VOrtech mp10,40

saltlife757 · Mar 30, 2016

Has anyone decided against the vortech mp quiet series? I was looking to upgrade my power heads (2 Hydors) and am realizing there is a HUGE price difference out there.

I have a 180 gallon with only soft coral and LPS. Are the MP40's really worth the price ($345). I understand it's a lot cleaner looking and has different settings as far as flow. Im just stuck trying to figure out if its worth it.

G8trBait16 · Mar 30, 2016

I have a MP40wQD and a MP10DQ. I love the pumps, yes they are more expensive, but the features were worth it for me. My tank is also mostly SPS and a few LPS.

saltlife757 · Mar 30, 2016

G8trBait16 said:
I have a MP40wQD and a MP10DQ. I love the pumps, yes they are more expensive, but the features were worth it for me. My tank is also mostly SPS and a few LPS.

Thanks for the input!

hybridazn · Mar 30, 2016

I run 2x mp40 and 2x mp10 on my 180. I've always been a fan of the vortechs, just make sure you clean the wet sides regularly(every 3-6 months) to prolong life.

Salty1962 · Mar 30, 2016

I upgraded my MP10s to the QD and love it. I went from dialed down, due to noise, to @60% with no noise. Also gives you a little more flow.

go29 · Mar 30, 2016

I will second always running vortechs... price sucks but its worth it in the long haul. Besides the form factor, and ability to change flow settings (my apex changes my flow all throughout the day, and even goes into nutrient transport mode to kick up detritus prior to water changes) but for me the selling point was ease of use with a battery backup. You simply buy vortech battery, plug it in and boom your done. Now you know that worst case scenario you have a solid 2-3 days worth of backup power for flow in your reef in the event of power outage (i run mp10 so battery lasts quite long).

Personally if you can get past the cost I think you will never go back once you own one.

FlyinBryan · Mar 30, 2016

I've had the mp-40's for several years! I never hear them. They're high quality and totally worth the investment. Imo the quiet drive may be good if you're totally cranking up the power. I doubt you'll do that.

Rob's Reef · Mar 30, 2016

I have 2 mp 40's one on each end of my tank. 8' tank so I had dead spots.... I put a gyre 150 on both ends and they move a ton of water! Way more than the mp40's... now I run 1 of each on each end and I have awesome flow and a pretty decent wave! ;p I'm sure the 40's would be great on a 180 though...

Salty1962 · Mar 30, 2016

go29 said:
I will second always running vortechs... price sucks but its worth it in the long haul. Besides the form factor, and ability to change flow settings (my apex changes my flow all throughout the day, and even goes into nutrient transport mode to kick up detritus prior to water changes) but for me the selling point was ease of use with a battery backup. You simply buy vortech battery, plug it in and boom your done. Now you know that worst case scenario you have a solid 2-3 days worth of backup power for flow in your reef in the event of power outage (i run mp10 so battery lasts quite long).

Personally if you can get past the cost I think you will never go back once you own one.

+1. I also love the battery backup.

skiwez · Mar 30, 2016

I have 2 mp40s and like them because of the form factor. Really like that I don't have wires in the tank. They are quiet even though they are the old ones. Both huge plusses in my book, BUT, I've had nothing but problems with getting to use all the features they espoused to have. Always seems to be one or the other stops communicating so then I have to use manual mode until I get in touch with ecotech. Their customer service if fine so long as you don't work for a living and can be focused on the tank between the hours of 9-5 money thru thurs because Fridays get a bit dicey

saltlife757 · Mar 30, 2016

go29 said:
I will second always running vortechs... price sucks but its worth it in the long haul. Besides the form factor, and ability to change flow settings (my apex changes my flow all throughout the day, and even goes into nutrient transport mode to kick up detritus prior to water changes) but for me the selling point was ease of use with a battery backup. You simply buy vortech battery, plug it in and boom your done. Now you know that worst case scenario you have a solid 2-3 days worth of backup power for flow in your reef in the event of power outage (i run mp10 so battery lasts quite long).

Personally if you can get past the cost I think you will never go back once you own one.

Thanks for the help! Would I need a separate device if I had two of them? Just so they are both on the same schedule for the settings.

go29 · Mar 30, 2016

If you have an apex you simply use the WXM module to control any pumps..... same for buying the reeflink (if you don't have an apex). Now if you just want the pumps to communicate you just make sure to purchase the wireless ones and they will "sync" together, and the "master" pump will control the other pumps you have "slave pumps". This allows you to change flow such as say pump on the right is master, so while it is on, slave can be off... then pumps can reverse with slave on and master off.

Wireless in itself gives your aquarium GREAT random flow, however I feel adding the wxm (if you use apex controller) or reef link (if you don't have apex) allows you to actually change the vortech intensity and programs throughout the day, thus allowing you to do things such as rev up into a nutrient transport mode for water changes etc. But yes your pumps can be set to different program modes, and sync together wirelessly without any extra equipment. You just need one of the modules (Wxm or reef link) to change to different programs throughout the day as I believe with just wireless vortechs you pick a program and then the pumps will each run that program at different points in the day to give you that randomized flow.

Plenty of great pumps on the market, but I will stick with my vortechs for now as they offer amazing form and function while keep any power cords out of my tank. Combine that with easy battery backup and I'm sold

saltlife757 · Mar 31, 2016

go29 said:
If you have an apex you simply use the WXM module to control any pumps..... same for buying the reeflink (if you don't have an apex). Now if you just want the pumps to communicate you just make sure to purchase the wireless ones and they will "sync" together, and the "master" pump will control the other pumps you have "slave pumps". This allows you to change flow such as say pump on the right is master, so while it is on, slave can be off... then pumps can reverse with slave on and master off.

Wireless in itself gives your aquarium GREAT random flow, however I feel adding the wxm (if you use apex controller) or reef link (if you don't have apex) allows you to actually change the vortech intensity and programs throughout the day, thus allowing you to do things such as rev up into a nutrient transport mode for water changes etc. But yes your pumps can be set to different program modes, and sync together wirelessly without any extra equipment. You just need one of the modules (Wxm or reef link) to change to different programs throughout the day as I believe with just wireless vortechs you pick a program and then the pumps will each run that program at different points in the day to give you that randomized flow.

Plenty of great pumps on the market, but I will stick with my vortechs for now as they offer amazing form and function while keep any power cords out of my tank. Combine that with easy battery backup and I'm sold

Thanks for the reply! I just gave in got 2 of them! Installation was EXTREMELY easy. So now that I'm all setup, why setting do you prefer? Right now I'm just running the lagoon mode about half way.