Forsaken77
Valuable Member
For that small of a tank I would use an MP10. Imo, the 40 is overkill unless you have thick glass.
Ecotech or Gyre Pump?
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For that small of a tank I would use an MP10. Imo, the 40 is overkill unless you have thick glass.
The gyres require more maintenance, and consume a little more time to clean. I've had my gyres (230's) running on my reefer 250 for a year or so now. I've only taken the pumps apart once. I do however take them off the tank and run them in vinegar water every 2-3 months and brush them off.
The vortech pumps are much easier to clean and require less care I think. But with my short tank the gyre provides better flow (again my opinion). So I'll deal with the extra work.
The vortech pumps are much easier to clean and require less care I think. But with my short tank the gyre provides better flow (again my opinion). So I'll deal with the extra work.
Crabs McJones
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I use Ecotech MP10's and I love them. I have however never used gyre pumps, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying them out 
I have 2 x mp10s in my reefer 250. I haven’t used gyres before do can’t comment on them. But I do love the mp10s. Why? 1) great flow and very quiet. I manage 50X display volume per hour and I can hardly hear the motors. 2) very small footprint in the tank = more space to maneuver and less heat in the displays more importantly for me, I can enjoy nearly unobstructed view of my tank from most angles. But you do have the motor mounted outside and some don’t like that, but I don’t mind it. 3) very dependable and super easy to clean. Both of the mp10s have been running for over 2 years in different systems with no issues.... I had to contact EcoTech Marine for some tips on creating a standing wave and they were quick and helpful. A big plus is cleaning the glass around the wet side; you just remove the wet side, use a scraper and put it back. I do a vinegar soak every 3 month or so and the algae build up come right off.
For me, they are worth the cash.
Finally, one thing to consider is your landscape and how much flow you need for your corals. If are doing softies and LPS, then one well positioned powerhead maybe all you need. If you are doing sps, then multiple units will be useful.
I am posting a recent video of my reefer 250 so you can gauge your mileage in the 170. I have another video on my channel on how I run the mp10s. Also check out @pelphrey YouTube reviews of the gyres. Ultimately, Both will generate good flow, but note the difference in maintenance and flow patterns
For me, they are worth the cash.
Finally, one thing to consider is your landscape and how much flow you need for your corals. If are doing softies and LPS, then one well positioned powerhead maybe all you need. If you are doing sps, then multiple units will be useful.
I am posting a recent video of my reefer 250 so you can gauge your mileage in the 170. I have another video on my channel on how I run the mp10s. Also check out @pelphrey YouTube reviews of the gyres. Ultimately, Both will generate good flow, but note the difference in maintenance and flow patterns
bgoldb
Community Member
Apparently no one else on this thread seems concerned about aesthetics but I, for one, would never want cords visible inside my display or hanging over the edge of my tank and therefore the decision was easy for me. Ecotech wins in a landslide. The fact that Ecotech customer service is excellent is also a nice side benefit.
lacrosseboss18
Active Member
I think you cant go wrong with either one.
I have only every used Ecotech (MP10, MP40 and MP60s) I love them. I also has 4 WAVs on my 225
With that said I would have NO problem trying the Gyre. I acutally think i would like them better.
I think the Gyre are actually more ascetically appealing You don't have this huge thing on the outside and also this wire hanging down. The gyre are at the top of the tank. They are very slim. I actually want to have an MP60 on one end and a Gyre on the other. The Gyre would go on the side that I can see from my couch because it less obtrusive. Yes there are wires inside the tank but only a couple inches.
Also depends on what corals you want. I personally would rather go with the larger pump and run it lower then the smaller pump and have it going as high as possible. Also think where would you want the pump. I like the idea of the MPs on the back wall on both sides of the over flow. It would blend in with the background. Otherwise I would go with one gyre.
I have only every used Ecotech (MP10, MP40 and MP60s) I love them. I also has 4 WAVs on my 225
With that said I would have NO problem trying the Gyre. I acutally think i would like them better.
I think the Gyre are actually more ascetically appealing You don't have this huge thing on the outside and also this wire hanging down. The gyre are at the top of the tank. They are very slim. I actually want to have an MP60 on one end and a Gyre on the other. The Gyre would go on the side that I can see from my couch because it less obtrusive. Yes there are wires inside the tank but only a couple inches.
Also depends on what corals you want. I personally would rather go with the larger pump and run it lower then the smaller pump and have it going as high as possible. Also think where would you want the pump. I like the idea of the MPs on the back wall on both sides of the over flow. It would blend in with the background. Otherwise I would go with one gyre.
Midrats
Valuable Member
The 170 needs a pump with more directional flexibility. The ball in socket form factor of Tunze pumps offer many more flow options. Tunze's 6040 would also work well and mounts nicely in the cove next to the overflow. Maintenance is minimal and if you have a problem Roger has it fixed and back to you inside of a week.
If I could add my 2 cents here about ecotech and smaller tanks. I have 1x MP40 on my 60 cube currently. It's place high up on the back wall and runs around 40% max creating a gyre very easily. If I run the pump any higher than 40% it would be a full on Darude Sand Storm. I can't really experience the full range of flow the MP40 offers and the flow pattern is stagnant.
For this reason I've ordered a MP10 yesterday to accompany the MP40 so I can vary up the flow patterns while keeping my sand on the bottom. Looking forward to experimenting with all the different flow patterns 2 Ecotechs can offer.
So my vote for OP's reefer 170 is 2x MP10. Probably the most expensive option but like lots of others have said, they are super reliable.
For this reason I've ordered a MP10 yesterday to accompany the MP40 so I can vary up the flow patterns while keeping my sand on the bottom. Looking forward to experimenting with all the different flow patterns 2 Ecotechs can offer.
So my vote for OP's reefer 170 is 2x MP10. Probably the most expensive option but like lots of others have said, they are super reliable.
vipete1985
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I have mp10s on my reefer 250 as well...I have had some problems with the
Wet side disconnecting from the glass....Have you ever experienced this?....I found out that max glass thickness for the mp10 is .375 and the reefer 250 has .500 glass thickness...suggestions on this issue would be great if you have any
rkpetersen
walked the sand with the crustaceans
I have a XF250 Gyre, 2 MP40s, and an MP10 in my Reefer 450.
MPs are rock solid and very quiet. Super easy to maintain. Also integrate extremely well with the Apex controller, if that matters to you.
Oh, and the MP10 can definitely be used with 1/2" glass, despite Ecotech saying you can't. I've had one on the sidewall of my tank for 4 months. Works great. The magnetic connection is somewhat weak, but it holds itself up without hanging from the cord. However if you bump it at all, it will fall off.
Maintenance on the Gyre is vastly more laborious than with the MPs. And if you don't maintain the Gyre, it may just slow down rather than seizing up, so you may not realize how slow the flow has gotten until your corals tell you.
The advanced Gyre controller is excellent. Not hard to program, lots of options. It will also control two Gyres, synchronized to flow in one direction for a time, and then the other. (I will be using this on my next tank.) Controlling Gyres with the Apex is possible, but more work to set up and options are fewer.
Gyre provides laminar flow, MPs turbulent flow. Depends on what you want in your tank. With that size tank, I would use either 2 MP10s, or one XF150 Gyre, or one Gyre plus one MP10.
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rkpetersen
walked the sand with the crustaceans
Avoid rapid changes in flow, and do not go below 20% output. Also make sure that snails aren't crawling into it, as that'll knock it off every time.
siggy
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Tunze Should be considered as well, not as sexy but It gets the BRS recommendation where others don't...I always ask the sellers, they know the horror stories and return history of a product....FWIW
Shelbytwp123
Active Member
I run mp40wqd x2 on the back wall of my Reefer 350 and I am having inconsistent flow ... I am looking at icacap 1k x2 for same loacation only bc I have already tried FX230 x2 and those things will kill your corals on anything over 30-40%.. so with that being said i will try icecap 1k smaller foot print and lot quater from what i gather as well as lower price point...i run random modes so all the sync anti sync and 24hr programming it's just crap I will never use ... so I hope 1K gyre works good
I have a xf150 and a 3k, one at each end of my 4' 120g. The 3k is near the top and the 150 midway and this creates a nice circular flow. I also have 2 sicce voyoger on the wave surfer that are pointed towards middle of front glass. I'll have to go back and close their openings a bit because they're kicking up all my sand at the front. If the mp40 wasn't so expensive I would get 2 on the back wall to replace the sicce to help eliminate the cords.
