Panta Rhei Hydrowizard ECM 63

Rick Strauss · Feb 7, 2018

Are they worth the money? Anybody have any experience about longevity and service?

jzw · Feb 4, 2019

yes... moves more than our 3 mp60s. at 50%, pushes a real pulse of water across our 7' tank, maybe 4" x 4" coning out to 14" x 14". our mp60 can't do that. considering adding another 63, but it's so large inside the tank, don't really wanna put one on the pennisula side...

in service 1 year, no issue yet

nice if there were some programs available for its SIM card tho, but honestly haven't asked for any.

ca1ore · Feb 4, 2019

Buddy of mine has one. Seems pretty bulletproof. Moves water more like a Tunze than a Vortech. More narrow than broad so may seem more powerful than it actually is. Other than the price, the thing I don’t like about it is the in tank profile. Personally I’d go with two MP60 over one hydrowizard 63, but that’s because I prefer broad flow.

Rick.45cal · Feb 4, 2019

I run 4 ECM 42’s and they’ve been flawless pumps for 2 years. If I had a bigger tank I wouldn’t hesitate to use 2 of the ECM 63’s. Only thing I have to do with mine regularly is soak them in vinegar to dissolve all the coralline algae.

o2manyfish · Feb 5, 2019

I have setup both sizes. Trying to figure out the different mounting brackets they offer is impossible. But these move enough water that they don't have to be out in front and visible. Leave a clear spot in your rockwork in the back Drop one in and put it in pulse/wave mode. I've seen one 63 move 600g a couple of inches. If your tank is bigger then double up and sync them. But you just need to keep the water moving, and these pumps can move all the water without having to be mounted out front and visible.

Feet4Fish · Jul 25, 2019

o2manyfish said:
I have setup both sizes. Trying to figure out the different mounting brackets they offer is impossible. But these move enough water that they don't have to be out in front and visible. Leave a clear spot in your rockwork in the back Drop one in and put it in pulse/wave mode. I've seen one 63 move 600g a couple of inches. If your tank is bigger then double up and sync them. But you just need to keep the water moving, and these pumps can move all the water without having to be mounted out front and visible.

Do you know if there is any mounting option for these pumps that can work with 1” acrylic?

o2manyfish · Jul 26, 2019

soffutt said:
Do you know if there is any mounting option for these pumps that can work with 1” acrylic?

I have a friend with one on a 1" thick starfire tank. Panta Rhei has a variety of optional mounting kits. To be honest trying to figure them out is impossible and they are pretty pricey. For a few of my friends I have helped them build an acrylic bracket to mount them inside the tank on a thinner surface. My goal with any of the tanks I help out on is to make the equipment dissappear. So mounting this pump off the wall of the overflow and hiding it behind the rocks has been great on a couple of installs too.

Feet4Fish · Jul 27, 2019

o2manyfish said:
I have a friend with one on a 1" thick starfire tank. Panta Rhei has a variety of optional mounting kits. To be honest trying to figure them out is impossible and they are pretty pricey. For a few of my friends I have helped them build an acrylic bracket to mount them inside the tank on a thinner surface. My goal with any of the tanks I help out on is to make the equipment dissappear. So mounting this pump off the wall of the overflow and hiding it behind the rocks has been great on a couple of installs too.

Thanks! Love your videos and think the Rabbi tang is really cool!

uniquecorals · Nov 12, 2020

Rick Strauss said:
Are they worth the money? Anybody have any experience about longevity and service?

Hi Rick. I realize this was an old post but the info is still relevant today. Unique Corals is now the official US distributor for the Panta Rhei line. We will provide service on any of their products. The pumps are pretty bullet proof and work very well. If you or anyone has any other questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Thx!
\

Rick Strauss · Nov 13, 2020

uniquecorals said:
Hi Rick. I realize this was an old post but the info is still relevant today. Unique Corals is now the official US distributor for the Panta Rhei line. We will provide service on any of their products. The pumps are pretty bullet proof and work very well. If you or anyone has any other questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Thx!
\

I bought 3 from you guys. They are simply amazing!