closed loop or vortech pump?

enemec1 · 01/05/2007, 09:34 PM

If you had the option would one go whith a CL or a vortech pump? Just trying to get some info before I jump into a 180 gallon tank.

dogstar74 · 01/05/2007, 09:45 PM

Personally, I can't stand the site of equipment in the tank! But that's just me and to be sure, The vortex have a very small footprint. However, I'd vote for a CL just so I could hide the plumbing. I'd drill the bottom and everything. But that's just my opinion. I've read many people who would choose not to do a CL again if they had the chance. And remember with a 180 gallon, you'll need several vortex pumps to get the kind of flow you'll need. But good luck.

HippieSmell · 01/06/2007, 01:30 AM

I would say vortech for a new setup. I hate drilling, hate noisy pumps, hate the electricity needed for big pumps, and I hate all the work involved to still have tubes everywhere in the tank for the intakes and returns. I'm a hateful person

. My next tank will be all powerheads (maxi-streams on sea-swirls, I have one and it's awesome). JMO.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/06/2007, 01:34 AM

Hippiesmell.....how did you mount it? wanted to do it with a 6060 but i thought wavysea was the only one with a connecter?

drummereef · 01/06/2007, 01:52 AM

Vortech without a doubt.

HippieSmell · 01/06/2007, 01:55 AM

I had to make a connector. A 1 1/2" couple/reducer to 1/2" pvc fits over the swirl thingy. Then the 1/2" pvc tube from the sea swirl to the maxi-stream is simply super glued and zip tied (zip tie doesn't look as bad as it sounds) to the top of the stream. Not the prettiest, but it works. With some more time and desire, a better looking solution could be made, but it ain't broke, so I ain't fixin' it.

bluewhale · 01/06/2007, 02:42 AM

I just installed two Vortechs in my 120 gallon display. Could not be happier with the simplicity.

MiddletonMark · 01/06/2007, 04:43 AM

I too would lean more towards powerheads than the closed loop - much for the same reasons HippieSmell mentioned [large pumps tend to be noisy, tend to add heat to the tank, all that plumbing ... and once you get all the tubes in + out, is there anything less in the tank?]
JMO

enemec1 · 01/06/2007, 08:32 AM

what about the water movement behind the rock work if I use a power head?

loup · 01/06/2007, 09:54 AM

my vote for vortech. have 2 in my 225 and moves the water in a wide pattern.

tkeracer619 · 01/06/2007, 10:49 AM

I vote for CL. A sequence dart moves tones of water and makes almost zero noise. I hate the look of powerheads in the tank.....

Combine with an Oceans Motions for great water movement

sjm817 · 01/06/2007, 10:59 AM

I'd say Tunze. You can control them today. A pair of 6100s and a 7095 multicontroller is an awesome setup.

01/05/2007, 09:34 PM	#1
enemec1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rydal PA Posts: 907	closed loop or vortech pump? If you had the option would one go whith a CL or a vortech pump? Just trying to get some info before I jump into a 180 gallon tank. __________________ Help my wife is going to kill me, I'm spending my sons college funds. Current Tank Info: two 30 gallon cubes

01/05/2007, 09:45 PM	#2
dogstar74 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,152	Personally, I can't stand the site of equipment in the tank! But that's just me and to be sure, The vortex have a very small footprint. However, I'd vote for a CL just so I could hide the plumbing. I'd drill the bottom and everything. But that's just my opinion. I've read many people who would choose not to do a CL again if they had the chance. And remember with a 180 gallon, you'll need several vortex pumps to get the kind of flow you'll need. But good luck. __________________ "If there's nothing wrong with me... then there must be something wrong with the universe!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano with ATS

01/06/2007, 01:30 AM	#3
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	I would say vortech for a new setup. I hate drilling, hate noisy pumps, hate the electricity needed for big pumps, and I hate all the work involved to still have tubes everywhere in the tank for the intakes and returns. I'm a hateful person . My next tank will be all powerheads (maxi-streams on sea-swirls, I have one and it's awesome). JMO. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

01/06/2007, 01:34 AM	#4
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	Hippiesmell.....how did you mount it? wanted to do it with a 6060 but i thought wavysea was the only one with a connecter? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/06/2007, 01:52 AM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Vortech without a doubt. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/06/2007, 01:55 AM	#6
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	I had to make a connector. A 1 1/2" couple/reducer to 1/2" pvc fits over the swirl thingy. Then the 1/2" pvc tube from the sea swirl to the maxi-stream is simply super glued and zip tied (zip tie doesn't look as bad as it sounds) to the top of the stream. Not the prettiest, but it works. With some more time and desire, a better looking solution could be made, but it ain't broke, so I ain't fixin' it. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

01/06/2007, 02:42 AM	#7
bluewhale Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	I just installed two Vortechs in my 120 gallon display. Could not be happier with the simplicity.

01/06/2007, 04:43 AM	#8
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	I too would lean more towards powerheads than the closed loop - much for the same reasons HippieSmell mentioned [large pumps tend to be noisy, tend to add heat to the tank, all that plumbing ... and once you get all the tubes in + out, is there anything less in the tank?] JMO __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

01/06/2007, 08:32 AM	#9
enemec1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rydal PA Posts: 907	what about the water movement behind the rock work if I use a power head? __________________ Help my wife is going to kill me, I'm spending my sons college funds. Current Tank Info: two 30 gallon cubes

01/06/2007, 09:54 AM	#10
loup Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: elk grove, ca Posts: 981	my vote for vortech. have 2 in my 225 and moves the water in a wide pattern. __________________ Lou Fat Fish = Happy Owner Current Tank Info: a nano with fishies ...

01/06/2007, 10:49 AM	#11
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I vote for CL. A sequence dart moves tones of water and makes almost zero noise. I hate the look of powerheads in the tank..... Combine with an Oceans Motions for great water movement __________________ 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. Last edited by tkeracer619; 01/06/2007 at 11:09 AM.

01/06/2007, 10:59 AM	#12
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I'd say Tunze. You can control them today. A pair of 6100s and a 7095 multicontroller is an awesome setup. __________________ - Scott