vortech mp40wes review

[90greefman]

So I have a 280g aquarium I just set up and I was excited to try out some mp 40's on the new tank based off all the hype. I have always used tunze in the past because I like a lot of their features and they never seem to break. After having my mp's on for 24 hours I would already like to return them.

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents on these overpriced pumps.

Things I like:
1. The smaller foot print in the tank
2. No cords in the tank

Things I don't like:
1. The price, way overpriced for the quality of equipment
2. Noisy as all get out. I have a surround system in my man cave, tank is behind me, could still hear the pumps roaring during the games tonight.(and yes they are aligned properly and there are no air bubbles in them)
3. I don't feel the water movement is really that much greater than my tunze 6095. I am sad I sold them now.
4. All the fancy modes really didn't wow me. I want a wave, couldn't even simulate one in my tank.
5. Don't like they just shoot straight. I like to be able to have the ability to put a pump in any direction.
6. Did I mention they are really really noisy?

Overall I would not recommend this pump to anyone.

 

[mcarroll]

Sorry to hear they aren't working out! Mine experience wasn't too different. Unless you can afford a third (and perhaps fourth or more) unit and then place them evenly spaced across the back wall, I don't think the Vortech's are particularly suited to rectangular tanks. Seems like their mode would make more sense in a cube tank.

The upside for you is that the MP40's seem to carry a good resale value!

Good luck!

-Matt

 

[blaten]

Thanks for the info, I would like to hear some more experiences from other reefers with these pumps. I know a lot of people out there have them.

 

[Pappy]

Sorry you had that experience. My experience was totally different with them other than the noise. I agree they are a little loud on my tank however I've heard them on others and they are quiet as a mouse. Did you use the rubber spacer? As far as the wave...I have 1 on my 48" tank (75 gallon) and it creates and insane wave and had to scale back due to fear of water going over the side. Maybe a couple mp60's would've been better for a 280. The spread of flow on these pumps is very wide eliminating the need to point them ime. When I turn pumps off to feed and then turn back on its amazing how every bit of food on sand bed immediately lifts up and starts flowing in water column. These are amazing pumps ime. Can't say I've tried the tunze but know there is def no comparison to these versus koralias.

 

[cjrudy]

Love my Vortechs and would never use anything else.

 

[dogum99]

My vortechs are quiet as can be. I love them.

 

[FMF0331]

Pros -
small foot print
no wires in the tank
the different modes ( wave - lagoon - crest ) etc ..

Cons -
only shoot straight ( cannot position to to aim )
loud

 

[maharsreef]

Love my vortecs. Been using them for years. I have 3 ON A 200 GAL.

 

[90greefman]

After a little research it appears the bearings are already going out. I should probably go with mp60's on a 280 but right on the packaging it says mp40's are good for up to 500g. After this experience though there is absolutely no way I would spend $750 on a pump that has about a 2 year life. If it was just one of them I would say no biggy and fix it but it is both of them. If anyone above wants to swap a good one that is supposedly quiet for one of mine please pm me as I would love to hear what a quiet one sounds like. lol

 

[WesF]

I feel the same way. I have both Tunzes and a vortech. I like Tunzes MUCH better.

Vortechs require too much maintenance and the bearings get noisy.

Tunzes seem to run forever with very little maintenance. I have one that has been running 7 years. No replacement parts, repairs, etc. just an annual vinegar bath.

 

[90greefman]

So here is a link on youtube how to chagne the bearings. Might give it a whirl as if I were to break one by accident it really wouldn't matter as I feel the pump is poorly manufactured anyway.
MP40 Bearing - YouTube

 

[fraggingfish]

I'm with you on the Tunze, great resale value if you ever decide to upgrade or downgrade.

 

[Reefpestsolutions]

I run a mp40 and tunzy 6105 in a 180 aga. I dont care for the tunzy at all if somone wants to trade for a mp40w let me know!

 

[jimknutson]

I have found that if you call customer service Ecotech is quick to replace any part that might be broken quickly. They do have awesome customer service.

 

[cjrudy]

+1 Ecotechs customer service is top notch. People keep posting that Vortechs do not have directional flow, but they create a wide flow which moves a lot of water.

 

[Reefpestsolutions]

This may help some of you Feature Article: Experimental Comparison of Measured Flow Output of Aquarium Propeller Pumps — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[WillKatt]

I have been using the vortechs for awhile now and the only noisey one I evey had was one I bought used and probably wasnt well taken care of. All the new ones I have bought and used are supper quite. Its sounds like one that 90greefman had was an old one. (Correct me if im wrong)

These pumps are extreamly well made precision devices which do require regular maintenace to keep them running top notch. My good freind is running the MP60s and two MP40s on his tank for more than two years now and I never hear them when im at his place.

 

[mcarroll]

[Vortech's] are extreamly well made precision devices which do require regular maintenace to keep them running top notch. My good freind is running the MP60s and two MP40s on his tank for more than two years now and I never hear them when im at his place.

Newer ones may be more resilient (not sure), but 2 years isn't all that long if they were particularly well cared for and the owner a bit lucky. Wait.

By comparison, Stream and Nanostream pumps are precision made devices which are also inexpensive, silent, require little more than a periodic vinegar bath, have a great warranty and are seemingly indestructible. Trading those traits for unidirectional, short, fat flow and a cord outside the tank (i.e. "a different kind of ugly") is not a good trade in my book. (MP10's add extreme smallness to the equation, so IMO they actually offer significantly more value than the larger Vortechs....FWIW.)

YMMV!

-Matt

 

[chrispc66]

Mine are quiet enough. I don't think you've given them enough time to break in. The noise is related to te bearings on the dry side, I haven't done an upgrade yet, but seen some who have and they run completely silent after this IME.

I find mine at their noisiest in pulse mode....in all other modes they are acceptable....but not perfect.

 

[Poseidon]

To each their own, but I find the Vortec MP40 to be perfect for me. Yes, it makes a slight whine at times, but I don't hear it over my home theater. The undertow that these pumps produce is nothing short of amazing, it keeps all the crapola in suspension. I do not miss the ability to aim the pump, because that short wide flow is GENTLE as compared to a stream shooting out directly on to a coral. I don't have to move my pump, or corals to avoid that stream of water that can blast the flesh off my Acropora.

I considered Tunze for the new tank, but I wanted the "different ugly" as I now have a tight fitting screen top, with no openings at all on my tank.