Who makes the best powerhead? - Page 2

mfinn · 03/31/2011, 07:26 PM

I think it's a toss up between Tunze and Vortec's

Pallobi · 03/31/2011, 07:36 PM

if its reef, i say vortech, maybe tunze, but thats it... if its fowlr, go hydor, you dont need the specialized flow as much, but you will move some water for sure

ksed · 03/31/2011, 07:38 PM

Tunze

Harry_Y · 03/31/2011, 08:01 PM

I would have to say Tunze

They seem to be the most reliable, and the tunze rep gives fantastic support.

SoLiD · 03/31/2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Tunze or vortech. I prefer Tunze for their silence and known performance/reliability. Yes, either are very expensive, but they are the best performing pimps as far as flow inside the tank.
Tunze 6205s would be best probably.... They are a little cheaper than the mp60 at 500, but you would need a controller for it which runs about 150.

Everyone Raves about the Vortech's because they do include everything you need for one price. But IMHO "Tunze" Is Hands Down The Best Power Head The Average Aquarist Can Buy. All power heads have different advantages and disadvantages. Here are how I compare all the power heads that we have available to us.

Price:
1. Hydor Koralia ~$35-$500+ with Options
2. Tunze Turbelle ~$35-$1000+ with Options
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech ~$185-$2000+ with Options

Noise:
1. Tunze Turbelle - Dead Silent
2. Hydor Koralia - Slient but can rattle at start up.
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech - NOT A SILENT PUMP

Foot Print:
1. Ecotech Marine Vortech - Very Small With All The Models
2. Tunze Turbelle - Small with the Nano Stream Line
3. Hydor Koralia - Big Hunk of Junk In The Trunk

Controller Options:
1. Ecotech Marine Vortech - Eco Smart Controller has so many options.
2. Tunze Turbelle - Tunze Controller is Nice But an Apex or Profilux Controller will Unlock the Full Potential
3. Hydor Koralia - Hydor Wave Maker Is Nice But Lacks Advanced Features

Power Efficiency:
1. Hydor Koralia - ~0.6W-10W
2. Tunze Turbelle - ~4W-65W
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech - ~8W-60W

Just a quick comparison.

BFG · 04/01/2011, 08:10 AM

+1 on Tunze. I was told in this forum that Tunze wavemaker are problem free for the 1st 5 years. Mine been this way for 5 years. Great pump!

t4zalews · 04/01/2011, 08:17 AM

When I upgrade to a 180g...ill use my 2 mp40wes and then get two tunze streams for directional flow. Best of both worlds

mayjong · 04/01/2011, 09:22 AM

i hear of issues with vortech... like what?

BuckeyeTodd · 04/01/2011, 09:28 AM

even if you have an issue, eco tech will take care of you. I accidentally flooded my power supply and controller(my fault) and they replaced both at no charge. I was floored. So if customer support is an issue, eco tech is the best around. If you go tunze route you need to buy whole system. You need a few powerheads, plus controller. I already had a few hydors for directional flow, so I just added a mp40 for the random flow

Doodlebugger · 04/01/2011, 10:28 AM

Will the Hydros and Tunze work with 1/2" glass thickness? I thing I bought one of these years ago and my glass was just too thick to keep it in one place.

James77 · 04/01/2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doodlebugger

Will the Hydros and Tunze work with 1/2" glass thickness? I thing I bought one of these years ago and my glass was just too thick to keep it in one place.

Any Tunze should be able to work through 1/2" glass, the 6105s are up to 3/4", and the 6205 is up to 1" thick.

goofball310 · 04/01/2011, 12:57 PM

What are the dimensions of your 430? If you have room take a look at the Hydro Wizard. 1 Hydro Wizard will replace all the PH in your tank (12,000 gph). replace the ***** with RB

http://************.com/2010/08/09/h...ced-water-jet/

goofball310 · 04/01/2011, 01:18 PM

What options are you putting on a vortech to get it up to $2000? The only option I know for the Vortech is the battery back-up. Also, the cheapest Vortech is around $200-$220 for MP10w.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoLiD

Everyone Raves about the Vortech's because they do include everything you need for one price. But IMHO "Tunze" Is Hands Down The Best Power Head The Average Aquarist Can Buy. All power heads have different advantages and disadvantages. Here are how I compare all the power heads that we have available to us.

Price:
1. Hydor Koralia ~$35-$500+ with Options
2. Tunze Turbelle ~$35-$1000+ with Options
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech ~$185-$2000+ with Options

Noise:
1. Tunze Turbelle - Dead Silent
2. Hydor Koralia - Slient but can rattle at start up.
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech - NOT A SILENT PUMP

Foot Print:
1. Ecotech Marine Vortech - Very Small With All The Models
2. Tunze Turbelle - Small with the Nano Stream Line
3. Hydor Koralia - Big Hunk of Junk In The Trunk

Controller Options:
1. Ecotech Marine Vortech - Eco Smart Controller has so many options.
2. Tunze Turbelle - Tunze Controller is Nice But an Apex or Profilux Controller will Unlock the Full Potential
3. Hydor Koralia - Hydor Wave Maker Is Nice But Lacks Advanced Features

Power Efficiency:
1. Hydor Koralia - ~0.6W-10W
2. Tunze Turbelle - ~4W-65W
3. Ecotech Marine Vortech - ~8W-60W

Just a quick comparison.

tcmfish · 04/01/2011, 02:40 PM

Vortech

SoLiD · 04/01/2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofball310

What options are you putting on a vortech to get it up to $2000? The only option I know for the Vortech is the battery back-up. Also, the cheapest Vortech is around $200-$220 for MP10w.

Low Side: 1 MP10 can be bought with a 10% discount coupon for about $180, usually.

High Side: 3-4 MP60W ES's will put you over the $2000 mark easily.

mfinn · 04/01/2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayjong

i hear of issues with vortech... like what?

Noise was my biggest issue with the MP40ES pair I had.
Once I heard it, I couldn't ignore it and it seemed to get pretty loud.

NyReefNoob · 04/01/2011, 05:24 PM

nothing compares to the flow of the vortech's and controllability, nothing compares to the longivity of tunze

SoLiD · 04/01/2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfinn

Noise was my biggest issue with the MP40ES pair I had.
Once I heard it, I couldn't ignore it and it seemed to get pretty loud.

The sound was a major issue with me too. I could not understand how such an expensive power head could sound so loud. The controller is awesome though...

sasharotty · 04/01/2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

but they are the best performing pimps

watsonj · 04/02/2011, 06:26 AM

I had the Vortech mp40's for 6 months I got tired of the noise and the warts on the outside of the tank. i went to Tunze and what a great move silent, move a ton of water and with the Apex it is a slam dunk for me.

keifer_unit · 04/02/2011, 09:49 PM

Vortech then Tunze then Hydor.

SoLiD · 04/02/2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watsonj

I had the Vortech mp40's for 6 months I got tired of the noise and the warts on the outside of the tank. i went to Tunze and what a great move silent, move a ton of water and with the Apex it is a slam dunk for me.

+1...

Like I said before;The Ecotech EcoStmart is an Awesome Controller, but the best combo would be a Tunze Variable Speed power head coupled with an Apex or Profilux controller. All The Control & Flow along with the Silence!!!

Vipete1985 · 04/03/2011, 12:48 AM

vortech mp40for my 72 just got one n it blows my two koralias outta the water with the things this powerhead can do i am just amazed

RGibson · 04/03/2011, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeldarbj

tunze fan here.

+1

turboadde · 04/03/2011, 05:06 AM

+1 Tunze for silence and reliable and with profilux for great control. Waiting for tunze 6095 that saids to have a 75% larger output diameter for broader flow patterns.

03/31/2011, 07:26 PM	#26
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I think it's a toss up between Tunze and Vortec's __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

03/31/2011, 07:36 PM	#27
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	if its reef, i say vortech, maybe tunze, but thats it... if its fowlr, go hydor, you dont need the specialized flow as much, but you will move some water for sure __________________ Zoas & Palys

03/31/2011, 08:01 PM	#29
Harry_Y Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NY Posts: 454	I would have to say Tunze They seem to be the most reliable, and the tunze rep gives fantastic support. __________________ . 180 Gallon Reef with Basement Sump, Apex Controller, Hamilton Cebu Sun Light, Lifereef Skimmer and Calcium Reactor.

04/01/2011, 08:10 AM	#31
BFG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 700	+1 on Tunze. I was told in this forum that Tunze wavemaker are problem free for the 1st 5 years. Mine been this way for 5 years. Great pump! __________________ If you've learnt, teach. If you have, give.

04/01/2011, 08:17 AM	#32
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	When I upgrade to a 180g...ill use my 2 mp40wes and then get two tunze streams for directional flow. Best of both worlds __________________ - Taylor - 65g - Radion XR30 G3 Pro x2 - Deltec SCA 1351 - APEX - Tunze - Vortech

03/31/2011, 07:38 PM	#28
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	Tunze

04/01/2011, 09:22 AM	#33
mayjong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 2,426	i hear of issues with vortech... like what? __________________ No Tanks... I'm out! still lurking, though...

04/01/2011, 09:28 AM	#34
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	even if you have an issue, eco tech will take care of you. I accidentally flooded my power supply and controller(my fault) and they replaced both at no charge. I was floored. So if customer support is an issue, eco tech is the best around. If you go tunze route you need to buy whole system. You need a few powerheads, plus controller. I already had a few hydors for directional flow, so I just added a mp40 for the random flow __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

04/01/2011, 10:28 AM	#35
Doodlebugger Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alberton Montana Posts: 3	Will the Hydros and Tunze work with 1/2" glass thickness? I thing I bought one of these years ago and my glass was just too thick to keep it in one place.

04/01/2011, 12:57 PM	#37
goofball310 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,002	What are the dimensions of your 430? If you have room take a look at the Hydro Wizard. 1 Hydro Wizard will replace all the PH in your tank (12,000 gph). replace the *** with RB http://*********.com/2010/08/09/h...ced-water-jet/ Last edited by goofball310; 04/01/2011 at 01:19 PM.*

04/01/2011, 02:40 PM	#39
tcmfish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,658	Vortech

04/01/2011, 05:24 PM	#42
NyReefNoob skimmer freak Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: peekskill, ny Posts: 1,209	nothing compares to the flow of the vortech's and controllability, nothing compares to the longivity of tunze __________________ custom 45g cube all in one, ai hydra 26, 2 mp10w, ac jr. ,bubble magnus triple doser, bm nac5 hob skimmer My dad always said the only stupid questions are the ones not asked Current Tank Info: custom 45g cube AIO

04/02/2011, 06:26 AM	#45
watsonj 10 & Over Club Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Minneapolis,mn Posts: 339	I had the Vortech mp40's for 6 months I got tired of the noise and the warts on the outside of the tank. i went to Tunze and what a great move silent, move a ton of water and with the Apex it is a slam dunk for me.

04/02/2011, 09:49 PM	#46
keifer_unit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 37	Vortech then Tunze then Hydor.

04/03/2011, 12:48 AM	#48
Vipete1985 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: LONG ISLAND NY Posts: 83	vortech mp40for my 72 just got one n it blows my two koralias outta the water with the things this powerhead can do i am just amazed __________________ GOd Bless everyone who is on here Helping others out with their tanks and giving ideas and suggestions.....I truly appreciate it and have learned so much from all the helpful people on this forum Current Tank Info: 50 gallon Cube 20 gallon sump...GMP Liverock...Neptune Apex with Neptune Wav pumps...Interested in obviously keeping coral and fish for viewing purposes but my goal is to make these systems as automated as possible

04/03/2011, 05:06 AM	#50
turboadde Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 3	+1 Tunze for silence and reliable and with profilux for great control. Waiting for tunze 6095 that saids to have a 75% larger output diameter for broader flow patterns.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Powerhead Feed Mode Ideas	Khazmodain	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	02/14/2011 06:02 PM
$20 koralia evolution750 powerhead online	reev	Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum	13	12/04/2010 03:05 PM
Powerheads and Heaters : Are they too strong?	desx2501	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	5	11/19/2010 12:05 AM
What powerheads for a 75 gallon softie?	Roblox84	Soft Coral Keepers	10	07/22/2010 02:21 PM