Vortech Choices and Longevity

[Jake029]

Can you help me decide on some wavemakers? There are so many options and brands that I'm stuck here.

This is my first tank and I will likely do easier corals. I like corals that move (frogspawn, torches, etc.) and zoas. It seems like I won't need that much flow if I won't be doing SPS. I also don't plan to upgrade for a number of years. I am planning to keep my tank for at least a few years (starting med school and don't want to upgrade during the middle of schooling).

I am pretty much set on a 40 breeder with a sump. I will do everything DIY. It seems like Vortechs are the way to go. How many and what models should I get? The popular options seem to be 2 mp10s or 1 mp40. Which is better? The mp40 will be cheaper since I need only 1 but then is 1 really enough?

The mp40 can be used for upgrades but as I mentioned I don't plan to upgrade for a few years and I'm guessing in 5 or so years, whatever wavemaker I get will be towards the end of the lifecycle anyways.

Then there is the Icecap Gyres which seem okay and are a ton cheaper. Would a 1k or 3k be enouugh?


While we're at this, I saw the Red Sea tanks today at Reefapalooza and to be honest, I'm tempted to scrap plans for the 40 breeder and just get the 170 lol. The tank is smaller but it looks so nice and seems easier to put together although I will need to figure out a refugium plan. If I were to just get the Red Sea tank, what wavemakers would be good?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Can you help me decide on some wavemakers? There are so many options and brands that I'm stuck here.

This is my first tank and I will likely do easier corals. I like corals that move (frogspawn, torches, etc.) and zoas. It seems like I won't need that much flow if I won't be doing SPS. I also don't plan to upgrade for a number of years. I am planning to keep my tank for at least a few years (starting med school and don't want to upgrade during the middle of schooling).

I am pretty much set on a 40 breeder with a sump. I will do everything DIY. It seems like Vortechs are the way to go. How many and what models should I get? The popular options seem to be 2 mp10s or 1 mp40. Which is better? The mp40 will be cheaper since I need only 1 but then is 1 really enough?

The mp40 can be used for upgrades but as I mentioned I don't plan to upgrade for a few years and I'm guessing in 5 or so years, whatever wavemaker I get will be towards the end of the lifecycle anyways.

Then there is the Icecap Gyres which seem okay and are a ton cheaper. Would a 1k or 3k be enouugh?


While we're at this, I saw the Red Sea tanks today at Reefapalooza and to be honest, I'm tempted to scrap plans for the 40 breeder and just get the 170 lol. The tank is smaller but it looks so nice and seems easier to put together although I will need to figure out a refugium plan. If I were to just get the Red Sea tank, what wavemakers would be good?

I would personally do (and currently run on my 40b) a pair of mp10s. With two you can create more random flow that lps seem to love. Plus idk if ecotech has resolved the issue yet but the mp40 and mp60 had issues with the magnet cracking open and rusting, the mp10s didnt seem to have that issue

 

[Scorpius]

If I had to do my tank all over agin I'd go completely custom. I'd have a custom tank made and I'd make my own stand. There's always a few areas on reef ready tanks that drive me nuts or are just plain stupid from an engineering standpoint.

 

[mitch91175]

In a 40 breeder, the gyres will product entirely too much flow and you will be running them at a very low level. The MP10s would be your best bet I think for a reliable pump. You could also look into the ones made by Neptune Systems.