Hydros Wave Engine - Should I return my VorTech MP40s?

[Dr. D]

Hello— this is my first post so please bear with me. New to the hobby but researching pretty much full time and serious about starting off right.

I have a 100g (DT) eShopps Mariner tank on the way, and as a gadget lover I’m enjoying the rabbit holes of various technologies. The Hydros ecosystem appeals to me very much. I’ve already ordered a Kraken and a Launch, and think I understand their use cases well enough.

Trouble is, I bought two VorTech MP40s before I understood the point of the Wave Engine, or knew they aren’t directly compatible with the WE. I think I’d be better off returning the MP40s and buying a WE and some compatible wave pumps. If so, any recommendations? I have the compatibility chart but don’t know which direction to go.

Or, if I’m missing something here or overthinking, please let me know. In addition to the elegance of having one Hydros wave controller, I’m particularly keyed on making sure that my battery-equipped Kraken will be able to run my wave pumps during short power outages.

Thanks— I’ve already learned so much here.

 

[Dr. D]

To be more specific, the pumps I have are model MP40wQD.

I add this because the Hydros website says “You can actually control an unlimited amount of VorTech “W” model pumps wirelessly.”

Are the VorTechs I have “W” models?

 

[JeffB418]

I would suggest reaching out directly to [email protected] and they can help you with this.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If the vortech's are fully returnable and you lose nothing, I would return them.... I love my wave engine/hydros system, I use 2 icecap gyres.

But as mentioned above, contact coralvue support, they are really good, they've always replied to me promptly.

 

[Dr. D]

Thank you both. After doing more research (including reading the WE manual, available online), I found that the MP40s can’t be fully controlled by the WE . I ended up returning them. For slightly less money I was able to purchase the standard Wave Engine (there is a lesser “Light” version often included in pump bundles) and two Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4 pumps, which are compatible.

 

[n2585722]

To be more specific, the pumps I have are model MP40wQD.

I add this because the Hydros website says “You can actually control an unlimited amount of VorTech “W” model pumps wirelessly.”

Are the VorTechs I have “W” models?

If they are the newer pumps they are not compatible. EcoTech is now a part of Aperture as is Apex. That may have something to do with the newer pumps not being able to downgrade from Mobius to the previous firmware before Mobius. I have a couple of MP10's that I control with a WEv2 but I also took the RF module from my ReefLink to use in the WEv2. The WEv2 does not come with the ecoTech RF module so You would have to get one somewhere to install in the WEv2. The WEv2 is a Wave Engine version 2. The WELE will not control any EcoTech pumps and it is the Wave Engine lite. Best bet is to get the OctoPulse pumps and also make sure and get the proper adapter cable for each pump.

 

[Dr. D]

Thank you. The Aperture/Apex angle is interesting and seems to explain it. I did order the adapter cables and look forward to joining the Hydros Collective.

 

[chapter7]

Thank you both. After doing more research (including reading the WE manual, available online), I found that the MP40s can’t be fully controlled by the WE . I ended up returning them. For slightly less money I was able to purchase the standard Wave Engine (there is a lesser “Light” version often included in pump bundles) and two Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4 pumps, which are compatible.

Hey Dr D! How do you like the Pulse 4’s so far?

I’m in the same boat as you, but with 4 various Jebao’s instead! I’m also full Hydros now and looking at the Pulse 4’s!

 

[mmorrison55]

If yiu don’t have a eurobrace that would make inside the tank wires more difficult to route, I’d return the mp40s and get something that specifically works with the wave engine and plug into your kraken for power.

I have mp40s and love them for my eurobraced tank, but really like what hydros is doing and wo7ld prefer it over Neptune apex.

 

[n2585722]

If yiu don’t have a eurobrace that would make inside the tank wires more difficult to route, I’d return the mp40s and get something that specifically works with the wave engine and plug into your kraken for power.

I have mp40s and love them for my eurobraced tank, but really like what hydros is doing and wo7ld prefer it over Neptune apex.

It depends on how old your MP40's are. I control my MP10's with my WEv2 but they were pre Mobius MP10's and I was controlling the via a ReefLink. I took the RF module out of the ReefLink and installed it into the WEv2. That was before the newer MP series came out that cannot be downgraded to pre Mobius firmware. I think the socket for the RF module is not installed on the newer WEv2 now. You would have to check with CoralVue if you have pre Mobius MP40's.

 

[Dr. D]

Thank you both. After doing more research (including reading the WE manual, available online), I found that the MP40s can’t be fully controlled by the WE . I ended up returning them. For slightly less money I was able to purchase the standard Wave Engine (there is a lesser “Light” version often included in pump bundles) and two Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4 pumps, which are compatible.

Hey Dr D! How do you like the Pulse 4’s so far?

I’m in the same boat as you, but with 4 various Jebao’s instead! I’m also full Hydros now and looking at the Pulse 4’s!

I’m happy with them. I have to admit it is nice to be able to control them through the Wave Engine. I do wish they had a “wet end” to make keeping two sets easier.

 

[JohnNYC8]

Thank you both. After doing more research (including reading the WE manual, available online), I found that the MP40s can’t be fully controlled by the WE . I ended up returning them. For slightly less money I was able to purchase the standard Wave Engine (there is a lesser “Light” version often included in pump bundles) and two Reef Octopus Octo Pulse 4 pumps, which are compatible.

The Octo Pulse pumps are great. I have the smaller ones on my 60g and the integration with Hydros is really slick. They put out a cone-shaped flow pattern that you can aim so there’s a lot of adjustability and they won’t blow away corals with super-direct flow.

 

[JohnNYC8]

Hey Dr D! How do you like the Pulse 4’s so far?

I’m in the same boat as you, but with 4 various Jebao’s instead! I’m also full Hydros now and looking at the Pulse 4’s!

I love my 2s in a 60g 24” cube. See above and note the flow pattern. If you’re trying to move water a long distance they won’t be the best choice as the flow is like a cone. I think BRS has a good video showing the flow pattern.

 

[chapter7]

I’m happy with them. I have to admit it is nice to be able to control them through the Wave Engine. I do wish they had a “wet end” to make keeping two sets easier.

cool … i just ordered some. now what to do with the 4 brand new jebao’s??

 

[chapter7]

I love my 2s in a 60g 24” cube. See above and note the flow pattern. If you’re trying to move water a long distance they won’t be the best choice as the flow is like a cone. I think BRS has a good video showing the flow pattern.

thx for the description! they’ll be along my back wall so only pushing 2-2 1/2 feet which should be perfect. can’t wait to play with the full HYDROS integration.