Vortech MP40 V Nero 5

[JD117]

I currently have a 3ft tank and I’m going to change my wave maker as it’s finally struggling

Within the next few years I’m going to be moving house the upgrading to my dream tank which will be around 7ft (maybe 8 )

Therefore, the kit im buying now (like lights, wave makers etc.) i would like to try and use on my next tank to save me buying it all again fairly soon

For wave makers, there seems to be some debate about Nero and vortech and I was wondering what peoples opinions were on the two? I’m not sure if the difference in tank makes too much difference (e.g. could I buy multiple mp40s later?)

Thank you in advance

 

[Rocks reef]

If you plan to upgrade, I'd get the powerheads you want to use for the new build. You can always run them a lower power, which is wise to do anyway.

 

[JD117]

If you plan to upgrade, I'd get the powerheads you want to use for the new build. You can always run them a lower power, which is wise to do anyway.

Amazing thank you. Do you have a recommendation or personal experience with Nero or Vortechs by any chance?

 

[JD117]

If you plan to upgrade, I'd get the powerheads you want to use for the new build. You can always run them a lower power, which is wise to do anyway.

Amazing thank you. Do you have a recommendation or personal experience with Nero or Vortechs by any chance?

 

[RockRash]

If you plan to upgrade, I'd get the powerheads you want to use for the new build. You can always run them a lower power, which is wise to do anyway.

That's what I did 2 mp40's running about 25%.

 

[JonoH]

I went through this same question when i started my build years ago.

Go with the MP40's - I did and have no regrets.

Just being able to swap out a wetside in a minute with no cables makes it worth it!

 

[RockRash]

Amazing thank you. Do you have a recommendation or personal experience with Nero or Vortechs by any chance?

My vote is vortech, I can't stand visible wires in the display. The only place I would consider anything else is if I put something on the back glass and that's only because I painted it black. Both are good and my opinion is purely visual.

 

[D.WhiteShark]

Ive had both MP40 and Nero 5. 100% spend the extra money and get the MP40s. you will absolutely not regret it

 

[Australian_Reef]

I have both. Vortechs are objectively better in almost every way. But the price is now ridiculous. Especially if you are looking at a 7ft tank in future your are most likely looking at mp60’s not mp40’s and Nero 7 not 5. which is a huge price jump for the vortech. It’s more for me about value not absolute price.

I have a new 6ft and I’ve run vortechs for over 10 years but on this new build I decided on Nero 7’s and orbit 4s due to price point (value) alone. They are great pumps just not as neat and versatile as vortechs. If you can afford and they represent value to you the vortechs then get them, you won’t be disappointed .. but get the mp60s not the 40s and run them low or you’ll end up buying more in future. If not then the Nero 7 will serve you very well. I think money is better spent on livestock and ecotech are just inflating prices beyond the decent value proposition for me.

In a similar way I’m not putting radions on the tank because the recent price gouging (imo) has become too much from ecotech despite being a customer for many years. It’s a strategy I know as they both have the same parent company so it’s not brand preference.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I’ve tried and had a lot of power heads over the years. I even purchased 4 mp40’s and 2mp 10’s that I used for 2 months and now they sit in the basement. Lots of reasons for that.

I also tried

2 Nero 7’s
2 AI orbit 4
2 reef wave 40’s

And all that being said they sit in the basement back in the box….


Now I have to say the winner of the flow contest went to 2 Tunze 6105’s. Hands down my absolute favorite Powerhead for many reasons. Having the ability to change the guard and have a wide or narrow flow was huge. I ultimately stuck with the narrow guard and I’m getting such good current alternating in a peninsula. Something none of the other power heads could do. Also the ability to aim them in any direction is a game changer.

I know it’s not what you asked but I thought I’d throw the idea out there. I had EcoTech’s since the first one and now I’m Tunze all the way.

 

[Australian_Reef]

I’ve tried and had a lot of power heads over the years. I even purchased 4 mp40’s and 2mp 10’s that I used for 2 months and now they sit in the basement. Lots of reasons for that.

I also tried

2 Nero 7’s
2 AI orbit 4
2 reef wave 40’s

And all that being said they sit in the basement back in the box….


Now I have to say the winner of the flow contest went to 2 Tunze 6105’s. Hands down my absolute favorite Powerhead for many reasons. Having the ability to change the guard and have a wide or narrow flow was huge. I ultimately stuck with the narrow guard and I’m getting such good current alternating in a peninsula. Something none of the other power heads could do. Also the ability to aim them in any direction is a game changer.

I know it’s not what you asked but I thought I’d throw the idea out there. I had EcoTech’s since the first one and now I’m Tunze all the way.

Can’t beat tunze on pretty much everything (except price). Great VALUE though. Unfortunately for me getting tunze anything is like sourcing hens teeth. I’d always second a vote for tunze.
If you’re opening up the choice don’t discount the reef octo too.

 

[exnisstech]

I have mp40s and Nero 5s as well as MP10s and Nero 3s. I prefer the vortechs. My biggest gripe with the neros is the long cable connected to the motor makes it a pita to clean because you have to remove the entire cable which runs into the stand on my set up. Rather than having to pull the cable out I place a container on a stool next to the tank and clean them there. The vortechs I just keep a spare wet side and swap them out. My neros are on the shelf as backups.
I run 4 MP40s on an 84x30x25" tank. Price is a hard pill to swallow.
There are the jecod knock offs out now but who knows how long they'll last. I did buy a DMP 30 recently to try out.
Tunze are bullet proof and I have one that has been running non stop for over 6 years in my live rock storage bin. I just don't like the way they look in the tank because they stick out so far.

 

[mcarroll]

I disagree with the premise.....worry about the flow in the next tank if and when it happens. Buy the right gear for this tank now.

For a specific pump recommendation, I don't know how anyone has answered without knowing more than one dimension of the tanks in question – what are the dimensions of your 36" tank? But comparing brands you mentioned, isn't the Nero just a Vortech that can be aimed a little vs always being flat against one of the walls?

 

[JD117]

I went through this same question when i started my build years ago.

Go with the MP40's - I did and have no regrets.

Just being able to swap out a wetside in a minute with no cables makes it worth it!

I appreciate the answer thank you! Very reassuring to read!

 

[JD117]

I have both. Vortechs are objectively better in almost every way. But the price is now ridiculous. Especially if you are looking at a 7ft tank in future your are most likely looking at mp60’s not mp40’s and Nero 7 not 5. which is a huge price jump for the vortech. It’s more for me about value not absolute price.

I have a new 6ft and I’ve run vortechs for over 10 years but on this new build I decided on Nero 7’s and orbit 4s due to price point (value) alone. They are great pumps just not as neat and versatile as vortechs. If you can afford and they represent value to you the vortechs then get them, you won’t be disappointed .. but get the mp60s not the 40s and run them low or you’ll end up buying more in future. If not then the Nero 7 will serve you very well. I think money is better spent on livestock and ecotech are just inflating prices beyond the decent value proposition for me.

In a similar way I’m not putting radions on the tank because the recent price gouging (imo) has become too much from ecotech despite being a customer for many years. It’s a strategy I know as they both have the same parent company so it’s not brand preference.

Thank you very much for taking the time to get such a detailed answer! I agree and I was surprised at how expensive they are but similarly to you, value is a big thing for me. I also want to purchase something once and then not regret it (hence the future buying) as I’ve finally learned to get the right the first time around instead of trying to compromise quality as it’s always more expensive in the long run haha!

 

[JD117]

I’ve tried and had a lot of power heads over the years. I even purchased 4 mp40’s and 2mp 10’s that I used for 2 months and now they sit in the basement. Lots of reasons for that.

I also tried

2 Nero 7’s
2 AI orbit 4
2 reef wave 40’s

And all that being said they sit in the basement back in the box….


Now I have to say the winner of the flow contest went to 2 Tunze 6105’s. Hands down my absolute favorite Powerhead for many reasons. Having the ability to change the guard and have a wide or narrow flow was huge. I ultimately stuck with the narrow guard and I’m getting such good current alternating in a peninsula. Something none of the other power heads could do. Also the ability to aim them in any direction is a game changer.

I know it’s not what you asked but I thought I’d throw the idea out there. I had EcoTech’s since the first one and now I’m Tunze all the way.

I’m glad you’ve mentioned them as I hadn’t even considered them at first so I will definitely have a look into them

So is their USP how adjustable the flow is?

 

[Euphyllia098]

FYI, If you want some adjustability on the Vortech's 4D Aquatics has adjustable nozzles for them. They also come with wide and narrow flow inserts.

https://www.4daquatics.com/reef-keeping-products
I agree with @Australian_Reef about the price gouging. The prices keep going up but nothing changes. Unfortunately though there really isn't any competition imo with that style of pump. If wires aren't a problem, then there's lots of options.

I do like the ease of maintenance, and while many complain about it I think Mobius offers superior control of the pump.

You could always look for used Vortech's also, they pop up pretty regular on here.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I’m glad you’ve mentioned them as I hadn’t even considered them at first so I will definitely have a look into them

So is their USP how adjustable the flow is?

They have all the same programming as the vortechs. They were easy to program and I like the web based controls. It makes it very easy to program them in every way.

 

[Reef Jedi]

FYI, If you want some adjustability on the Vortech's 4D Aquatics has adjustable nozzles for them. They also come with wide and narrow flow inserts.

https://www.4daquatics.com/reef-keeping-products
I agree with @Australian_Reef about the price gouging. The prices keep going up but nothing changes. Unfortunately though there really isn't any competition imo with that style of pump. If wires aren't a problem, then there's lots of options.

I do like the ease of maintenance, and while many complain about it I think Mobius offers superior control of the pump.

You could always look for used Vortech's also, they pop up pretty regular on here.

Interesting, I didn’t know they made different “cones” for them to narrow the flow. How do you think the narrow cages do compared to a Tunze. I have 4 new mp40’s and 2 mp10’s just sitting unused in the basement. I’d be curious how well the narrower cages do.

 

[Euphyllia098]

Interesting, I didn’t know they made different “cones” for them to narrow the flow. How do you think the narrow cages do compared to a Tunze. I have 4 new mp40’s and 2 mp10’s just sitting unused in the basement. I’d be curious how well the narrower cages do.

The wide flow nozzle seems to be about the same as the stock configuration, except that you can point the flow in different directions. The narrow one seems to push the water further. I didn't know if that makes any sense.

On my 24x24 cube I use the narrow one because I can direct the flow so that it doesn't directly hit any corals. I was a beginner when I set the tank up and didn't think about where flow would go, especially when the corals grew larger.

So the narrow nozzle allows me to put the Vortech on my back wall, and aim the flow up and to the right along the glass so that it doesn't directly hit any corals.

Now compared to the tunze I'm not sure because I've never used them.

It's definitely narrower than a Nero. The Nero's have a pretty wide spread imo.