the MP10 on the other - I never noticed the cord on the Tunze, not once..ever. I think the Tunze's are very attractive in my tank, that's a subjective personal call, of course.
Tunze 6055 Cons
1) Cleaning/Maintenance - Yes, cleaning the MP10 wet side is easier. - But I'll say I cleaned both the 6015 and the MP10. Sure, I could remove the MP10 wet side (or swap it out which is nice option to have - at a cost) and clean it away from tank. The 6015 I had to dip in bucket of citric acid next to tank. It just wasn't a big deal to me to clean pump next to tank as I've left cord length free to do that without unplugging. I also have a few other pumps I need to clean next to tank as well. I can see how this might be significant issue for some though.
Summary:As I've said, the MP10wQD is a great power head. There's no doubt in my mind about the quality, functionality and design of the product. But you can't satisfy everyone's needs with one product. If you're wanting whole tank water movements in a broad based manner, if you have a controller or ReefLink so you can easily program these flow modes then absolutely the MP10wQD is something you should research. If you're more like me, and have an inclination towards more manual control and less automation but maintaining an option to add controller down the road, if you want directional flow you can adjust as tank matures and if you prefer simple, intuitive user interfaces then I would suggest you add the Tunzes to your list of options.
Note: After reviewing this I realized I made no comment on noise of pump. That's because neither pump was issue for me in that regard. My tank is in my living room and I'm sensitive to noise issues. At low speeds I can't tell a difference sitting here. The Tunzes do seem to be quieter at higher speeds but the MP10 was also quiet enough that it just wasn't a concern of mine.
