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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:01 PM   #1
ctniners
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Question How to prevent sand issues with Vortech MP40

Hello guys,
I have OOlite caribsea (fine sand) and I have been told that vortechs mp40 create issues with sands, sometimes sand storms and sometimes pulling the sand to the vortech side.....I am getting ready to recieve 2 of them, do you know any tricks or tips on how to prevent any sand issues??


Thanks


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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:11 PM   #2
arredondojason
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put the side with no grates down toward the sand. that should prevent it from pulling toward the vortech. worst comes to worst i would just change the sand the vortechs are worth the trouble.


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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:15 PM   #3
ctniners
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There is no way I would replace about 100 lbs of sand.....I just finished replacing it about a month ago...is all fresh and my dragonet is in heaven eating all the new life coming out of it........but thanks for the grate piece tip....I am going to try it, I should have them by the weekend...also since my tank is only a 75 gal 4 foot long I assume I can run them at 75% or even less each creating less turmoil......right?



Last edited by ctniners; 11/17/2009 at 03:30 PM.
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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:18 PM   #4
arredondojason
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or just add some heavier sand on top of the fine stuff.
do one half let it get setteled and build up some life on the sand. Then do the other half and that should help keep it down.


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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:31 PM   #5
jmoney
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I placed them as high as possible in my tank and it seemed to solve the issue ( I have the same sand as you)


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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:32 PM   #6
ctniners
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jmoney.....how much lower than your overflow?...what setting are you using?


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Unread 11/17/2009, 03:36 PM   #7
jmoney
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I have one on reefcrest in 75gallons approx 3 inches lower than my overflow ...it runs at about 75 percent but even at 100 I don't have a problem with sand


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Unread 11/17/2009, 04:24 PM   #8
am3gross
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2 in a 75 is going to be a massive amount of flow! lets see some pics when you get them installed....

+1 on the heavier sand and just enough to cover the top... and add a little at a time so it will seed with the other sand.


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Unread 11/17/2009, 05:13 PM   #9
ctniners
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Quote:
Originally Posted by am3gross View Post
2 in a 75 is going to be a massive amount of flow!
I hope not.....I have been doing research and in another thread people said that anything 4 feet and larger it is better with 2 of them.....I dont want to have a sand blizzard...!


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Unread 11/17/2009, 05:22 PM   #10
r-balljunkie
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if you put the foam protector on them, that helps a bit.

c


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Unread 11/17/2009, 06:01 PM   #11
powderhound
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i have the same sand in my 75. the vortech will slowly bring some sand to one side, slowly over about a week. i just push it back when i clean the tank and it starts all over again. just weekly mainanence


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Unread 11/17/2009, 06:14 PM   #12
Urchinhead
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there is a blank on a part of the wet side. You will have to move the unit(s) up and down a bit as well as rotate the wet side so the blank is in a position so that there is minimal sand disturbance. Having gone through this myself in my 60 gallon with 2 x MP40w's I found the best placing was about 3" below the water line with the blanks pointed about 10 degrees off directly down at the sand to stop the issue. Initially I used reef crest mode at 100% power but have since switched to short pulse to get a wave going. Both cases it was the same in terms of placement.

...And yes I have ALLOT of flow!


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Unread 11/17/2009, 07:18 PM   #13
uncleof6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctniners View Post
Hello guys,
I have OOlite caribsea (fine sand) and I have been told that vortechs mp40 create issues with sands, sometimes sand storms and sometimes pulling the sand to the vortech side.....I am getting ready to recieve 2 of them, do you know any tricks or tips on how to prevent any sand issues??


Thanks
Put a thin THIN layer of a product like caribsea grand bahamas with a rather large size on top of your sand. This will stop your sand issues.

Jim


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Unread 11/17/2009, 08:04 PM   #14
ctniners
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Thanks guys....Urchinhead...I am kinda of lost with your explanation......I guess it may be because I've never really seen one in person (outside of a tank), but do you have a picture of your set up...or a close up.....I am more of a picture type....lol thanks


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Unread 11/18/2009, 05:17 PM   #15
Urchinhead
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Sorry mate. Not one that would show you what I mean. If you look at the wet side you will see that there is about a 1" portion that doesn't have any openings for water to go in and out of. That is what I mean by a "blank".

When I say 10 degrees off I mean that if we assume that zero (0) degrees is the center point between the two side edges (where the last openings are for water to go in and out of) of the blank is facing directly down at the sand bed rotate the wet side so that blank isn't pointing directly down at the sandbed but is a little bit off from that point.


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Unread 11/18/2009, 07:02 PM   #16
marclwheeler
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ive been told to place it higher and on rock to deflect it a bit


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Unread 11/18/2009, 07:19 PM   #17
ctniners
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Now I get a better idea about what urchinhead meant...thanks....I am going to try that, I have been reading about the actual product and I will either set it up for lagoon or Reef Crest mode.....and no higher than 75% power on each....I dont have any interest on the Pulse (waves) mode.


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