My MP40w experience

[dakotasreef]

Let's start this off, where I started.

Now my tank is a SPS bare bottom tank, so I need quite a bit of random flow.

I have a 120 gallon 4x2x2 with 1 corner overflow pumping 800gph into the tank

Originally I had 1 Koralia 6, 2 Koralia 4's and 1 Maxi jet 1200 w/ecomod. I replaced 1 of the Koralia 4's with the new Evo 1400. The problem I was having was not having random flow. I had the 6 and evo on a timer, but it really just ended up being one sided still. Having this many powerheads also increased my tank temp by almost 2 1/2 degrees.

So I purchased 1 new Vortech MP40w and installed it into the tank. Now these are amazing pieces of equipment. I installed it on one end of the tank. The problem I noticed was that the flow did not reach all the other way to the end of the tank. About 3/4 the way across had some flow, but it was def one directional.

So I continued to play with it and trying to adjust it, but no luck. So I was lucky enough to come across another MP40w used for a great price, so I jumped on it.

I installed the other MP40w and wow, what a difference. I have them facing each other on opposite ends of the tank. Now I have amazing flow, with an incredible randomized flow. The nice thing is, it is not laminar flow. It is as close to natural ocean currents that I have ever seen. You should see the few lps pieces I have, Beautiful. The polyp extension, especially on my Millepora is insane. I think it has even improved coloration on most of my SPS.

The only thing that bothered me was that everywhere I looked, I could not find anything written that said I would def need 2 MP40w's for my tank. On Ecotech's website, it says that the MP40w is rated for 50-500 gallon tanks. If you just ran the pump on constant speed, full power then you might be able to get away a 120 fish only or softie tank.

Now I will say that 2 MP40w's are a little stronger than what I need in a 120. I think it is better to have the power there if I need it and not to run the pumps at 100% and save the motors a little.

Just my thoughts. I could not be happier that I have them now. I have eliminated the excess heat and any possible stray current in my tank.

 

[Antonias1391]

i really wish i could afford one. a k1 in a 75g sps tank doesnt cut it lol thankfully i have my close loop, return, and a k4 as well.good review :D

 

[SaraB]

I just received my 2nd MP40W and will install it this weekend. I have a 268G 7.5 foot long tank and needed a bit more flow. My current one sends flow down across the back of the tank and I'll install this new one to run more down the front of the tank on the opposite end so I have some circular flow. I have 2 surges that filre from back to front, so that adds some randomness to my flow as well.

I've been a long time Tunze customer as well, but with wrasses and screens on the top of the tank, I'm having trouble sealing off the top of my acrylic tank with the cords is all. I did order new Tunzes as well for my frag tank as I love that product too!

 

[dakotasreef]

i really wish i could afford one. a k1 in a 75g sps tank doesnt cut it lol thankfully i have my close loop, return, and a k4 as well.good review :D

I would just keep your eyes open. There are some deals on ebay and here on them, you just need to be quick. I would also search all of craigslist. There was a guy in pa that was selling 2 for 550.00 with extra wetsides for both.

 

[iani]

I love my vortechs. I think 2 on a 120 is perfect.

 

[roscoe]

VT is the ish!!!! I have 2 on my 270g SPS along side a few Tunze. I have some major randomized flow.

 

[dakotasreef]

I had read some great reviews, but I do not really think I grasped how great it would really be. I love them and so does my sps.

 

[sportzfish]

I have two on a 5' long 100 gallon and I think it is enough flow with the two in ReefCrest and anti-sync. Definitely not too much.

 

[DCG1286]

Love my 2 Vortechs on my 120 as well ... the flow they produce is just AMAZING! I usually run them at about 80% during the day ... I am about to install a 6ft'er ... so I think another one is in order for the tank. I want to get one of the new ES series pump, they look so cool!

 

[Lytehouse]

Great review,

just the kind of info i've been looking for

Thanks

 

[dakotasreef]

Love my 2 Vortechs on my 120 as well ... the flow they produce is just AMAZING! I usually run them at about 80% during the day ... I am about to install a 6ft'er ... so I think another one is in order for the tank. I want to get one of the new ES series pump, they look so cool!

I would do some reading. I believe that the 2nd gen does not work in wave mode with the es, if that matters at all. I think you can only reap all of the benefits if all of them are the ES model.

 

[whip1]

my review is I love them but..
here is my problem
I have a 180 24x24 x72 2 Mp40 w es 1800gph return pump
we have one exactly oppisite each other on both ends of the tank centered.
we have played around with them for weeks and love the way they talk to each other and the random flow patterns
especially the reef crest mode my problem is I have them both on 100% and still feel that I dont have enough flow?
what could be the problem? do I need a 3rd?or is it that I was used to the Mag 7's that would blow the crap out of the surface water in only one direction and now it seems my surface is moving from corner to corner but not as swiftly. all my sps's are happy corals look good.
how do I know if this is enough flow? I have the fish guards on the MP40's should I take them off? would that cut down flow?
is anyone running them without the guards?
Thanks Dakota for bringing this subject up. p.s. another problem I had the pumps on nutrient export mode for a couple of days and my water has been full of debri every since thats been a week ago. I plan on putting filter bags on this weekend will that help?

 

[iani]

Whip1, I am setting up a 72x30x24 soon and I will be putting 6 on my tank. 2 on each side and 2 on the back. For your tank I would get at 4 of them. One on each side and 2 on the back. And yes take the foam guards off. They do cut down the flow.

 

[whip1]

Whip1, I am setting up a 72x30x24 soon and I will be putting 6 on my tank. 2 on each side and 2 on the back. For your tank I would get at 4 of them. One on each side and 2 on the back. And yes take the foam guards off. They do cut down the flow.

ok so the 2 on the back should the be MP 10 ,20 or 40? wow and here I thought the ol mighty MP 40'S would keep me from having 4 or 5 pumps:( now
thats a disapointment.

 

[iani]

I would get mp40s. With the new modes on the ecosmart driver, you can set the pump to same side, opposite side, and back of tank. You can also set the pumps to to different intensities running the same program.

 

[dakotasreef]

I think you are having the same problem that I had with 1. I only noticed water movement approx 3 feet from the vortech. Being that your tank is so long, you might need to get a few more or add some other powerheads. The only problem if you go with another brand , I think you would interfere with the wave action of the vortechs

 

[whip1]

I would get mp40s. With the new modes on the ecosmart driver, you can set the pump to same side, opposite side, and back of tank. You can also set the pumps to to different intensities running the same program.

yeah we figured out how to set it up to do that with the 2 we have when one is slowing down the other speeds up or pulses etc..
I read alot about these before buying them and everything I read said that 2 40's es on our size tank was the way to go:(
apparently they were wrong. I thought it didnt have enough flow b/c they are set at 100% all the time...
so I wont have to worry about my fish being killed if I take the guards off? I love my fish

 

[SaraB]

My only complaint with the Vortech is the whirrling noise as they ramp up and down ... my Tunze's were dead silent.

 

[whip1]

I think you are having the same problem that I had with 1. I only noticed water movement approx 3 feet from the vortech. Being that your tank is so long, you might need to get a few more or add some other powerheads. The only problem if you go with another brand , I think you would interfere with the wave action of the vortechs

well we are in it this deep I will get the same pumps.the wave scares me it looks like the water is gonna slosh out of the tank. did you all read the warning in the booklet about your tanks being able to handle the added preasure of the wave and can cause the tank to break? freaky man

 

[DCG1286]

I would do some reading. I believe that the 2nd gen does not work in wave mode with the es, if that matters at all. I think you can only reap all of the benefits if all of them are the ES model.

I will definitely have to look into that ... maybe it's time to upgrade all of tHe pumps ... lol ... one of the Vortechs is roughly 3+ years old (NOT SAYING THAT THIS REALLY MATTERS ... Just looking for an excuse to purchase the new ones ;) )

On a side note ... I really only run the Vortechs on Reefcrest and Lagoon mode.