MP-40 Opinions?

[Cash]

I am about to pull the trigger and get a MP40. I am getting tired of playing the aim game with 2 K4's. The problem with the K4's is im getting alot of sand bed movement, I think from them fighting each other. Will I have the same problem with the MP40? Also should 1 MP40 be enough for a 90g? I am hoping to only have to use the MP40.
I am probably ordering it this Monday
Thanks

[tazzy695]

one should be more then enough I would set it higher in the tank on one side and pulse it so you create a wave effect

the hight will minimize the sand disturbance and wave effect will actualy stir everything better then just solid on flow minimize dead spots

[Mike]

The MP40 is a quality product and will blow you away once you get it in the tank.

[youngtimothy]

I have 2 in my 100 gal, love them!! 1 is probably enough they create a nice undertow my sand moved for a little while but its all good now.

[jimsflies]

I hate to say this :hide:...but I have had nothing but problems with my Vortech since I bought it. With that said, EcoTech stands behind their product and will resolve the problems. If you buy an extra Vortech for a back-up it may not bother you having it break every other month. I'm on the third repair in six months.

The external/wide flow pump concept is great, but it's unreliability is a real hassle. I attribute some of my tanks problems due to the fact it wasn't operational for at least 10 days each time it's needed repairs. In retrospect I should have kept the two tunze 6055's and the Neptune Aquasurf controller I previously used.

[ReeferRob]

Cash as u know I have a mp10 and an mp20. Love them both. Not a single issue, and very easy to clean and service. Instead of popping for a second one spend the extra dooh on the battery back up. They are now designed in house rather than by IceCap and are said to be more efficient and have longer run times. This was a major factor for me!


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[jimsflies]

Instead of popping for a second one spend the extra dooh on the battery back up.


This is a solution to a completely different problem though. If the pump isn't working it still won't work with the battery backup.

Andy also has an MP-40 and his has broke down twice since he got it in early December.

[ReeferRob]

This is a solution to a completely different problem though. If the pump isn't working it still won't work with the battery backup.

Andy also has an MP-40 and his has broke down twice since he got it in early December.

I know, I was just adding that point incase it had been overlooked.

I have heard of some issues and oddly its always been the 40 I hear of.??

[Fishgeek88]

My MP20 had a controller issue. Under 1 year old.

[Cash]

Well My mp40 should be here Friday.

[Werdlone]

there are plenty of stories about issues with these pumps, but on the good side, ecotech is very good about solving the problems or trying to solve the problems. My personal experience with them is great. I run 2 mp40's in my 150 gallon and have incrediblel water movement throughout the entire tank. they are a little louder than my tunze streams, but the motor is on the outside of the tank. I bought a 3rd mp40 for my frag tank. I have to wait to see what the longevity on these pumps will be, but so far (6 months), I love them.

Keep your koralia pumps and use them if you have any flow issues with only one mp40 pump. Use one in your sump to keep detritus from settling.

I think you will be very happy with your purchase!

[schminksbro]

I have had some problems with my MP40 but nothing else compares to the flow. Ecotech has taken very good care of me thus far so I am going to stick with it.

[stunreefer]

Instead of popping for a second one spend the extra dooh on the battery back up. They are now designed in house rather than by IceCap and are said to be more efficient and have longer run times.
FWIW, one of my fellow angel/reefer buddies lost over $9,000 in fish due to five VT batt back-ups failing at the same time. He had 6 VTs, all on batt back-ups, and only one turned on... unfortunately this one was located at the bottom of the tank so it didn't oxygenate the water enough. He lost power on Christmas Eve ('09), and woke up to many of his prized fish and several corals dead. Had a generator and everything but didn't wake up when the power went out - but... why should you when you have Vortech's "fail-safe" in place? Not to fail safe, eh? He did everything right, cycled them once a month and all.

I hate to bring this kind of thing up as I was planning on using VT's (as I had in the past) again on batt back-ups, but have no interest now. This guy is top of his game when it comes to the hobby and I highly trust and respect everything he says. Such a downer :(

After speaking with multiple other people we're leaning towards the notion that the pumps themselves had re-start-up issues, rather then the batt back-up actually having issues. Ecotech offered to "test" the batt back-ups when he contacted them, but they seem to be missing the point that what's done is done and their "fail-safe" ultimately failed in the worst manner possible.

He's still working to resolve this with Ecotech/Ice Cap, but things aren't looking too bright at the moment... depending how things pan out you'll likely see a thread in their forum on RC with pictures of dead Meridethi Angels, Conspiculatus Angel, Wrought Iron Butterfly and much more :( He has since implemented a whole house power generator that kicks on as soon as the power goes out - and switched back to Tunzes to avoid re-start-up issues.

I've been an avid fan of VT's since the day they came out, but with this let down to a long time friend, and it such an incredibly horrid manner I will no longer be.

BTW Rob, love the new avatar :tongue_out:

[Manoj's Reef]

When I started this hobby 1.5 years ago I used maxijets. Because of their narrow flow and high power consumption, I was looking for an alternative after 8 months into the hobby, I did lot of reading and talking to people and determined that

Vortechs are extremely good when then work, but there are issues with the wetside. The customer service of vortech makes up for the not so robust (in my mind) product.

After paying approx $400 dollars, I dont think its a good idea to be dealing with these many issues. - Again I would like to say that I have always heard from people that when the product works there is nothing like it.

After 8 months into the hobby I decided to try a simple tunze 6045, I have been happy with the product for what it does.

I bought two more tunzes couple of months ago and I should say I happy with the product.

[jimsflies]

I think those of us that have had problems are frustrated because we know the product is a good concept and unique in it's design. Any time something doesn't work it is frustrating. The first time you have problems good customer service makes up for the problems. But then after the second and third time of problems, even with the good customer service, the problems get real old.

I'm at the point I just want it to work and not make a career out of calling ecotech and sending it in for service. I've got too many other things going on to be constantly dealing with the problems.

[Bella127]

I have two vortech mp40's in my 60 cube. Yes this is way over kill , but I like the alternate flow pattern in anti sync mode. One thing to make sure is to set the magnet to the right glass thickness by rotating to correct thickness. I use mine at 65% in reef crest mode . As where to place them , if you put them too high in the tank you will create a "Tornado effect" and if you place them too low you will have a "blowing substrate effect" and if they are set to maximum power you may have both lol. Just play around with them to find out their potential. Never had a real problem with the mechanics of them , but you will get that "Vortech humm". You can be in another room and hear it but you get used to it. There is no heat issues what so ever . I have heard as of late that the customer service has taken a hit over the last couple months.

When setting it up be sure to have the clips to hold the cord in place just in case the dry side decides to come off the magnet. If it is not set properly, it will vibrate violently and automatically shut off once plugged in and possibly come crashing to floor. Guilty of doing that more than once .lol

These are nice pumps but with everything they have to be maintained .I give my "wet side" a vinegar bath at least every other month. Try not to take the wet side assy apart if you do not have too . You can take off the guard to scrub everything , but once you start taking apart the impeller and guts you will be asking for trouble. Good luck and enjoy your MP40w

[ReeferRob]

Wow Austin that really sucks. Sorry for your friends loss.

In all reality most can't afford such a baller set up to have an auto generator kick on during a power outage. I mean we all can't have "Marvin Money" LOL Instead most are forced to use the battery back up as a fail safe. And with next to know one in the industry offering a comparable substitute this is the only real option for myself and many others. Yes Im depending on it coming through for me when the time comes. Will it hopefully, can it fail? Murphys law says yes. But having a battery back up is better than having nothing at all.

Your friends issue does make me curious though. Are examples like this reasons for Ecotech and VT to start making their own battery backup in house now, rather than outsourcing it through IceCap???

As far as the stated issue with re start. Like I said above Murphy's Law applies to just about every aspect of this hobby. Sure some could have issues, some do have issues and others like me have never had an issue at all. But this is true with anything in life.
I could see how easy it would and could be if not set up properly and or not maintained regularly.

I once a month, remove both my wet side assemblies and completely disassemble them for cleaning and inspection of wear and tear. Very easy to do with such a well engineered and well built design. No sense in running such an important and expensive piece of equipment until failure. There are very informative videos on how to do this on youtube and the manufactures web site.

I can also appreciate Jims perspective. I know all to well how frustrating it can be when something doesn't work as described, and hope this head ache is behind you Jim.

I guess my real point is, in this hobby what can go wrong will go wrong at some point. All we can do is try to be prepared when it does happen. Some of us get luckier than others.

Heres to nobody here on CR ever having a catastrophic failure.:alcohol:

[jimsflies]

I can also appreciate Jims perspective. I know all to well how frustrating it can be when something doesn't work as described, and hope this head ache is behind you Jim.

Even more frustrating is the realization that a $20 maxijet seems to go on forever without all the extra TLC that these pumps apparently require.

[stunreefer]

In all reality most can't afford such a baller set up to have an auto generator kick on during a power outage.
Agreed, me included (plus I rent so...)

Instead most are forced to use the battery back up as a fail safe. And with next to know one in the industry offering a comparable substitute this is the only real option for myself and many others.
-You can make a batt back up for Tunzes with their cable and little (or HUGE) external trickle charging batteries.

-You can have an auto start generator, just for the tank, or for the whole house (much different animals)

-You can have air pumps that turn on automatically when power goes out ()although I would NEVER ;))

Your right... batt back-ups (Tunze or VTs) are the way for us to go really.

Your friends issue does make me curious though. Are examples like this reasons for Ecotech and VT to start making their own battery backup in house now, rather than outsourcing it through IceCap???
Conspiracy? :roll:

In short, yes. Basically Tim told my friend that if he was using the "new" back-ups this would've never happened... uh, right :duh: We basically determined the back-ups were fine, it was the props that failed to spin again. Plus what the **** kind of an answer is that!?!

As far as the stated issue with re start. Like I said above Murphy's Law applies to just about every aspect of this hobby.
Sure, but five of them? I dunno, just makes me cringe.

Honestly I shared this because I was a big time truster (and used to use them) of Ecotech and praised their back-up... no mas amigo!

Even more frustrating is the realization that a $20 maxijet seems to go on forever without all the extra TLC that these pumps apparently require.
After selling my big boy pumps when I broke down the AGE I've been using good ole' Maxis again, LOL... for now at least ;)

[pjr]

As much as I hate to admit it, the darn Tunze streams are hard to beat. Ultra reliable, great service, low energy usage, and stay where they are put once you add the magnet. I have used the 6060, 6080, and now a 6100 and they run very well... and with minimal attention.

[jimsflies]

Well...I sent my MP-20 in again, they sent a brand new one back....just got it today. I ended up making a deal with EcoTech and am sending it back in again for a new MP-10 with the new wireless ecosmart driver and a spare wet side. Hopefully I have better luck with the newest version of their pumps. The MP-10 should rock (if it runs) in my new biocube.

[Bella127]

Well, swallow ...big gulp... One of my wet sides just took a turn for the worse. I am getting a stall condition on my controller. Took apart pump and can't find any obvious signs of wear.I will have to get a hold of ecotech.

[jimsflies]

How old are your's Pete?

I feel like when they start to stall it ends up putting more wear on the dry side (prior to stall...hence the reason for the stall condition). I think mine had worn out parts on the dry side.

[Bella127]

Just over a year. So I should send the whole unit in for service, not just the wetside Jim?

[jimsflies]

You should call their customer service. They will likely start you with a new wet side shaft.

[handlevandal]

I had a really bad start with my MP40, but once I contacted Vortech and they replaced the two I'd been sold that fell apart after a few days of running at a very slow speed with one of the newer models with the upgraded wet side. Evidently there were issues with the MP40's that were built early on but the wet side has been improved since. I've had it working fine in my 75G at about 1/3 the speed it can run at, but I did add a K2 at the back of the tank since the overflow was blocking the movement and I needed a bit more at the back behind the rocks to keep the sand clean.

I take the wet side apart every two months or so and soak it in vinegar and let it dry and then put it back together. So far, so good and the flow is awesome.

Another thing I noticed when figuring out where to place it was that if I had it too high in the tank I was topping off twice as much as usual, so I lowered it about an inch and that stopped it.

[pjr]

just curious if anyone can comment on their repaired/new Vortechs that were recently put in place....

[Bella127]

I agree:angelsad:

[CalmSeasQuest]

just curious if anyone can comment on their repaired/new Vortechs that were recently put in place....

I purchased an MP40w (DT) and MP20 (FT) and the Vortech battery backup about 6 months ago - Both have functioned flawlessly. When the ES driver was released, I upgraded the 40w to a MP40es and used the W driver to upgrade the MP20 to a MP40w (also had to purchase a new power supply.)

I just received the Apex WMX module so I can manage the Vortechs through my controller - Hope to have it installed and configured this weekend.

Personally, I love them. No heat or electricity in the tank, water currents created throughout the entire tank instead a stream blasting a specific area, easy maintenance, great controller...I'll never go back to a conventional pumps again.

[ROGERWILCO357]

I have an mp40 with no issues , an mp 20 no issues both running since late feb. bought an mp10 the button on the controller caved in and wouldn't work but the pump is fine . they replaced the board and all three units are working without issue . love the units no wires in the tank and no extra heat . :smash::smash:

[ROGERWILCO357]

I have two vortech mp40's in my 60 cube. Yes this is way over kill , but I like the alternate flow pattern in anti sync mode. One thing to make sure is to set the magnet to the right glass thickness by rotating to correct thickness. I use mine at 65% in reef crest mode . As where to place them , if you put them too high in the tank you will create a "Tornado effect" and if you place them too low you will have a "blowing substrate effect" and if they are set to maximum power you may have both lol. Just play around with them to find out their potential. Never had a real problem with the mechanics of them , but you will get that "Vortech humm". You can be in another room and hear it but you get used to it. There is no heat issues what so ever . I have heard as of late that the customer service has taken a hit over the last couple months.

When setting it up be sure to have the clips to hold the cord in place just in case the dry side decides to come off the magnet. If it is not set properly, it will vibrate violently and automatically shut off once plugged in and possibly come crashing to floor. Guilty of doing that more than once .lol

These are nice pumps but with everything they have to be maintained .I give my "wet side" a vinegar bath at least every other month. Try not to take the wet side assy apart if you do not have too . You can take off the guard to scrub everything , but once you start taking apart the impeller and guts you will be asking for trouble. Good luck and enjoy your MP40w

I wonder if alot of people are using the spacer correctly if not that would cause alot of issues with them working and not working correctly since i hear alot of the problems stem from the mp-40 and that is the only one that has the pin spacer?

[ReeferRob]

I wonder if alot of people are using the spacer correctly if not that would cause alot of issues with them working and not working correctly since i hear alot of the problems stem from the mp-40 and that is the only one that has the pin spacer?

LOL, Im running my 40 with a cardboard spacer right now.:thumbs_down:

[pjr]

I used packs of post it notes and then kitchen scrub pads. The pads worked better!