Vortech mp40wQD or Neptune Apex?

RussellHill · 01/24/2016, 03:46 PM

Wife has allowed me to spend $700- I have 125g with 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 1150 facing each other and 2 Hydor 3rd gen 1950 on the back wall. Trying to decide between a Neptune Apex system or 2 Vortech mp40wQD. I know they are different items but which would you choose? Can't make up my mind...

Thank you

scott11 · 01/24/2016, 05:00 PM

Buy used and you can get an apex maybe 1 qd or 2 older models. Both choices are great upgrades for your system

JVD BVI · 01/24/2016, 05:11 PM

Go with the flow.

Sapelo · 01/24/2016, 05:15 PM

Apex.
Will make using that Vortech much easier later!

mikeatjac · 01/24/2016, 05:22 PM

Look back to a thread from this morning answering the same question.

spifftempo · 01/25/2016, 05:56 AM

MP40QDs = $700

WAV = $500
ApexJr = $240
Total: $740

Why not get flow and a controller for almost the same price as the QDs?

McPuff · 01/25/2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spifftempo

MP40QDs = $700

WAV = $500
ApexJr = $240
Total: $740

Why not get flow and a controller for almost the same price as the QDs?

Agree! But you'll need a VDM as well if you do with the Apex Jr.

spifftempo · 01/25/2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPuff

Agree! But you'll need a VDM as well if you do with the Apex Jr.

No from what I understand the WAV Starter Kit and Apex Jr will be all you need. The WAV Starter Kit will include the 1LINK, qty 2 WAV pumps, and the power supply. The VDM is for 0-10V applications.

Dmorty217 · 01/25/2016, 09:26 AM

Why not just buy a MP60 and skip the controller and 40s?? The controller base price is $280 then after you add all the stuff you need/want your going to be closer to $550 or more. A MP60 is like having 2 40s on full blast. I guess it really depends on what your trying to do with a controller as to if you need one or not

ca1ore · 01/25/2016, 10:14 AM

Controller is a nice-to-have; proper flow is a must have.

RedStangGA · 01/25/2016, 12:50 PM

Depends on what your ultimate goal is. If you want life easier on you, go Apex and never look back. If you want an immediate upgrade for your tank, go with the MP's.

IME, a controller can do wonders for the enjoyment of the hobby. I'd go Apex first, then upgrade flow later.

And, as others have stated, if you go used you might be able to score both.

boostedvq · 01/25/2016, 04:37 PM

I never thought a controller was necessary until I had an extra $600 burning in my pocket. After buying an apex, I truly believe it is an important part of a successful reef, given what options it provides.

gus6464 · 01/25/2016, 04:44 PM

Well it's not like OP doesnt have flow.

But the Jr suggestion with WAV is a good one. 1link uses aquabus usb to connect so you dont need anything else.

Deahttub · 01/25/2016, 04:48 PM

I say both! I have both and will never reef without them both

Red Reefer · 01/26/2016, 07:02 AM

do the apex controller and wave. once you have a controller you will ask yourself how did I get along without one before?

McPuff · 01/26/2016, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spifftempo

No from what I understand the WAV Starter Kit and Apex Jr will be all you need. The WAV Starter Kit will include the 1LINK, qty 2 WAV pumps, and the power supply. The VDM is for 0-10V applications.

Yup, my bad. I had looked at them a while back... I'd still like to go this route at some point. Those pumps are super strong and in my 120 I could actually run them around 50% and get some awesome flow.

So I still think the Apex Jr with WAV is the way to go.

scar79 · 01/26/2016, 03:23 PM

I would go with the controller all day. You have decent flow and you'll be upgrading to great flow, but the apex system is phenomenal and I couldn't imagine running a tank without one.

solitude127 · 01/26/2016, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spifftempo

MP40QDs = $700

WAV = $500
ApexJr = $240
Total: $740

Why not get flow and a controller for almost the same price as the QDs?

This is a great idea. I 2nd this one.

OP: What are you trying to automate by having a controller?

jayball · 01/26/2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

This is a great idea. I 2nd this one.

OP: What are you trying to automate by having a controller?

That is a great question because the Jr. Is very limiting between the silly bus limit and the lack of built in connections. It could very well suite you but it may not have everything you want in the end.

Upgrade-itis is the most expensive part of the hobby, doing it right once will cost you less in the long run. (In this case the junior may be the right decision, that is up to you)

I guess I can also throw in that I recently upgraded a korilla to a mp-40 and was amazed by the difference. The flow is very broad and it makes a great undertow, so much that I had to move a gonniapora because it was unable to extend. No experience with the WAV though.

dustinkimpel · 01/26/2016, 09:58 PM

Go apex then look at the jebao pumps. Almost the same amount of control for 1/5 the price... Don't look as "advanced" but they are doing an amazing job for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-8-Wav...ebao+wavemaker

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Neptune-...rds=jebao+apex

01/24/2016, 03:46 PM	#1
RussellHill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 104	Vortech mp40wQD or Neptune Apex? Wife has allowed me to spend $700- I have 125g with 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 1150 facing each other and 2 Hydor 3rd gen 1950 on the back wall. Trying to decide between a Neptune Apex system or 2 Vortech mp40wQD. I know they are different items but which would you choose? Can't make up my mind... Thank you

01/25/2016, 09:26 AM	#9
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Why not just buy a MP60 and skip the controller and 40s?? The controller base price is $280 then after you add all the stuff you need/want your going to be closer to $550 or more. A MP60 is like having 2 40s on full blast. I guess it really depends on what your trying to do with a controller as to if you need one or not __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

01/25/2016, 10:14 AM	#10
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Controller is a nice-to-have; proper flow is a must have. __________________ 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

01/25/2016, 12:50 PM	#11
RedStangGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 1,052	Depends on what your ultimate goal is. If you want life easier on you, go Apex and never look back. If you want an immediate upgrade for your tank, go with the MP's. IME, a controller can do wonders for the enjoyment of the hobby. I'd go Apex first, then upgrade flow later. And, as others have stated, if you go used you might be able to score both. __________________ Marineland 220, Marineland 60 Cube

01/24/2016, 05:00 PM	#2
scott11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 1,960	Buy used and you can get an apex maybe 1 qd or 2 older models. Both choices are great upgrades for your system

01/24/2016, 05:11 PM	#3
JVD BVI Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Land O Lakes Posts: 393	Go with the flow.

01/24/2016, 05:15 PM	#4
Sapelo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: North Georgia Posts: 869	Apex. Will make using that Vortech much easier later!

01/24/2016, 05:22 PM	#5
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	Look back to a thread from this morning answering the same question.

01/25/2016, 05:56 AM	#6
spifftempo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 65	MP40QDs = $700 WAV = $500 ApexJr = $240 Total: $740 Why not get flow and a controller for almost the same price as the QDs?

01/25/2016, 04:37 PM	#12
boostedvq Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Cali Posts: 311	I never thought a controller was necessary until I had an extra $600 burning in my pocket. After buying an apex, I truly believe it is an important part of a successful reef, given what options it provides.

01/25/2016, 04:44 PM	#13
gus6464 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,079	Well it's not like OP doesnt have flow. But the Jr suggestion with WAV is a good one. 1link uses aquabus usb to connect so you dont need anything else.

01/25/2016, 04:48 PM	#14
Deahttub Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Longwood,Fl Posts: 171	I say both! I have both and will never reef without them both

01/26/2016, 07:02 AM	#15
Red Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: plant city Posts: 5	do the apex controller and wave. once you have a controller you will ask yourself how did I get along without one before?

01/26/2016, 03:23 PM	#17
scar79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southwestern CT Posts: 534	I would go with the controller all day. You have decent flow and you'll be upgrading to great flow, but the apex system is phenomenal and I couldn't imagine running a tank without one.

01/26/2016, 09:58 PM	#20
dustinkimpel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 342	Go apex then look at the jebao pumps. Almost the same amount of control for 1/5 the price... Don't look as "advanced" but they are doing an amazing job for me. http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-8-Wav...ebao+wavemaker http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Neptune-...rds=jebao+apex