Vortech MP40

[Pickle_soup]

On the brighter side, once you get them going, you will absolutely love them. Did you get one or multiple? Parent/child mode is awesome.

 

[kp33]

Just one it says it does 5000 gph I have a 90 so figured one is plenty I think it’s for 50-500 gallons so I’m on small side there .

 

[Pickle_soup]

Just one it says it does 5000 gph I have a 90 so figured one is plenty I think it’s for 50-500 gallons so I’m on small side there .

Yeah, but after 24 inches or so it loses a lot of power. I try not to run mine above 60%

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Oh man... @kp33, did you purchase this pump used? You've suggested that you have multiple wetsides. Is that correct?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I really think it's the issue of calibrating it correctly.

What do you mean by calibrating it? How do you calibrate the vortech? Are you talking about aligning the magnets?

 

[air_run]

Not many people know but, Vortechs really need to be broken in properly. First, I would disassemble it and make sure everything looks good, rinse it down and put a little o-ring grease on the back of the magnet where it touches the flat white ceramic disk. Reassemble it and make sure it snaps into place fully.

For your case use the thin spacer and install the powerhead and run it on normal (constant) at 5% for 24 hours. Every 24 hours go up another 5% and so on until you get to maybe 60% or whatever your aquarium can handle. At that point you can program it to do whatever. This typically takes about 2 weeks at most.

For reference:

https://support.ecotechmarine.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020863294-VorTech-Wetside-Break-in-Procedure-

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I'm leaning towards a cracked magnet. But there are a lot of unknowns that need to be answered.

Like have you tried to spin the propeller? Is there a lot of resistance? Does it spin freely?

I never understood the silicone grease thing, even from the factory they shouldn't have a lot on them, but after use and after cleaning, there's no reason for it except if you're storing it.

 

[Pickle_soup]

What do you mean by calibrating it? How do you calibrate the vortech? Are you talking about aligning the magnets?

I mean adjusting the speed to max and then attaching the wet side. Probably not the best word to use, but it's the only one popping up in my head atm.

 

[kp33]

Oh man... @kp33, did you purchase this pump used? You've suggested that you have multiple wetsides. Is that correct?

No it’s brand new, one wet side.

 

[kp33]

Yeah, but after 24 inches or so it loses a lot of power. I try not to run mine above 60%

24 inches? What you mean by that.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

No it’s brand new, one wet side.

Ok, so my thoughts go to propeller restriction. Take it apart and see how free the prop spins, if it feels stiff remove as much of that silicone grease as you can.

 

[kp33]

So I let it sit for a while attached wet to dry. Turned it back on and it seems to be working, it isn’t falling off for now anyway. Hopefully it’s fixed. It is loud on higher speeds but I guess I can move the wet side to see where it’s less noisy? Now I have to learn how to set all the modes and which is best.

 

[Pickle_soup]

So I let it sit for a while attached wet to dry. Turned it back on and it seems to be working, it isn’t falling off for now anyway. Hopefully it’s fixed. It is loud on higher speeds but I guess I can move the wet side to see where it’s less noisy? Now I have to learn how to set all the modes and which is best.

It shouldn't be loud. It's basically silent. Turn it to 100% on constant speed more mode and move the wet side gently. It will pop in place and become silent.

 

[kp33]

It shouldn't be loud. It's basically silent. Turn it to 100% on constant speed more mode and move the wet side gently. It will pop in place and become silent.

I hope so, will mess with it later today, I believe I was on reef mode maybe where it ramps up and down and when it ramped up it got loud.

 

[air_run]

I hope so, will mess with it later today, I believe I was on reef mode maybe where it ramps up and down and when it ramped up it got loud.

It's loud because it needs to be broken in, slowly.

 

[kp33]

Not many people know but, Vortechs really need to be broken in properly. First, I would disassemble it and make sure everything looks good, rinse it down and put a little o-ring grease on the back of the magnet where it touches the flat white ceramic disk. Reassemble it and make sure it snaps into place fully.

For your case use the thin spacer and install the powerhead and run it on normal (constant) at 5% for 24 hours. Every 24 hours go up another 5% and so on until you get to maybe 60% or whatever your aquarium can handle. At that point you can program it to do whatever. This typically takes about 2 weeks at most.

For reference:

https://support.ecotechmarine.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020863294-VorTech-Wetside-Break-in-Procedure-

ok, I will give that a shot.

 

[Pickle_soup]

I hope so, will mess with it later today, I believe I was on reef mode maybe where it ramps up and down and when it ramped up it got loud.

Both of mine are completely silent. It's about getting to fit perfectly. It's a tiny window where it just clicks in perfectly. Run it on constant mode bull blast and gently adjust the wetside. It will pop right in. You will know it when it happens. Turn the wetside counterclockwise.

 

[kp33]

Both of mine are completely silent. It's about getting to fit perfectly. It's a tiny window where it just clicks in perfectly. Run it on constant mode bull blast and gently adjust the wetside. It will pop right in. You will know it when it happens. Turn the wetside counterclockwise.

ok ill try that. Thanks.

 

[kp33]

Both of mine are completely silent. It's about getting to fit perfectly. It's a tiny window where it just clicks in perfectly. Run it on constant mode bull blast and gently adjust the wetside. It will pop right in. You will know it when it happens. Turn the wetside counterclockwise.

So I e tried that on green setting all the way up I can get it somewhat quiet but not totally howeve if while on green on turn it down it gets loud again. I’ve been turning clockwise have not felt anything like you said where it will fit in and I’ll know it moved it up down left right all over .

 

[Derrick0580]

If ecotech is watching….maybe you should cast alignment marks on both sides of the pieces!!