Vortech Settings and Sand Movement

Johnseye · 03/28/2018, 07:32 PM

I've been struggling to find a setting where my Vortechs don't move sand around. I have a pair of MP60s on either side of the front top and a pair of MP40s on either side of the lower back. Even lowering the MP60s down to 30% results in sand blowing out from the middle towards the sides. I've tried synching and anti-synching.

Has anyone with Vortechs solved this issue and if so what did you do, or what settings did you use? I have a pair of Tunze I could use and angle the pumps up but I'd rather keep using the Vortechs.

tthouston · 03/28/2018, 07:49 PM

I think you say for your 260 gallon tank. right?
I guess your sand is a fine grain, if you get 2mm grain it may get better. You can put one side MP60 and other side MP40 about 1/3 on the top to see how it work, then add some more pump later on on the dead spot.

Johnseye · 03/28/2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tthouston

I think you say for your 260 gallon tank. right?
I guess your sand is a fine grain, if you get 2mm grain it may get better. You can put one side MP60 and other side MP40 about 1/3 on the top to see how it work, then add some more pump later on on the dead spot.

260G yes.
It's currently CaribSea Aragonite Special Grade Reef sand 1.0-2.0mm. I suppose I could go even heavier in the middle.

Not a bad idea to use an MP40 on one side and put it lower. I may try that first.

Thanks

shaginwagon13 · 03/29/2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnseye

260G yes.
It's currently CaribSea Aragonite Special Grade Reef sand 1.0-2.0mm. I suppose I could go even heavier in the middle.

Not a bad idea to use an MP40 on one side and put it lower. I may try that first.

Thanks

I had the same issue as you. I went with Special grade and it still moved around. I am going to go to a larger grain size.

Johnseye · 03/29/2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

I had the same issue as you. I went with Special grade and it still moved around. I am going to go to a larger grain size.

The problem with the Vortechs is you can't change the flow direction as you can with Tunze. So no pointing up of the pump towards the surface. With tanks that have a lot of water volume combined with the fact that we don't want the pump flow to directly hit corals, there's a limited amount of places the pumps can be placed. I want to have a good healthy amount of flow, but the ease in which the sand gets moved by these pumps makes me question whether even a heavier grain sand will help.

I'm wondering if there are optimal flow patterns or hi-low pump placement positions which help reduce sand movement but still allow for good flow.

NO3 · 03/29/2018, 09:31 PM

I put my vortechs about 3in below the waterline on the left and right wall pointing straight at each other so water collides at the middle. I dial the flow down to minimum and up the dial until i see some sand disturbance on the surface of the sand THEN back down one notch. If you are running "tide mide" or" swell mode" account for the highest output during those swells

tkeracer619 · 03/29/2018, 11:32 PM

Most of the sand moves due to the undertow.

tonyreef · 03/29/2018, 11:45 PM

I think you have tune them speed/depth and find the sweet spot

slimfitz · 03/30/2018, 12:47 AM

This drives me nuts also. It keeps pulling the sand from up front right in the middle of my tank

RCS82 · 03/30/2018, 09:23 AM

Replace with larger grain sand, simple. Not the solution you want to hear but then again you are running mp60s. No sense in spending the money on them and then turning them down a bunch. Its why many go bare bottom.

Johnseye · 03/30/2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCS82

Replace with larger grain sand, simple. Not the solution you want to hear but then again you are running mp60s. No sense in spending the money on them and then turning them down a bunch. Its why many go bare bottom.

Yea I may need to add very large grain sand or small rocks. Or use my Tunze pumps instead.

Johnseye · 04/01/2018, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Most of the sand moves due to the undertow.

Now here is an interesting thought. If it is due to the undertow, can it be avoided or can an undertow not be created through settings using Ecosmart?

Navig8tr · 04/02/2018, 07:59 AM

I use Special Grade Reef with Tunze powerheads and had sand clearing but the flow was optimal. I ended up placing calcium reactor coral rubble in the hot spot. The look was surprisingly natural and it also holds a lot of the sand in place if you backfill over it.

03/28/2018, 07:32 PM	#1
Johnseye Reef Addict Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Naperville, IL. Posts: 1,196	Vortech Settings and Sand Movement I've been struggling to find a setting where my Vortechs don't move sand around. I have a pair of MP60s on either side of the front top and a pair of MP40s on either side of the lower back. Even lowering the MP60s down to 30% results in sand blowing out from the middle towards the sides. I've tried synching and anti-synching. Has anyone with Vortechs solved this issue and if so what did you do, or what settings did you use? I have a pair of Tunze I could use and angle the pumps up but I'd rather keep using the Vortechs. __________________ - John New 260g build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2557715 Current Tank Info: 260g reef, Giesemann Spectra MH/T5/Kessil A160, Dastaco CaRx, Vortechs, Lifereef skimmer, Red Dragon 3, Apex, Genesis, Angles, Tang, Trigger, Clowns, Anthias, Wrasses, Cardinals, SPS, LPS

03/29/2018, 11:32 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Most of the sand moves due to the undertow. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/30/2018, 09:23 AM	#10
RCS82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Posts: 273	Replace with larger grain sand, simple. Not the solution you want to hear but then again you are running mp60s. No sense in spending the money on them and then turning them down a bunch. Its why many go bare bottom. __________________ After about a 16 year break from fish keeping, Wow, how things have changed. Current Tank Info: 90g, mixed reef, I hope haha

03/28/2018, 07:49 PM	#2
tthouston Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 128	I think you say for your 260 gallon tank. right? I guess your sand is a fine grain, if you get 2mm grain it may get better. You can put one side MP60 and other side MP40 about 1/3 on the top to see how it work, then add some more pump later on on the dead spot.

03/29/2018, 09:31 PM	#6
NO3 In Memoriam Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 269	I put my vortechs about 3in below the waterline on the left and right wall pointing straight at each other so water collides at the middle. I dial the flow down to minimum and up the dial until i see some sand disturbance on the surface of the sand THEN back down one notch. If you are running "tide mide" or" swell mode" account for the highest output during those swells

03/29/2018, 11:45 PM	#8
tonyreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 106	I think you have tune them speed/depth and find the sweet spot

03/30/2018, 12:47 AM	#9
slimfitz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 68	This drives me nuts also. It keeps pulling the sand from up front right in the middle of my tank

04/02/2018, 07:59 AM	#13
Navig8tr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 70	I use Special Grade Reef with Tunze powerheads and had sand clearing but the flow was optimal. I ended up placing calcium reactor coral rubble in the hot spot. The look was surprisingly natural and it also holds a lot of the sand in place if you backfill over it.