Gyre or Vortech, aaaannd go!

[EricHop]

Next step is flow for my new reef tank. Its 48x20x24, I have a vortech on my other tank now but I am very curious in these gyre pumps, what do you guys like more? Thanks!

 

[ScubaShane]

I did not like my Gyre because monthly maintenance is required or your flow rate will decrease which in turn causes dead spots and detritus build up. To do the maintenance is a pain because you have to take it apart and there is a few small parts that if you don't put it back together just right on the shaft it will make noises. I had mine for 14 months and then switched to Apex WAVs. Also you cant control the direction of the pump like WAV or Tunze pumps. You can deflect the flow up or down but if you have coral or rock in the flow pattern it wont give you your desired flow in other spots of the tank, even if you use one at each end. Others have had success with them I guess but I would actually recommend Tunze controllable pumps.

 

[Highgrade]

Personally the Vortech's get my vote. I run Maxspect Gyre's XF350, Ecotech MP40s and MP10s also Neptune WAV's.

The gyres will run great at first but once they break in the flow is decreased even after a good cleaning. I just recently picked up a second XF350 to compare side by side with an older XF350 that is 9 months old. Big difference between the two. Even set at the same mode/intensity. It seems the Gyres are not meant to last more than 1-2 years. Not to mention the output is significantly decreased after weeks/months of use. Once they're done if I cant get a warranty replacement I'll probably never buy one a again. Not to mention Coral Vue has the worst support out of any manufacture.

As for the WAVs they're great up until the day they die. Which is about the 1.5.-2 year mark. Just had my 4th one replaced by Neptune. Great customer service but not sure what I would do if they don't honor anything past 2 years.

Vortech's are proven to last long term with minimal maintenance. Even if a few people say they've had failed wet side magnets. This is just a matter of routine maintenance and inspection. Mechanical parts wear down overtime and sometimes fail. Ecotech has had the best customer service I've experienced.

 

[infinite0180]

Had both. Like the vortech better...

 

[EricHop]

Never really looked into the WAV, do you have to have an apex to run those? Also any of you tried the nero 5 at all?

 

[GlassMunky]

Never really looked into the WAV, do you have to have an apex to run those? Also any of you tried the nero 5 at all?

Yes you have to have an apex to run the WAVs.
What hasn't been mentioned here is what do you plan on keeping in the tank and whats your budget?

I've Personally used vortchs and tunzes and like them both.
if you went Vortech, would you go Mp10s or get an MP40?
There are so many options, it all depends on whst youre looking to get out of them.

 

[rocsec1]

I’ve used both on my 120. I now just was the mp40’s after I got a really good deal on two mp40qd’s. I find them much easier to control and clean.

 

[EricHop]

Im probably gonna do a mixed reef this is the set up as of right now, sps on the upper shelfs. Guess im leaning more towards two mp40s. I just liked how sleak the gyres look and you can run 2 off one controller. Unless you guys think something would work better for this setup?

 

[Billldg]

Both at the same time. I have a Mp40, a MP10, and a Gyre 350 running in my 120 tank and love it.

 

[Mical]

I have Vortechs on both of mine and happy with them. Never had Gyres so can't comment either way...

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Im probably gonna do a mixed reef this is the set up as of right now, sps on the upper shelfs. Guess im leaning more towards two mp40s. I just liked how sleak the gyres look and you can run 2 off one controller. Unless you guys think something would work better for this setup?

What kind of lights are these

 

[EricHop]

What kind of lights are these

They are the new AI hydra 32s

 

[EricHop]

Both at the same time. I have a Mp40, a MP10, and a Gyre 350 running in my 120 tank and love it.
Lol like a 1000 dollars in powerheads!

 

[NowGlazeIT]

They are the new AI hydra 32s

So cool. I want to get them but thought you couldnt mount them horizontally

 

[Cment]

I really like the idea of the gyre but like some of the above posts have said the maintenance is critical bc of decreased flow rate and they can be tricky to put back together. Thats my only issues with the gyre. If you are someone whos on the ball about cleaning your pumps youll be fine. If youre like me and sometimes maintenance can slip I say ecotech

 

[inletfish]

4'+ tank gyre

>4' vortech

 

[lavoisier]

I grumble about cleaning my MP60s every 2 or 3 months. I can't imagine having to clean pumps more often.

 

[minus9]

I have both, mp40's on the back wall and two xf330's on the sides. I had two mp40's on the sides, but didn't like the look and the flow wasn't wide enough. As far as maintenance goes with the gyres, I just bought an extra set of cages and impellers, so cleaning takes about 5 minutes to swap the parts. The cost for the extra parts was less than $100, much cheaper than new wetsides for the mp40's. Next step, hydros wave engine to control them all under one controller.

 

[myzislow]

I'm still using the same mp40s that I bought used in 2010 without issue. In the time I've owned them not one major failure. I've only had to replace one westside. I'll never run anything but a Vortech pump in any tank I setup.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I'm still using the same mp40s that I bought used in 2010 without issue. In the time I've owned them not one major failure. I've only had to replace one westside. I'll never run anything but a Vortech pump in any tank I setup.

I wish I had some brand new old mp40s lol. It seems to me that, things aren’t made to last ten years these days. There are so many recent negative threads and reviews, like wet side decomposing and showing rust. Propeller heads falling into the sand bed, then props jam or make noise after. Poor wire integrity/durability. But great customer service. Maybe that’s where the money is going.;Bored