Vortech vs tune nano wavebox for 120

[footboard]

Does anyone know where VorTech's are manufactured? It almost seems to be the luck of the draw whether you get one that is somewhat quiet or unreasonably loud. I wonder what their quality control standards are for the bearings they use?

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by pblogic

No offense but it would be nice to get some real data rather than this argument. Are the power heads rated in db?

On the Tunze 6055s:
I borrowed a neighbors sound pressure meter SIMILAR TO THIS ONE (it ranges from 30db-130db) and it did not register any difference (31db - ambient noise in my house) with the powerheads on vs off (at 12" from the magnet).. Tested with all other tank pumps off (skimmer/power filter)..


I haven't borrowed it again and tested since I bought the Vortech..

[karsseboom]

Vortech are loud but by far the best pump in the world...So what do you want a big black box about 8 inches long? That dont do half the stuff and mp40 will do?


The olny reason people by tunze is because there cheaper, if they say different there trying to justify there purchase...lol

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by karsseboom

Vortech are loud but by far the best pump in the world...So what do you want a big black box about 8 inches long? That dont do half the stuff and mp40 will do?


The olny reason people by tunze is because there cheaper, if they say different there trying to justify there purchase...lol

you've OBVIOUSLY never used a tunze controlled powerhead...

you couldnt be more wrong (actually, maybe you can.. I'll check your replies)

using one tunze powerhead, nanowavebox, multicontroller 7096.. you can do every single thing that you can with 1 or 2 Vortech powerheads, but you'll have $200-$300 more in your pocket and it'll be truly silent (not "vortech silent")


by the way, I've got/run both systems on two different tanks..

[karsseboom]

tunze wavebox does not have all the different settings the mp40 does. wireless? bulky? undertow affect?

and what do you mean you check my replies?

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by karsseboom

tunze wavebox does not have all the different settings the mp40 does.

and what do you mean you check my replies?

A tunze wavebox AND a tunze controllable powerhead (with 7096 controller) will do ALL the same modes that a Vortech will do:

*wave simulation
*simulation of tidal currents (wave making WITH current flow)
*building current/flow
*random flow
*feed mode
*includes moonlight (which will simulate moon phases)
*night mode
*storm mode (desedimentation)


actually, it will do more (given the included moon light/lunar cycle)





what i meant is that you still could be more wrong (than your previous post), and I was right.. you just illustrated it...


TUNZE CANNOT do the ES mode, but then again, that mode requires 3 or more vortech controllers (all wireless capable).. and for that, you're looking at nearly/over $1,200



it drives me crazy that the people bashing Tunze & hailing the virtue of Vortech, typically, have never even used a Tunze powerhead.. Tunze is a silent product, it's cheaper, and has more features available than Vortech currently offers with 1 or 2 powerheads...

[karsseboom]

Were just talking about nano wavebox thats it. Not if you added this ot that, Just nano wavebox. So what can the nano wavebox do? by itself?


I like tunze too i think there great i just dont want a big box to kill the clean look of my tank and its not wireless and it dont have all the setting vortech has.


If your comparing a nano wavebox to an mp40 there is not compare IMO.

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by karsseboom

Were just talking about nano wavebox thats it. Not if you added this ot that, Just nano wavebox. So what can the nano wavebox do? by itself?


I like tunze too i think there great i just dont want a big box to kill the clean look of my tank and its not wireless and it dont have all the setting vortech has.


If your comparing a nano wavebox to an mp40 there is not compare IMO.

the wavebox is part of a system... just like the wireless vortech's are part of a system.. (one wireless driver is useless without another)..

I didn't realize we were comparing apples and 65 mustangs.. I thought this thread was intended to compare apples to apples..

by the way.. you can create wave motions and current with just two tunze powerheads, but the wavebox does a better job at it..

jbechel was looking for just waves.. (if that's all he wants, the wavebox does it better than any single vortech powerhead would)..
if he wants a circulation system (ie, multiple vortechs or the tunze system, wavebox/powerheads) then tunze beats vortech there too..

you pick it.. either way, tunze is a cheaper/quieter/lower maintenance solution..

[karsseboom]

ok, but if I or should I say 90% of the people on reef central had the choice of picking an mp40 or a tunze nano wavebox. what would they pick?.most say mp40, i respect your opinion though but if i had to buy one pump i think i would have to buy an mp40.

[Giz007]

I had one vortech it was not loud but you can here it over the tank but i loved it that much i had to get another.
They replace 2 6045 modified
the new one i got is really silent the older one was a little noisier out of the box.
They look great and take up little room

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by karsseboom

ok, but if I or should I say 90% of the people on reef central had the choice of picking an mp40 or a tunze nano wavebox. what would they pick?.most say mp40, i respect your opinion though but if i had to buy one pump i think i would have to buy an mp40.

that's just it...

it's not an opinion.. all I did was accurately represent the facts.. (something that was missing from many other posts in this thread, including yours..)

If someone asks a question, and we fill his head with half truths and propaganda, of course we can influence the decision he makes..


I think that if everyone on the board was given accurate and truthful information, they would choose Tunze. But as with many important decisions people make, they are typically more influenced by public opinion, rather than the facts on the matter.


have fun with your MP's... they're a good set of powerheads.. (I should know, I have an MP10 on one of my tanks and just sold two MP40s purchased for my 90 gallon tank..) When I did the research, and understood the intent behind the different systems and how they were best effective, I decided to do what was best for my setup, which was Tunze..

You're free to make any decision you like for your setup..



My options were:
*spend about $710 for two MPw40ESs.. (I was getting them for about $350/ea, brand new)
*spend $260 for a new Nano Wavebox, since I already had the Tunze 6055s and keep the other $450..


my setup, all included, was:
2X Tunze 6055s @ $410 total (been running on my system for over a year)
1X Tunze Nano Wavebox @ $260
total = $670

all new in box equipment

[Gary Majchrzak]

sold Tunze after going Vortech over a year ago. 220 gallon aquarium.

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

Vortech battery backup

[ANGRY JOHN]

its funny, how heated these debates can get. What should be done is a good ole comparison, like real testing, on the two products. I dont have the funds to to it, but if i did, i would.

[ForSaleByAndy]

I have run both, and I personally prefer the Vortech.
For one, I really don't believe that "waves" need to be created in our little reefs.
I run my MP40s in 100% Reef Crest (yellow) mode. Yes, you can hear them ramp up, but you get used to it. Just set them for night mode when you're normally watching TV or are in bed.

The random alternating currents I have noticed my tank much prefers to the "waves" that a wavebox created. While a wave may look cool if you're LPS intensive, but for SPS, I have noticed better growth and polyp extension with the Vortech.

In addition, I always found that the only way to create a consistent wave was to have to ramp up the pump and the ensuing wave was too fast that what I've seen diving and snorkeling in nature. It almost looked fake to me in my tank and I wanted to keep things as natural as possible.

For me, it's a no-brainer as the extra space saved in tank by the Vortech makes it the clear-cut winner.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by rbredding

I think that if everyone on the board was given accurate and truthful information, they would choose Tunze. But as with many important decisions people make, they are typically more influenced by public opinion, rather than the facts on the matter.

Not likely. Many of us have used both and have decided on vortechs. Some of us have gone to tunze from vortechs. I think if you were to ask people who owned both and switched I think you would find more switching to vortechs. Some of that is obviously going to happen because tunze has been around longer but I won't be going back to tunze any time soon. If I was going to point to two reasons why it would be...

1) no cords in the water.
2) vortechs are easily rebuild able. They sell every component online in their store. If something goes wrong I can order the part instead of shipping the pump back (if under warranty) or throwing it away. The tunze uses a disposable design that is not user serviceable beyond changing out an impeller.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally Posted by ANGRY JOHN

its funny, how heated these debates can get. What should be done is a good ole comparison, like real testing, on the two products. I dont have the funds to to it, but if i did, i would.

You don't need to own both a Tunze and a Vortech at the same time because a side by side comparison isn't even necessary- that's how big a difference there is between the two.

Just ask folks that have experience running both

Tunze makes great products but I'll choose a Vortech every time.

[chadfarmer]

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

You don't need to own both a Tunze and a Vortech at the same time because a side by side comparison isn't even necessary- that's how big a difference there is between the two.

Just ask folks that have experience running both

Tunze makes great products but I'll choose a Vortech every time.

i had tunzes bought vortech and went right back to tunzes (the thing about the vortechs is that i came home from being out of town for the weekend and they fell off and was about a month old)

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm sorry that your Vortech fell off. I believe the instructions with each Vortech unit mention securing the dry side so it cannot drop to the floor.

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

I'm sorry that your Vortech fell off. I believe the instructions with each Vortech unit mention securing the dry side so it cannot drop to the floor.

I think i read that the wet side fell off, the dry side was hanging...

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Not likely. Many of us have used both and have decided on vortechs. Some of us have gone to tunze from vortechs. I think if you were to ask people who owned both and switched I think you would find more switching to vortechs. Some of that is obviously going to happen because tunze has been around longer but I won't be going back to tunze any time soon. If I was going to point to two reasons why it would be...

1) no cords in the water.
2) vortechs are easily rebuild able. They sell every component online in their store. If something goes wrong I can order the part instead of shipping the pump back (if under warranty) or throwing it away. The tunze uses a disposable design that is not user serviceable beyond changing out an impeller.

I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about.. you can buy replacement powerheads.. depending on model $20-$170..

I'm sure if a system isn't quiet to begin with, adding a couple whirling motors on the exterior of a display is no big deal..

my loudest tank in the house, is running an MP10ES..

[karsseboom]

Originally Posted by rbredding

I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about.. you can buy replacement powerheads.. depending on model $20-$170..

I'm sure if a system isn't quiet to begin with, adding a couple whirling motors on the exterior of a display is no big deal..

my loudest tank in the house, is running an MP10ES..

Are they running at 100%? dont run them at 100% and there not loud.

[rbredding]

Originally Posted by karsseboom

Are they running at 100%? dont run them at 100% and there not loud.

so.. their maximum flow shouldnt be used?? HAHAHA... thank you for illustrating my point..


they're loud when in desedimentation mode, they're loud in wave mode, they're loud in random mode..

any time the speed of the propeller changes, you can hear it.. and typically it's in a rhythmical pattern not unlike someone tapping their finger on the counter..


if you want to hear a constant tapping (or clicking, or however you want to describe it).. get a Vortech.. because that's what they sound like in any mode that's not a constant speed or a slow ramp up..

and if you've got 3/4/5 or more of them.. you just hear it more..

[drukkosz]

Originally Posted by rbredding

so.. their maximum flow shouldnt be used?? HAHAHA... thank you for illustrating my point..


they're loud when in desedimentation mode, they're loud in wave mode, they're loud in random mode..

any time the speed of the propeller changes, you can hear it.. and typically it's in a rhythmical pattern not unlike someone tapping their finger on the counter..


if you want to hear a constant tapping (or clicking, or however you want to describe it).. get a Vortech.. because that's what they sound like in any mode that's not a constant speed or a slow ramp up..

and if you've got 3/4/5 or more of them.. you just hear it more..

I will have to agree with rbredding. I just upgraded form 55g to 90 and have 2 MP10w in it now. It’s the loudest piece of equipment in my tank and honesty I cant stand it. I emailed them and they even sent me two replacement dry sides but it didn’t really help. They are running on about 80% of power. I bought a tunze 6206 yesterday and will be delivered today, cant wait. I will run wavebox and turn MP10s to 50 just to minimize the noise.

BTW where did you get 6206 for $260?? i paid $315

[cobra9]

Fact is, if you want waves nothing beats a wave box. Vortech's can simulate a wave pretty well but why spend more money for just wave effect unless your limited space..

I think waves effect is over rated and turbulent random flow is better so if that is the case It costs the same almost between tunze plus controller or vortech. Both are great. If you want a broader flow pattern vortechs are better. If you want aim-able flow tunzes are better.

If you want a silent tank tunzes are what you want. I cant hear my vortechs over the cooling fans or the TV or any game I might play on my computer but you can hear them if the room is quiet.

I have owned both and both have there uses. Anyone bashing either is biased, or just wrong.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally Posted by rbredding

I think i read that the wet side fell off, the dry side was hanging...

interesting. If this is the case I'd like to hear all the details