Vortech placement

RVANANO · 05/04/2010, 07:07 AM

I set up my 120 a few months ago. I will be adding powerheads soon. I am going to get two MP40's. My question is regarding placement. I see most people put one on each end of the tank. I was thinking of putting them on the back glass in the middle. One just below the overflow box and one about 10-12" below that. In between the two islands.

Anyone try this or both ways? Curious whether it will give me good flow in the middle when they are set to pulse alternately of each other.

Thanks,

Brandon

baondayko · 05/04/2010, 07:19 AM

I would put them on the sides so you can get the full wave effect (wave traveling over longer length). I have only heard people putting them on the back wall when they already have two on the sides.

I have two in my 265 and run no other powerheads. They are awesome!

Toddrtrex · 05/04/2010, 10:48 AM

Heck, keep the 2 40's on the sides and get 1 or 2 10's for the back wall.

RVANANO · 05/04/2010, 10:50 AM

I just don't want to obstruct the sides since they are some of the best viewing angles in the tank

milkman55 · 05/04/2010, 10:59 AM

I have two MP40's on my 120 gal, one on each end. One is high and the other low, but just high enough to not cause a sand storm.

cdeboard · 05/04/2010, 11:08 AM

Yeah I wouldnt put them on the back like that. They suck a ton of water and it will make a massive mess of the sand, or suck up a fish, etc etc... so many bad things about it. One on each end mid tank is what they recommend.

I have been kicking around this idea, and I think you may like it, put them both on one end in sync mode. Would be a masssssive wave though so dont get your floor wet.

baondayko · 05/05/2010, 06:40 AM

Umm...the vortechs aren't strong enough to suck in a healthy fish; unless it is trying to commit suicide. If this was a concern for you, use the foam that comes with the unit to surround the intake. The sand storm is a potential issue.

RVANANO · 05/05/2010, 06:48 AM

I am using special grade sand so hopefully that will help. It will be a while before I can afford them anyway but I like to plan ahead.

kimber45 · 05/06/2010, 06:08 AM

that's my plan on my 50 breeder build also.

i'm going to aquascape something like yours but i plan on running my vortechs more towards the sides about 3/4 up. will also be using special reef grade sand i think i'll be ok.

keep us posted.

05/04/2010, 07:07 AM	#1
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	Vortech placement I set up my 120 a few months ago. I will be adding powerheads soon. I am going to get two MP40's. My question is regarding placement. I see most people put one on each end of the tank. I was thinking of putting them on the back glass in the middle. One just below the overflow box and one about 10-12" below that. In between the two islands. Anyone try this or both ways? Curious whether it will give me good flow in the middle when they are set to pulse alternately of each other. Thanks, Brandon

05/04/2010, 07:19 AM	#2
baondayko Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 368	I would put them on the sides so you can get the full wave effect (wave traveling over longer length). I have only heard people putting them on the back wall when they already have two on the sides. I have two in my 265 and run no other powerheads. They are awesome! __________________ 265 Gallon, 3x400W MH, 2x54W T5, 100 Gallon Rubbermaid Sump, APEX Controller, 2xEcotech MP40WES - tied wirelessly to APEX controller, ASM G2 Skimmer

05/04/2010, 10:48 AM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Heck, keep the 2 40's on the sides and get 1 or 2 10's for the back wall. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/04/2010, 11:08 AM	#6
cdeboard Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grayson, KY Posts: 520	Yeah I wouldnt put them on the back like that. They suck a ton of water and it will make a massive mess of the sand, or suck up a fish, etc etc... so many bad things about it. One on each end mid tank is what they recommend. I have been kicking around this idea, and I think you may like it, put them both on one end in sync mode. Would be a masssssive wave though so dont get your floor wet. __________________ CVRC Current Tank Info: 90g

05/05/2010, 06:40 AM	#7
baondayko Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 368	Umm...the vortechs aren't strong enough to suck in a healthy fish; unless it is trying to commit suicide. If this was a concern for you, use the foam that comes with the unit to surround the intake. The sand storm is a potential issue. __________________ 265 Gallon, 3x400W MH, 2x54W T5, 100 Gallon Rubbermaid Sump, APEX Controller, 2xEcotech MP40WES - tied wirelessly to APEX controller, ASM G2 Skimmer

05/04/2010, 10:50 AM	#4
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	I just don't want to obstruct the sides since they are some of the best viewing angles in the tank

05/04/2010, 10:59 AM	#5
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	I have two MP40's on my 120 gal, one on each end. One is high and the other low, but just high enough to not cause a sand storm.

05/05/2010, 06:48 AM	#8
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	I am using special grade sand so hopefully that will help. It will be a while before I can afford them anyway but I like to plan ahead.

05/06/2010, 06:08 AM	#9
kimber45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 455	that's my plan on my 50 breeder build also. i'm going to aquascape something like yours but i plan on running my vortechs more towards the sides about 3/4 up. will also be using special reef grade sand i think i'll be ok. keep us posted.

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