Ecotech MP40 or Gyre FX250 or other

[Freddy0144]

Cheers all.

So the reef is underway, currently the only circulation I have for flow in the tank is just the return pump and a 1200 GPH pump stuck in there just to get some more circulation in the tank.

I am looking at MP 40's on the fence I have read some really bad reviews, however I have heard that echo tech stands behind their products.

I also like the Gyre Pump 250 which also has mixed reviews and I hear requires more maintenance.

I will be purchasing 2 of these pumps and the cost are about the same. I know the MP40's will be less expensive to run.

Thanks for your thoughts

Tank specs are as follows 225 gallon display 6'X24"deepX30"tall. corner tower over flows
Sump is in the basement, with a 40 gallon trigger, 30 gallon refuge. Kessil A360W lights and a SKIMZ sump.

 

[[Cameron]]

Going through the same thought process on my build. I will probably wait and see what Reef Octopus delivers. Doesn't seem to be a "right" way through this decision.

 

[Kmsutows]

I think a better comparison for those dimensions is two mp60s if you're going to keep sps. In my experience mp40 flow doesn't reach very far. I have an old style xf150 on my 6ft 150gal which wasnt bad, it grew my sps but recently added a used mp40 and an xf250.

 

[[Cameron]]

I think a better comparison for those dimensions is two mp60s if you're going to keep sps. In my experience mp40 flow doesn't reach very far. I have an old style xf150 on my 6ft 150gal which wasnt bad, it grew my sps but recently added a used mp40 and an xf250.

BRS testing shows the MP can get the job done.

 

[Jakepen]

If you are only purchasing two I would get the gyres. May want to look at the 280s though. I have a standard 180 and have two MP40QD on the back wall, and a xf280 on each end.

 

[BoomCorals]

Gyres hands down. I've used them all - Ecotech, Tunze, etc. I have all gyres on all my tanks now and they are the best.

 

[HolisticBear]

I own smaller Ecotech & Gyre. I love the flow of the Gyre, but noise can be an issue. Everyone's tolerance is different, so recommendations are suspect. The Gyre even at 20-30% is still annoying compared to the Vortech. It will get quieter after a week or two.

I run both in my tank.

 

[Freddy0144]

Thanks for the input, I forgot that BRS did a shoot out for pumps.

 

[jdogclif]

I am using a pair of xf250 and I really like them. One on each end of a 270-gallon 76" tank. The tank is 36" from front to back and the Gyres handle it nicely with tons of flow that alternates back and forth. The fish love swimming in front of them, and when I put food in it really whips it around and you can see the gyre flow that they create. It has a feeding mode, but my fish like chasing the food around. (At least I think they do. Maybe they are just cursing my name as they have to frantically swim about just to get a meal...) The controller that it comes with works pretty well, and maintenance is easy enough. I do also have a closed loop, but it is just pointing straight up and straight down, so all the directional flow comes from the Gyres and I can see that it is plenty. I've been happy with them.

When I had a smaller tank, I used Vortech. I liked them too, but I feel like the Gyres create a much wider path of flow.

 

[Kmsutows]

I own smaller Ecotech & Gyre. I love the flow of the Gyre, but noise can be an issue. Everyone's tolerance is different, so recommendations are suspect. The Gyre even at 20-30% is still annoying compared to the Vortech. It will get quieter after a week or two.

I run both in my tank.

I have found the opposite to be true. Maybe because my mp40 was used but I don't hear my gyres at all and the mp40 is really loud once it's turned up. Oh, due to my corner overflows mine are vertically mounted

 

[Kmsutows]

BRS testing shows the MP can get the job done.

Actually it showed on a 6ft tank it didn't do quite as well.

 

[tony'stank]

I have a MP40 and a Gyre. I no longer use the MP40. The wet side of the MP40 only lasts 2-3 years and has to be replaced for $75. I have no trouble cleaning the Gyre. I just soak it in vinegar for an hour every 3 months. The Gyre has never given me any trouble at all.

 

[reefndude]

I have 2 mp40's on the ends and one gyre 250 centered on back wall of a 5 ft 250g tank. Working very well for me.

 

[Mark Gray]

I really like my Gyre I will always keep on now don't have to mess to much with pointing just turn them on and you really do not have dead spots

 

[jose hernandez]

i personally like the mp40s easy maintenance no wire or heat distribution in the tank plus great customer service any problems u contact them i would get 2 mp60s instaed of 2 mp40s michael51 is sellin 2mp60s for under retail u should contact him

 

[Jack Wang]

If reliability and longevity is a concern of yours, you should look into the Tunze Stream 3.

 

[Freddy0144]

I have 2 mp40's on the ends and one gyre 250 centered on back wall of a 5 ft 250g tank. Working very well for me.

I am thinking about doing the exact same thing.

 

[reefndude]

I am thinking about doing the exact same thing.

I debated for a while about adding the gyre, I think it was a good decision. Nice flow in all areas of the tank. Front, back, top, and bottom.

 

[amnesiac]

I actually have had both on seperate tanks. I added 2 150's when they first came out on a 6 foot tank and got great coverage. The tank has 2 overflow boxes so there were some dead spots that I had to add a couple of Tunzes to alleviate, but still even without the Tunzes it was a mountain of water movement. I set up my office tank using 2 MP40s and almost instantly the difference became very apparent. While the 150's moved water in a "sheet" across the top of the water surface the MP40s spread was way more narrow allowing for more dead spots. Here's a drawing. You'll have to excuse the crudity of this drawing. I didn't have time to draw it to scale

I thought that with the office tank only having a center overflow this wouldn't be a big deal but it was and sure enough in time I started getting cyano in those dead spots. I tried shifting the MP40s around to find a sweet spot that would give me the most spread, but in the end I had to supplement them with more pumps. Luckily enough for me I had 2 spare MP10s and mounted them at the back. This was going just fine for months, but I decided on replacing all 4 pumps with a couple of the new Gyres. So last week I took all 4 Vortechs down and replaced them with the Gyre 250s. Couldn't be happier. No dead spots, great spread and I only have them running at 50%. I also only have 1 power supply running both instead of 4 Vortech bricks. Hope this helps. -A

 

[lou dog420]

I've only ever owned the MP 40s, and I love mine,