Is my tank too small for Vortech MP10 wavemaker?

Katarnie · 03/20/2015, 06:59 PM

Hi

I'm in process of setting up new reef tank for eventually sps corals. My tank is a 23g cube, open top with sump with Radion XR15 lights on it and P.S. Currently only have sand and approx. 6Kg of Live Rock using only RO/SW.

There isn't much water flow at all in this tank and I'm looking at the Vortech MP10 because it takes up little room and can be set to different types of water flow to get to all area's of my tank and change if needed. Price tag does not bother me.

My LFS told me the Vortech MP10 is too much for my size tank but I've been searching forums and now looking at its specs, it states it does 10-200+Litres. So I really don't know anymore.. I've bought cheaper wavemakers in past and they have not worked well, if they don't stay on the glass then they blast in one direction.

I'd love some advice from anyone who has this wavemaker or if anyone can tell me if it is too much for my size tank and suggest another one that is better suited.

Thanks

Mike31154 · 03/20/2015, 07:31 PM

I have 3 MP40's in my 75 gallon, no experience with an MP10, but these pumps are so controllable that you should have no trouble dialing it in for a 23 gallon. Best thing would be to see one in action in person. Does your LFS not have any installed & running in their shop? I'd be inclined to go with the manufacturer's specifications rather than an LFS's advice when it comes to this hardware, unless the LFS has direct experience.

ca1ore · 03/20/2015, 08:25 PM

I used the MP10 on my 22 gallon frag tank and it was fine. As prior post notes, it's adjustable.

Katarnie · 03/20/2015, 09:54 PM

My LFS had no MP10's in stock, they have no nano tanks at all they only have very large tanks with high powered Vortech's. So unfortunately can't see one in action but I don't trust or want another dud like the one they pointed me towards which was cheaper but similar to what i've had before. I think I'll buy the mp10 elsewhere and post how I go with it

Thanks!

chicagoreefer20 · 03/20/2015, 10:56 PM

Mp10 would be great plus there is a new quieter version that just came out.

Katarnie · 04/24/2015, 10:07 PM

Update: My vortech mp10 wavemaker finally arrived last week so I wanted to let any future readers know my personal review on it...

Absolutely love it, so worth the money and don't let anyone say it's 'overkill or too much' for a 23g cube reef tank. I'm finding it's lowest setting is not enough flow so I have it turned up and set to different modes to export nutrients etc I have one torch coral in there that is loving it. Before this purchase I'd wasted at least half the price of this wavemaker on garbage cheaper one's that kept falling down off glass or blasted in the one direction. Mp10 is perfect for me is doing it's job and some. Best decision I made buying it, also its the new quieter version to be honest I can't hear it at all, my pump is louder so yeah...very happy

Thank you all for your input!

03/20/2015, 06:59 PM	#1
Katarnie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 90	Is my tank too small for Vortech MP10 wavemaker? Hi I'm in process of setting up new reef tank for eventually sps corals. My tank is a 23g cube, open top with sump with Radion XR15 lights on it and P.S. Currently only have sand and approx. 6Kg of Live Rock using only RO/SW. There isn't much water flow at all in this tank and I'm looking at the Vortech MP10 because it takes up little room and can be set to different types of water flow to get to all area's of my tank and change if needed. Price tag does not bother me. My LFS told me the Vortech MP10 is too much for my size tank but I've been searching forums and now looking at its specs, it states it does 10-200+Litres. So I really don't know anymore.. I've bought cheaper wavemakers in past and they have not worked well, if they don't stay on the glass then they blast in one direction. I'd love some advice from anyone who has this wavemaker or if anyone can tell me if it is too much for my size tank and suggest another one that is better suited. Thanks __________________ Kate < There's always a bigger fish >

03/20/2015, 07:31 PM	#2
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	I have 3 MP40's in my 75 gallon, no experience with an MP10, but these pumps are so controllable that you should have no trouble dialing it in for a 23 gallon. Best thing would be to see one in action in person. Does your LFS not have any installed & running in their shop? I'd be inclined to go with the manufacturer's specifications rather than an LFS's advice when it comes to this hardware, unless the LFS has direct experience. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

03/20/2015, 08:25 PM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I used the MP10 on my 22 gallon frag tank and it was fine. As prior post notes, it's adjustable. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/20/2015, 09:54 PM	#4
Katarnie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 90	My LFS had no MP10's in stock, they have no nano tanks at all they only have very large tanks with high powered Vortech's. So unfortunately can't see one in action but I don't trust or want another dud like the one they pointed me towards which was cheaper but similar to what i've had before. I think I'll buy the mp10 elsewhere and post how I go with it Thanks! __________________ Kate < There's always a bigger fish >

04/24/2015, 10:07 PM	#6
Katarnie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 90	Update: My vortech mp10 wavemaker finally arrived last week so I wanted to let any future readers know my personal review on it... Absolutely love it, so worth the money and don't let anyone say it's 'overkill or too much' for a 23g cube reef tank. I'm finding it's lowest setting is not enough flow so I have it turned up and set to different modes to export nutrients etc I have one torch coral in there that is loving it. Before this purchase I'd wasted at least half the price of this wavemaker on garbage cheaper one's that kept falling down off glass or blasted in the one direction. Mp10 is perfect for me is doing it's job and some. Best decision I made buying it, also its the new quieter version to be honest I can't hear it at all, my pump is louder so yeah...very happy Thank you all for your input! __________________ Kate < There's always a bigger fish >

03/20/2015, 10:56 PM	#5
chicagoreefer20 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Mp10 would be great plus there is a new quieter version that just came out.