Which vortech mode do you prefer? TSM? Reef Crest? Other?

[lou dog420]

I run mine at 75% lagoon mode, alternating between sync and antisync every hour. Reefcrest mode seems to spend too much time at lower speeds.

 

[jamie callard Verified Sponsor]

Just got mine a week or so ago so far I am using reef crest during the day and lagoon at night I have 2 on my 90 that are synced love the flow and the easy control

 

[filbie70]

I got a new Vortech Mp40 last night ,
and I'm trying to decide what mode to run it in. In just reading about the different modes, I really like the TSM (Total Swell Mode) idea, but the Reef Crest (Random) mode seems like a good idea too. Which mode do you use and why?

My toy:

My tank:

Nutrient transfer is my favorite. If you get them set up right as a slave. You get some great wave action. I use it for about 30 min a day to clean the detritus after 5 minute. You can see my Vortech program at Reeftronic MattF.

 

[lou dog420]

I ran that for a while, but the waves made me nervous.. I've heard horror stories of people blowing seems out on tanks with vortechs.

 

[SteadyC]

Corallabs posted an article on what one coral farm does. You can get it at ecotechmarine.com/corallab. Basically for single pump systems they like reefcrest or short pulse for SPS tanks and lagoon or gyre for LPS tanks. For two pump systems, they like using the reef link and alternating one pump on reefcrest while the other is on constant and swapping during the day.

 

[Deaf clown]

I use reef crest because my pumps don't get as warm as they do on other modes and it's random too.

 

[Ladysabertooth2]

Jealous here getting a mp10 this tax return time. I am also looking at either a protein skimmer (not running one now) or a apex Jr. I mostly have lps, softies and just 2 sps that were given to me. Amazing enough they are growing like crazy.. my tank is a innovative marine nuvo 20. Anyway I didn't even think of the reef link. Is it a must? Also thoughts on a protein skimmer for this? The problem is I don't have much room from the back of tank and the wall.

 

[SteadyC]

Jealous here getting a mp10 this tax return time. I am also looking at either a protein skimmer (not running one now) or a apex Jr. I mostly have lps, softies and just 2 sps that were given to me. Amazing enough they are growing like crazy.. my tank is a innovative marine nuvo 20. Anyway I didn't even think of the reef link. Is it a must? Also thoughts on a protein skimmer for this? The problem is I don't have much room from the back of tank and the wall.

Apex has a module you can use to configure the Vortech too, the WXM wireless module, option to the Reeflink. I searched on the internet for "innovative marine nuvo 20 protein skimmer" and found many articles, YouTube videos, and MarineDepot articles of which protein skimmers people have fit into the Nuvo 20. For example, this site has a neat video at the bottom, Nuvo 20 tank hacks. http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovati...rs-Innovative_Marine-0I10453-FIPSISNW-vi.html

 

[Ladysabertooth2]

thank I will check it out.. looks like a mp10 and apex Jr this time and save up for a skimmer

 

[jwilliams860]

Great comments, dont you know I have had these QD's running on my tank and never thought about programming them through ecosmart

 

[bif24701]

I have 3 MP40's on a 180. Left side is RC @ 100%. Right side is 100% on Constant. Back runs reefcrest on 50%. I do this for 6 hours and then reverse left and right side. The cycle continues switching every 6 hours.

That's a real nice set up and flow. I'm sure your tank is happy.

I can only have on MP60 because my tank was built with the over flow on one far end (peninsula style) and too close to back wall for one on the back. I put a Tunze 6105 to push water around my structures near the over flow area. Nothing settles in this arrangement with 60x's display turnover.

 

[A13X]

I have two MP40's and two MP10's.
The 40's are on each side and the 10's are on the back. The master has the modes and the others are just on Anti-Sync mode.
The steep slope is for when the tank settles for feeding time by my Apex Automatic Feeder.
But as you can see I like the pulse setting, I really like the wave action they create.
Lagoon for night time, and as morning comes. It goes into reefcrest. And slowly ramps up the intensity of the flow.

 

[brobs7896]

I like to run tidal swell or reef crest, with few ntm in between

 

[AdamNC]

2 MP40s at opposite ends of the tank set up master/slave. Running in Reef Crest mode with night time from 10pm-8am.

 

[Scott.h]

2 MP40s at opposite ends of the tank set up master/slave. Running in Reef Crest mode with night time from 10pm-8am.

how do you get the night time mode to automatically kick in at the desired time? I'm assuming by night time you mean lagoon?

 

[AdamNC]

Night time mode is just a constant flow at 50% of your max speed. To get to night time mode wait til the time you want it to go on, say at 10pm. Hold the left and middle button until the knob light flashes, then release for a second and then press in the buttons again. In night time mode the knob button will slowly flash white. If you have a master/slave setup you only need to do the master and the slave will automatically follow suit. If your using a Reeflink or an Apex and wxm then you do it in the settings. This will put it into night time mode for 10 hours. If you have to unplug it or it looses power, you'll have to set it up again. Not ideal but at least there's no extra equipment to buy or a diode set up near your lights.

 

[Scott.h]

Night time mode is just a constant flow at 50% of your max speed. To get to night time mode wait til the time you want it to go on, say at 10pm. Hold the left and middle button until the knob light flashes, then release for a second and then press in the buttons again. In night time mode the knob button will slowly flash white. If you have a master/slave setup you only need to do the master and the slave will automatically follow suit. If your using a Reeflink or an Apex and wxm then you do it in the settings. This will put it into night time mode for 10 hours. If you have to unplug it or it looses power, you'll have to set it up again. Not ideal but at least there's no extra equipment to buy or a diode set up near your lights.

I have an apex but I don't have the wxm module. I have the battery backup for the pumps so that's no big deal, but each night do you manually turn it to night mode or are you doing that via reef link or wxm? I guess what I'm getting at is there a preprogrammed mode in the ecotech controler without using the wxm that allows it to go to a calmer mode for the night without having to remember to manually turn it on and off every night/morning?

 

[TonapahNorth]

Lagoon overnight
Reef crest for most of the day
In the afternoon it goes through short pulse (wave in the tank from side to side) then nutrient transport in the late evening

Got it. Thanks.

 

[Pongo]

This is my current schedule. I like to run NTM around feeding time hoping to clear out any leftovers.
Left MP40 is on the back wall, right MP40 is on the right side wall. Each MP40 has an Apex WAV near it. The MP40s are about mid level on the vertical, the WAVs are near the surface.
The flow is chaotic during the day, more peaceful at night.

 

[AdamNC]

I have an apex but I don't have the wxm module. I have the battery backup for the pumps so that's no big deal, but each night do you manually turn it to night mode or are you doing that via reef link or wxm? I guess what I'm getting at is there a preprogrammed mode in the ecotech controler without using the wxm that allows it to go to a calmer mode for the night without having to remember to manually turn it on and off every night/morning?

You only have to do it once unless it loses power. It will keep your schedule. Whenever you set it, 10 hours later it goes to your normal day time mode whether it Reef Crest, lagoon or what ever.