Vortec vs Tunze

[R3verb]

Hey guys, for $450, who makes the better pump/wavemaker, tunze or echotech? I am looking at getting the MP40 next week but I have heard good things about tunze as well. I really like the look of the MP40 since it's outside of the tank for the most part but I could be persuaded to get the Tunze if there was something that made it a lot better.

 

[Zissou]

Hard to say, I don't have any experience with Tunze but I've *never* heard a bad thing, but with vortechs alignment is crucial or you'll get noise.

I just picked up an MP10 the day before yesterday, and it's virtually silent. I'm not sure where the complaints come from, but it is a smaller pump compared to the mp40, like you're probably looking at. Based on the two days I've had it though, I love it. I like the random modes and the idea that it can sync with the radion leds and have slave pumps assigned to it. The quality is good and I don't expect any issues, and I love that you can get replacement parts for it if it ever breaks. I think the hype is deserved, but some people have set their expectations really high, expecting miracles.

 

[jcegt87]

MP40 is all i mostly hear about , if i could afford em or had a big enough tank id go MPs

 

[little_fish]

I do know that the tunze powerheads really underestimate the actual amount of flow they put out

 

[x19]

They're very different in what they do. The tunze provide one continuous flow of water. The Vortech's use a built in computer to do a variety of flow patterns. Both provide good turbulent flow, but they are very different.

Tunze came under fire a while back for grossly over-estimating their flow rates while Vortech under-reported theirs. See this article: Feature Article: Experimental Comparison of Measured Flow Output of Aquarium Propeller Pumps — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Personally, I like the Vortechs and have an MP40 (I had two MP10s in my old tank) and would like to add a second MP40 at some point. I am also looking at adding a Tunze Nanostream to provide flow behind my rockwork.

To me, the biggest appeal of the Vortech is that there are no ugly electrical cables in your display tank.

 

[x19]

This chart is the summary of the above article:

 

[d2mini]

To me, the biggest appeal of the Vortech is that there are no ugly electrical cables in your display tank.

That and they have such a low profile inside the tank.
The other thing is (and i have not compared this with the new Tunze) they have such a wide flow. They're are gentle, yet they push SOOOO much water. Unlike the narrow streams of Koralia and other Tunze i've had. The controller and programs are great. And you can't beat ecotech customer service, if that means anything to you.

 

[R3verb]

Thanks guys! This just kind of confirms what I have been thinking all along and that is that it looks like the MP40 is the best that money can buy right now. I am hoping that one on the left side of the tank will be able to cover my whole tank. My overflow takes up the entire right side of my tank so I can't stick another vortech pump over on that side of the tank. I thought about maybe putting a koralia over there but the sump return is over there so hopefully it will just work. What do you guys think?

 

[x19]

Thanks guys! This just kind of confirms what I have been thinking all along and that is that it looks like the MP40 is the best that money can buy right now. I am hoping that one on the left side of the tank will be able to cover my whole tank. My overflow takes up the entire right side of my tank so I can't stick another vortech pump over on that side of the tank. I thought about maybe putting a koralia over there but the sump return is over there so hopefully it will just work. What do you guys think?

How long is your tank?

 

[R3verb]

My tank is 48". I figure the part close to the pump will be higher flow and the stuff by the overflow will end up getting a little less.

 

[Northstar24]

With a 4 foot tank you can probably get away with a single MP40, but to really take advantage of the Ecosmart driver, you would want a second MP40 or a MP10 on the other side of the tank

I have a single MP40 right now, and I think with my bonus from last year that I get at the end of this month I will be purchasing a second MP40

 

[x19]

My tank is 48". I figure the part close to the pump will be higher flow and the stuff by the overflow will end up getting a little less.

Yeah, def. I think 48" is the max distance for an MP40. It of course is affected by your rockwork which is why I think I need some sort of supplementary flow on my 36".

 

[R3verb]

So what would you guys recommend for the other side of my tank? Should I just put a koralia there? I could try and build a dry dock like d2mini had on his tank I guess but I don't know that it would work out too well. I am sure it will be a huge improvement over just having the one 1000gph koralia though.

 

[x19]

I would set up your koralia on the overflow side pointed behind your rockwork. This way you can start to get some water rotation going.