MP10 or MP40 on 40g Breeder?

ginoandres · Apr 21, 2016

Right now I am looking at getting either:

- 1 Vortech MP10wQD
- 1 Vortech MP40wQD

My tank is a 40 gallon breeder with 20 gallon sump. The return pump is rated at 3000 liters (800 gallons) per hour and the flow comes out of a 6" locline with a flat spout. This return flow is quite powerful, much moreso than either of the 850 gph Koralias I'm currently running. I want a Vortech to get some variable flow patterns going as the Koralias I'm running now leave dead spots in the tank.

Which would you recommend? Anyone with a 40 gallon breeder using one of these pumps that can chime in? I understand the MP10 would likely be enough on its own, in addition to the return pump, with perhaps a Korallia to supplement. However if the MP40 running at a reduced rate would be gentler on the pump, a better investment, or more effective in the long run, I am open to that. However it is significantly more expensive, so the advantages must be considerable.

I really want to hear from folks who have tried either of these in a similar setup. My tank will mostly be LPS and a few softies.

huuta · Apr 21, 2016

Mp40 on anything longer then 24".$65 difference for a mp40 is not that much plus you don't have to worry about it if you want to upgrade down the line

ginoandres · Apr 21, 2016

huuta said:
Mp40 on anything longer then 24".$65 difference for a mp40 is not that much plus you don't have to worry about it if you want to upgrade down the line

Good point on the ability to upgrade. No plans to do that, but it would be nice to have the option.

redfishbluefish · Apr 21, 2016

The MP10 would work, but go for the 40 for two reasons:

1. As mentioned, upgrading in the future.
2. The MP10 would have to run at 100%, or close to it. The MP40 will be turned down....maybe somewhere in the 1/3 to 1/2 power. This will help in extending it's life and run a bit quieter. (Although if it's a QD, that quiet thing shouldn't be an issue).

ginoandres · Apr 21, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
The MP10 would work, but go for the 40 for two reasons:

1. As mentioned, upgrading in the future.
2. The MP10 would have to run at 100%, or close to it. The MP40 will be turned down....maybe somewhere in the 1/3 to 1/2 power. This will help in extending it's life and run a bit quieter. (Although if it's a QD, that quiet thing shouldn't be an issue).

Good points here, too. I have to say when I started this I never envisioned dropping $350 on a single pump. It sounds absurd to the uninitiated!
I guess I'd like to hear from anyone who's successfully from an MP40 on this size tank? Anyone?

Salty1962 · Apr 22, 2016

huuta said:
Mp40 on anything longer then 24".$65 difference for a mp40 is not that much plus you don't have to worry about it if you want to upgrade down the line

+1, you can always dial down, dialing up is hard. If your budget can withstand the cost, go 40. The new ones are MUCH quieter and have more flow. I wish I had gone with the 40. I'm having to run my 10s @ 80-90%. Bonus - if you ever go with a larger tank as mention by @huuta, you're set to go with no new pump costs.

Salty1962 · Apr 22, 2016

ginoandres said:
Good points here, too. I have to say when I started this I never envisioned dropping $350 on a single pump. It sounds absurd to the uninitiated!
I guess I'd like to hear from anyone who's successfully from an MP40 on this size tank? Anyone?

They are expensive but they're a lifetime purchase due to the quality your purchasing.

ZoaAddict760 · Apr 22, 2016

I'm running 2 mp10qds on my 40 breeder. Both running 100% reef crest... my acros love them

hig789 · Apr 22, 2016

Same here. A pair of MP10's on my 40. Debated the MP40 also but I like that I have a mp10 on each end, one towards the front and one towards the back to make a gyre effect.

BryanS4 · Apr 22, 2016

I have the same tank set up for my daughter, running 2 x mp10s. Imo one wouldn't be near enough. The two pumps produce great random flow.

rayn · Apr 22, 2016

I'm running one mp10 and one mp40 on my 40b. Having them running together, I can say the mp10 isn't near enough. Go with a mp40 or a pair and create random flow

cpllongjk · Apr 22, 2016

ginoandres said:
Right now I am looking at getting either:

- 1 Vortech MP10wQD
- 1 Vortech MP40wQD

My tank is a 40 gallon breeder with 20 gallon sump. The return pump is rated at 3000 liters (800 gallons) per hour and the flow comes out of a 6" locline with a flat spout. This return flow is quite powerful, much moreso than either of the 850 gph Koralias I'm currently running. I want a Vortech to get some variable flow patterns going as the Koralias I'm running now leave dead spots in the tank.

Which would you recommend? Anyone with a 40 gallon breeder using one of these pumps that can chime in? I understand the MP10 would likely be enough on its own, in addition to the return pump, with perhaps a Korallia to supplement. However if the MP40 running at a reduced rate would be gentler on the pump, a better investment, or more effective in the long run, I am open to that. However it is significantly more expensive, so the advantages must be considerable.

I really want to hear from folks who have tried either of these in a similar setup. My tank will mostly be LPS and a few softies.

Hey for the price I would look into a maxspect gyre 130. I have mp10s on my display, theyre on the back wall, and went with a gyre 150 on my frag tank. I really love it. The flow is amazing. If you had to pick a vortech pump though I would go with the mp10 unless you plan on upgrading soon. And by "soon" I mean within 3-5 years.

jnw240reef · Apr 22, 2016

One pump of any of these will not be enough. Minimum 2 mp10.

ginoandres · Apr 24, 2016

Hey guys, thanks for the input. I settled on one MP40, which I will run low and also have on hand for upgrades in the future. I also have a couple Koralias I could use to supplement if necessary.

butts182 · Apr 24, 2016

FWIW, I ran 2 MP40s on my 40b at 100 percent. Flow was just right.

Bob Escher · Apr 24, 2016

I had two MP10 on my 37 gallon tall and they were fine very strong, I now have them on my 45 gal cube and they blow the hell off the rocks at 40%

rayn · Apr 24, 2016

jnw240reef said:
One pump of any of these will not be enough. Minimum 2 mp10.

While I had my pumps and didn't have to buy, this is why I went two even mismatched. The random created by the anti-sync works well.

ginoandres · Apr 25, 2016

butts182 said:
FWIW, I ran 2 MP40s on my 40b at 100 percent. Flow was just right.

Lol this is the kind of information that is thoroughly confusing to me... I've had people online say the exact same thing using just one MP10 in a 40 breeder. I guess this issue is highly dependent on your specific setup, i.e. corals, tank dimensions and rockwork. 2 MP40s is just right for SPS, I presume?

I should say that I will be focusing mostly on LPS corals--Euphyllias being the dominant coral. From what I understand, they prefer low to moderate flow that is turbulent rather than static (thus my choice to go with a Vortech). This makes me wonder if the MP40 I just ordered will be far too much for these corals? They actually do not do well in high flow, so maybe I should have gone for a smaller pump...

rayn · Apr 25, 2016

This just goes to prove that no two tanks are alike! Remember you can always turn a mp40 down, but can't turn a mp10 up past 100. It's all about getting the right flow for your tank.

Elizabeth Hood · Oct 19, 2017

Resurrecting this thread to find out how you like the MP 40 you went with. Do you wish you'd gone with 2 MP10s instead or are you happy with the MP40? I'm setting up a 40g breeder soon myself and your thread has been enlightening.