Vortech MP40 vs Tunze Wavebox vs Sea Swirl

[Vinny Tang]

I've been doing some research on these 3 products and looking for some insight.

I'm running a 90g mixed reef with corner overflow (Durso drain).

I was almost set on the Tunze 6206 until I read that if your overflow is in the corner, the water level can shift 2" and cause the overflow to gurgle or just be loud in general. But I heard for pulse/wave action, nothing beats this wavebox. This is the mid-range price between the 3 products at $360.

The Sea Swirl seems like a good alternative, but I would probably still have to run Koralia powerheads, which I'm trying to get away from. Also, because this sit on the outside of the tank, its a bit of an eyesore and from my understanding eliminates the closed loop system? Can someone explain this? This is also the cheapest option at $260.

Then theres the Vortech which I've heard good things about, besides the noise complaints when the unit gears up and down. Does the MP40 create the same waves as a Tunze Wavebox, and will I run into the same problems with the overflow gurgling if the waves dip below the teeth on the overflow?
This option is the most expensive around $500, but I'm willing to pay for the right product.


Please chime in with any info/suggestions

[tkeracer619]

Do you want better flow or just waves?

IME a wavebox is the best at creating waves. It is also huge and an eye sore unless it can be hidden.

Waves will destroy your tank if it wasn't built for them. Your first step is to contact your manufacturer and ask. Your stand must also be built to handle it. After a few years of rocking back and forth once a second it will fatigue.

A sea swirl will not give you waves.

IMO Vortech is the way to go if you are looking for better flow. They have nutrient export mode that will create a wave then switch back to a flow mode to keep the detritus in suspension so more can be sent to the sump.

I can slosh water out of my tank with my vortechs but I only do it to show off... I never actually use it on a regular basis. The corals respond much stronger to lagoon mode for me.

[TreyK]

+1.

[BaronPoudrier]

I have a 110 gal (48"*20*30) with, among my powerhead, an Mp 40. It wont be enough alone to move stuff in you tank. If I had to do it again, I would go for the Tunze solution, wich is more flexible, both in price and in direction of flow, for upgrade, in the end.

I love my Mp 40, but I wish I could by another one to sync it at 400$ max...

[rbredding]

the tunze wavebox will make overflow noise IF you run your overflow water level especially low.. (I run mine about 1/2"-1" below the bottom of the overflow teeth)..

the noise made from a tunze wavemaker is from water falling "in surge" through the overflow teeth and down to the standing water level of the overflow.. (the shorter this distance is, the quieter the system).. THERE'S A VIDEO IN THIS THREAD showing what makes the tunze wavebox "loud"

but to be fair.. ANY wave crashing over that overflow would make noise.. (regardless of whether the Tunze or the Vortech makes the wave)


I can tell you that I've got BOTH Tunze (on my 90 Reef) and Vortech (MP10ES on my Fish Only)

the Tunze are quieter.. especially when the vortech is in any of the oscillating flow modes.. you can DEFINITELY hear the wine of the motor when it's varying high-low-high...

I've set my tunze 6055s up on a controller to produce waves and when they oscillate, they're silent.. (you LITERALLY have to put your ear to the magnet on the outside of the tank to tell whether they're speed is changing)... the wavebox is also SILENT in operation..


personally...

I'm looking to add a wavebox as we speak..

[mil hse]

I run a 3/4" sea-swirl for my return and 2-Mp10's... can't beat the set up... the only time the Vortech's are loud is on pulse mode IMO... might be a little bit loud for a bedroom. But i love this combo. just my $.02

[Vinny Tang]

Does running a sea swirl eliminate the closed loop system?

can someone explain this? and whats the disadvantage

[karsseboom]

sea swirl is not even the same as a vortech pump or tunze. the vortech can make very good waves to, there is a setting on it to make waves. there are also many other settings on it that can do just about whatever you want. imo the is no replacment for a vortech pump and by far better then tunze.

[chadfarmer]

if i could do it again i would use a sea swirl and a few tunzes more random flow

[rbredding]

Tunze NanoWavebox is on the way... when it's setup, I'll let you know exactly how everything is working...

[rbredding]

IT ROCKS.. I wouldn't change a thing...



btw, have y'all noticed that there have been about 15 people selling MP40s over the last week??

[mcarroll]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Waves will destroy your tank if it wasn't built for them. Your first step is to contact your manufacturer and ask. Your stand must also be built to handle it. After a few years of rocking back and forth once a second it will fatigue.

I believe this was the fear when wavemakers hit the scene a few years ago, but do we have any of the people running them posting around here complaining about their tanks breaking? No.

Are there any tank manufacturers who "build their tanks for wavemakers"? Hah..some won't even warrant their tank when it's not on one of their own stands.

Fatigue is worth considering, especially if you're working with a substandard - or already distressed - tank or stand, IME. If you've got a well-made tank and stand on a good foundation, you're not likely to have a problem - just like everyone else.

-Matt

P.S. To the OP: You've asked us to compare three different tools to each other. The Vortech and Tunze Wavebox kinda overlap in that the Vortech can do waves.

To me, the relatively flimsy construction of the Vortech, combined with the wicked-high cost make it a non-starter. A couple of static flow sources like the sea swirl or Tunze stream pumps or Hydor korallia's added to the wavebox would be a good start.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by mcarroll

I believe this was the fear when wavemakers hit the scene a few years ago, but do we have any of the people running them posting around here complaining about their tanks breaking? No.

-Matt

Just because it does not happen every day does not mean it does not happen. You are shifting a good amount of weight around inside a box of glass. The reason people say this is because there are cheaply built tanks out there and tanks that have old tired seals. Adding a wave making device to these tanks are just plain stupid. Is adding a wavemaker to a standard tank a bad idea. Probably not. Is adding a wavemaker to a tank with a crap stand or seams a bad idea. Yes, it probably is.

You will find this "myth" hard to break with a short poll but from an engineering standpoint I can tell you it does effect seams and stands. How much it effects them depends but when you give advice on the net you have to expect people with all types of systems will read it. It might not effect you at all but it might be advice that keeps someone from having a catastrophe.

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by mcarroll

I believe this was the fear when wavemakers hit the scene a few years ago, but do we have any of the people running them posting around here complaining about their tanks breaking? No.

I posted a poll about this very topic...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2010580

[tmc1313]

I run two 1" seaswirls on a closed loop along with two controllable koralia 6's with a wavemaker. I think it's a really good combination with tons of random flow and great circulation. I have a canopy so you don't even see the seaswirls except for the oscillating return that is in the tank itself.