need help w/ vortech

I have a 75 gallon tank. I am having trouble deciding between 1 mp40w ES or 2 mp10w ES pumps. I believe 1 mp40 would be enough for my tank. Especially if I leave 2 of my koralias in the rocks on. Any thoughts?

 

I'd go with the one MP40, or do two MP20s. I don't think two MP10s would be enough, but that's just my opinion. I have one MP40 in my 90 (along with a K4) and the MP40 moves the water really well.

 

I would like to do 2 mp20s, but I can't bring myself to pay 600 for 2 pumps. I think I will go w/ the mp40w ES. I would love to have more than one to take advantage of all the features, but cost is a concern.

 

Ahh yes, that's what I did. I have one for now, and will get another MP40 in a bit. I want two that work together too. So I say get one MP40 and keep your other koralias for awhile until you can get another MP!

 

That is what I will do. How powerful, force wise, is the pump? I want to put it about 3"-4" above the middle of the right side of my tank. I do have some LPS corals in that area and don't want the flesh blown off of them. Does your mp40 make a nice undertow in your tank?

 

The reason many use the Vortechs is because of their variable modes where the pump is never on full blast for any sustained period. It does have the ability to be just "on," however. On full strength, its effects will be rather drastic on the opposite end of a 4' tank. It makes a fine undertow indeed.

If you're looking for that type of ability (which I think you're not), a Koralia Evo 1400 would have similar power for about 75% less money. If you're looking for more natural water movement, I'd agree with Kacy and either get one MP40 now with plans of another later on (but that's $800 for two pumps), or two MP 20's. I didn't note what size tank you have, but 2 MP 10's on synch mode with perhaps a K 2 or 3 would be a dynamite combo IMO.

Whatever you do, good luck!

 

It creates an awesome undertow. One of my favorite things about the pump. I have a lot of LPS down lower in my tank, and they get the perfect amount of flow from the under tow. I have my MP40 on the right side of my tank, about two inches or so from the middle of the tank. I have mine set on reef crest mode, so it varies currents between super strong, medium and low. When it blasts, it blasts! But doesn't last that long. I have SPS in front of it and they are fine, obviously. I haven't had it blow the flesh off anything, and in fact my clam is in front of it, weird I know, but he LOVES it there, and he is fine.

Now I'm rambling...lol...hmm...anyways, you can adjust the flow so that it is enough for your SPS, but not damaging your other coral.

 

One MP40 in my 90g was good. Went with 2 just to have all the features of sync... but it is not necessary.

The Vortech does nothing special to create an undertow. I mean there is nothing in the design that does this. It's just that it flows so much water up top where most place it that the water has to circulate/return somehow... across the bottom of the tank is least resistance.

There is a shield the keeps the pump from creating a vortex up top close to the surface. If you place the pump a little lower and put the shield to the bottom of the tank the under tow is reduced a lot.

I finally took my tank down and my two MP40s are available now. PM me if you are interested. Two MP40s and a spare new wet side. Perhaps we can swing two for you any way. If you get two MP40s in your 75g then you will only run them 50% power, but you can sync them.

 

I mainly want it for a more natural flow within the tank and the undertow it creates. I feel this will do a Better job with water movement and keeping the substrate/rockwork cleaner. I am running 2 K1s, 1 Knano 240, and 1 k evo 1400. I get good flow, but it just isn't what I want.

Does the night mode automatically go in to effect when lights go out or do I need to do that manually? I would love to make a low and high tide cycle within the tank.

 

night mode is 40% of daytime mode and goes for 10 hours. You set the time. The new ES drivers have a better night mode of you being able to use what mode you want when you want it.

Did you get a Apex... with that and the WXM module the sky is the limit to what you can do with vortechs and the new ES module is sort of pointless.