EcoTech Vortech?

[tufacody]

Originally posted by Anemonebuff
My vortech was broken right out of the box. But, the customer service was phenomenal. I got another and the wet side was bad. Again EcoTech sent me a new one, it has been chugging ever since.

I also had some problems with my Tunze and Roger quickly remedied the problem.

You get what you pay for. I doubt the CS is so great at Korallia or the like. These companies both back their products and bend over backwards to make us happy, that is why we pay so much for them.

This is where you would be wrong. First of all, I have 5 Korallias, and each came out of the box working perfect and each remain perfect almost 2 years in. However, last month during cleaning I broke the little plastic nub on the housing that holds the tip of the impeller in place. I called Korallia and they sent a new housing out immediately at no charge.

You can say why Tunze or Ecotech are functionally better than the Korallia, and I may agree, but don't ever slight their quality. These are very solid powerheads at a great price.

[mcrist]

Nice tank Mike de Leon.

[Mike de Leon]

Originally posted by mcrist
Nice tank Mike de Leon.

Thanks!

Luther, Thanks again!

Man, the Vortec really makes the diff. Just two in there and I am all set...Instead of 12 Koralias like I had before!

[maroun.c]

Would be a very nice idea if people would post a few videos of their tank eith only 1-2 vortechs runnign while mentioning the size of the tank...
So far my Vortech Mp40 creates a wave in my 6 ft long 150 G and that's when it's running alone and at around 70 percent of it's max power. I've seen it rock a 400 G alone on a 400 G Can't post videos till I travel back home.

[kb27973]

Originally posted by maroun.c
Would be a very nice idea if people would post a few videos of their tank eith only 1-2 vortechs runnign while mentioning the size of the tank...
So far my Vortech Mp40 creates a wave in my 6 ft long 150 G and that's when it's running alone and at around 70 percent of it's max power. I've seen it rock a 400 G alone on a 400 G Can't post videos till I travel back home.

This claim seems a little exagerated, especially the one 3000g/hr pump rocking a 400g tank. If you calculate it out it would take that pump around 7min. to pump 400G. I wouldn't call that rocking. I'd like to see the video. You don't work for Vortech do you?

Ken

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally posted by kb27973
You don't work for Vortech do you?

Ken

The way everyone is talking, I question if you all aren't some sort of representative for eco tech . It’s a conspiracy!!

Although my intentions of this thread were to hear people's opinions for my side, instead I got just the opposite

From what I gather it's like owning an exotic car, it's not necessary but in most minds it's worth it. . I almost want to take a harder stance against them solely based on the price… but that’s just my nature… always siding with the minority.

Anyway, I’d like to see some videos too.

[tufacody]

No, I'm with you. The price is ludicrous. When it comes down I'll buy one, but for now my Korallias get the job done and have had zero problems

[Trickman2]

Its a good product and they are expensive, I currently have one MP40w on my 90 gallon, I love it.....I plan to add another down the road, things I like a lot about them, wireless communication, lots of modes, quiet, Moves alot of water with little power. Electricity is a big deal in California, not cheap. Also they have always taken care of me on the product. Customer service is awesome.

[Flatlander]

Originally posted by tufacody
This is where you would be wrong. First of all, I have 5 Korallias, and each came out of the box working perfect and each remain perfect almost 2 years in. However, last month during cleaning I broke the little plastic nub on the housing that holds the tip of the impeller in place. I called Korallia and they sent a new housing out immediately at no charge.

You can say why Tunze or Ecotech are functionally better than the Korallia, and I may agree, but don't ever slight their quality. These are very solid powerheads at a great price.

Agreed. My two Hydor 1200gph pumps are superb pumps, esp. for the price. Just to large for my current tank.

[Bigjohnwoody]

I just bought A mp40w for my 120 build that i will hopefully be setting up soon. (yes I am going to do a build thread) and by reading this I am glad I did. I got mine off of RC brand new from a guy for 360 shipped. It was a lot I thought and my wife was.....lets say a little upset. So my question to all of you with vortechs is how long can I go without buying another one for the other side of the tank. Planning on eventually going full reef. sps. lps, zoos etc. It will be a slow process though. Thanks

[PogoMonogo]

I was with the OP originally. I could never understand the cost and questioned it greatly. I figured the couple of korallia's made great flow for my tank. After much research I bit the bullet and got an MP 40. The difference between the flow really is just not comparable. The growth of my corals in the 3 months of owning it exceed the year's growth without it. After owning the pump for a week, I already for planning for the second. They really are that good.

Like all of the internet, people on these boards are not shy about complaining. The constant praise this pump receives really should be a good indicator for those thinking about purchasing one. I would would mark its price really as the only con this product has.

[kb27973]

Originally posted by Bigjohnwoody
I just bought A mp40w for my 120 build that i will hopefully be setting up soon. (yes I am going to do a build thread) and by reading this I am glad I did. I got mine off of RC brand new from a guy for 360 shipped. It was a lot I thought and my wife was.....lets say a little upset. So my question to all of you with vortechs is how long can I go without buying another one for the other side of the tank. Planning on eventually going full reef. sps. lps, zoos etc. It will be a slow process though. Thanks

While I don't own a Vortech I have the comparable Tunze 6100. I have a 6' long 125 and one by itself is not enough flow for SPS. That's why I questioned the claim above that one Vortech was doing the job. With one in a 6' tank the flow will just reach the other side. If you have a 4' tank you will be in better shape but you will have no turbulence with one especially with the Vortech as it has to point straight ahead. With the Tunze you can bounce off the glass to get a little more random flow. As a matter of fact in my tank I have (2) Tunze 6100's and (2) Tunze 6000's for a total flow rate at 100% of about 9700 g/hr. If I crank them all up to 100% nothing can live in the center of my tank where the flow meets. Blows the flesh completely off and the corals start to grow flat on one side from the water pressure. This may be overkill but one Vortech is certainly underkill. IMO of course.

Ken

[maroun.c]

Originally posted by kb27973
This claim seems a little exagerated, especially the one 3000g/hr pump rocking a 400g tank. If you calculate it out it would take that pump around 7min. to pump 400G. I wouldn't call that rocking. I'd like to see the video. You don't work for Vortech do you?

Ken

Ken check my profile I live accross the globe and theres only 2 vortechs in the whole country (1 had to be shipped here and ended up costing around 620or 680 USD with custome and shipping and mine which I bought on a flight to Cleveland) so If I was working for them I'm doing a really bad job then.
as to the amount of water you mention I believe it's not only about the volume of water you move but about the position on the pump, flow and pulse. I can't achieve the same effect at 100 % anyway no matter how much I play with the pulse. also even when yo uput the pump on 100% on a such quick pulse it doesn't reach the 100% marketed output as the pulse I select is a bit on the quick side...
As said before I'll try to take a video when back and see if I can upload it to photobucket to post.Should be back for one day on Thursday and if I can't manage it then for sure will do it the week after.. I can assure you that corals on the lt lower side of the tank (pump is on Rt upper side) start rocking front and back the second I turn the vortech on. Additional flow in the tank with my CL some times work with the pump and sometimes against it. Maybe with some Tweeking (experimenting with different power and pulse) your Tunze would do the same.

[kb27973]

Hello maroun.c,
Yeah, I've tried a lot of combinations of pulse duration and strength because I was killing coral in the middle of my tank trying to get flow everywhere else in the tank. It's tricky. But what I did notice was the range on the 6100 (3000g/hr like the MP40) was just not strong enough to really move the water at the other end of a 6 foot tank when only one was running. I would like to watch your video and maybe get some ideas. I think Vortech and Tunze are both excellent pumps. I gave serious consideration to the Vortechs because the one thing I don't like about the Tunze is the size in the tank, but I already had 4 Tunze and I couldn't justify throwing them away only to spend another $1600 on new pumps. Maybe someday when I'm filthy, stinking rich.

Off topic here but I answered one of your posts on the Neptune controller. Just to let you know they are coming out with a new model that looks to be pretty cool. Don't know it if will do 220V though.

Ken

[Anemonebuff]

I use a vortech and a tunze. The vortech on full blast is strong and does get to the other end of my 6' tank, as well as create an undertow by the pane it is located on. The tunze I have is 1875 GPH and on full blast it reaches the other end just about the same as the 3000 gph vortech, except that it hits the other end in a more concentrated stream. I did modify the strainer outlet to make a wider flow and it is not so concentrated any more. I cut out the x piece in the out flow tube, drilled holes in the sides and used fishing line to replace it. It has no impact on the flow and keeps the snails/fish out of the impeller chamber.

[Anemonebuff]

Originally posted by maroun.c
Would be a very nice idea if people would post a few videos of their tank eith only 1-2 vortechs runnign while mentioning the size of the tank...
So far my Vortech Mp40 creates a wave in my 6 ft long 150 G and that's when it's running alone and at around 70 percent of it's max power. I've seen it rock a 400 G alone on a 400 G Can't post videos till I travel back home.

When I get my second one set up next week I will try to post my first video.

[maroun.c]

Originally posted by kb27973
Hello maroun.c,
Yeah, I've tried a lot of combinations of pulse duration and strength because I was killing coral in the middle of my tank trying to get flow everywhere else in the tank. It's tricky. But what I did notice was the range on the 6100 (3000g/hr like the MP40) was just not strong enough to really move the water at the other end of a 6 foot tank when only one was running. I would like to watch your video and maybe get some ideas. I think Vortech and Tunze are both excellent pumps. I gave serious consideration to the Vortechs because the one thing I don't like about the Tunze is the size in the tank, but I already had 4 Tunze and I couldn't justify throwing them away only to spend another $1600 on new pumps. Maybe someday when I'm filthy, stinking rich.

Off topic here but I answered one of your posts on the Neptune controller. Just to let you know they are coming out with a new model that looks to be pretty cool. Don't know it if will do 220V though.

Ken

Ken Never suggested that anyone throws their Tunze away. would never do it myself. Tunze is a very solid product which proved itself long before Vortech existed. Maybe their next version would work a bit on widening their flow then a wide flow and the capability to rotate would be tougher to compete with for Vortech...
As for the controller I the newer Aquacontroller will take a few months more to have the 220V available which I don't believe I can wait for. also the Aquacontroller III seems to exceed what I need/wish... it does exist in 220 V but as you must have read I'm struggling to find those X10 around here and even online in any vendor in the states so far...

[kb27973]

Originally posted by Anemonebuff
I use a vortech and a tunze. The vortech on full blast is strong and does get to the other end of my 6' tank, as well as create an undertow by the pane it is located on. The tunze I have is 1875 GPH and on full blast it reaches the other end just about the same as the 3000 gph vortech, except that it hits the other end in a more concentrated stream. I did modify the strainer outlet to make a wider flow and it is not so concentrated any more. I cut out the x piece in the out flow tube, drilled holes in the sides and used fishing line to replace it. It has no impact on the flow and keeps the snails/fish out of the impeller chamber.

Interesting, but makes perfect sense that the plastic X is channeling the water. I may do this so the flow isn't so concentrated. Does it make a big difference?

Ken

[kb27973]

Originally posted by maroun.c
Ken Never suggested that anyone throws their Tunze away. would never do it myself. Tunze is a very solid product which proved itself long before Vortech existed. Maybe their next version would work a bit on widening their flow then a wide flow and the capability to rotate would be tougher to compete with for Vortech...
As for the controller I the newer Aquacontroller will take a few months more to have the 220V available which I don't believe I can wait for. also the Aquacontroller III seems to exceed what I need/wish... it does exist in 220 V but as you must have read I'm struggling to find those X10 around here and even online in any vendor in the states so far...

Well let me know if you are in the market for a used Aquacontroller Pro 3. I think I'm going to get the new controller and will be selling my current unit.

Oooops. Seems I have hijacked this thread. Sorry, back to Vortech pumps.

Ken

[jb61264]

Seems like I see quite a few of the Vortech pumps go up for sale in the used equipment forum...are people buying them because they are "the latest thing" and then once they use them perhaps don't see the ROI and want to get what they can back out of it?

[Lightsluvr]

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
After reading these responses the first thing I think of is that (and please don’t take offense) you guy already drank the purple kool-aid . I’m still outside looking in on this matter. And the pricing just doesn’t make since, it doesn’t add up.

You've obviously done a great deal of research on development, manufacturing, distribution, warranty support and other expenses invlolved in running a niche market corporation.

The simple answer is - if it's so easy, everybody would do it. This company has developed a reputation for quality products which outperform the competition. They make a profit and haven't asked for a government bailout.

I'm happy with my pair of MP40W's.

And I don't care for the taste of purple Koolaid.

JMHO.

LL

[Lightsluvr]

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot

I’d like to see some videos too.

Google Vortech. There are all kinds of videos out there...youtube and other sites... I have seen several linked to threads on RC as well.

LL

[Stripe01]

Originally posted by jb61264
Seems like I see quite a few of the Vortech pumps go up for sale in the used equipment forum...are people buying them because they are "the latest thing" and then once they use them perhaps don't see the ROI and want to get what they can back out of it?

I've noticed that also.

[hellbliss]

the major con about vortechs is its whirling sound. while other powerhead like koralia and tunze is almost silent, vortech makes a whirl...whirl...whirl sound which can be quite irritating. Since its motor is positioned outside the tank it actually makes the sound worse. some might argue that the skimmer sound is louder than a vortech but if ur skimmer is in a cabinet then the vortech is really noisy

[Amoore311]

Seems like I see quite a few of the Vortech pumps go up for sale in the used equipment forum...are people buying them because they are "the latest thing" and then once they use them perhaps don't see the ROI and want to get what they can back out of it?

I think it's more or less people spend money they don't have, we American's specialize in this. Then in a month they are tight for cash and need to sell.




And on the noise:

I have 2 on my 90 Gallon on about 85% capacity. I did pulse mode for a while, then switched to lagoon. Never had any problems at all with noise. The tank is in my living room right behind the couch that faces my flat-screen. If they made any discernible noise I would of gotten rid of them since it would have interfered with my movies and sports watching haha.

A lot of the times they are noisy because they aren't aligned properly.