Vortech vs tune nano wavebox for 120

jbechel · 03/14/2011, 10:08 AM

I was wanting opinions which way to go vortech or tunze wavebox for 120 mixed reef to create a nice wave and gentle flow back and fourth any comments would be great thanks

goofball310 · 03/14/2011, 10:15 AM

Go with the Vortech. The wave box makes a lot of noise from the video's I've seen and seems to be a normal complaint of owners on most of the wavebox threads. You can youtube it and see what I'm talking about.

jbechel · 03/14/2011, 10:40 AM

What size vortech would you suggest I thought about 2 mp20s or 1 mp40 it's the 4ft 120

goofball310 · 03/14/2011, 10:46 AM

MP20's have been discontinued so the only thing you could buy new is a MP40.

USC-fan · 03/14/2011, 11:06 AM

MP40 are louder than a wavebox. If you get a vortech I would not run it in wave mode. way too loud, most run in lagoon mode to cut down on noise.

k.tran · 03/14/2011, 11:08 AM

If what you want is a wave the wavebox would be better. Less noise than mp40's if set right.

davidtsx · 03/14/2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USC-fan

MP40 are louder than a wavebox. If you get a vortech I would not run it in wave mode. way too loud, most run in lagoon mode to cut down on noise.

I think they solved that problem. I have two brand new ones. I had them on my tank for about 3 weeks now. I can't hear them even if I put my ear right next to them.

uhuru · 03/14/2011, 11:11 AM

for "gentle flow back and forth" I would go with a wavebox. You will have to add other pumps for circulation though. IMO its kind of a waste to use the vortech to make waves when they can do so much more. I have both vortechs and a nano wavebox.

USC-fan · 03/14/2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtsx

I think they solved that problem. I have two brand new ones. I had them on my tank for about 3 weeks now. I can't hear them even if I put my ear right next to them.

I find that hard to believe. You must have a loud tank.

davidtsx · 03/14/2011, 11:48 AM

Super quite. Mine stand and canapy are completely insulated with sound proofing material and the only think outside of the insulated stand and canapy are my vortechs.

rsaha · 03/14/2011, 02:17 PM

I have a nano wavebox on my 120 4 foot tank. Running it lengthwise I can get a wave a little over 1/2 inch in a fairly mature SPS dominated mixed reef - nice gentle swaying. I find it much quieter than MP40s I have heard on other people's tanks. There is a slight click every time the wavebox fires but it is nowhere as loud as the vortechs.

My tank is pretty quiet. I have a BK red dragon for the skimmer and an eheim for the return. Flow is all Tunze.

There was a problem with a missing disk in some waveboxes that shipped that resulted in a longer throw when the pump fired. The longer throw resulted in a pretty loud click. Tunze fixed this problem as I understand it.

MelloW33 · 03/14/2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtsx

I think they solved that problem. I have two brand new ones. I had them on my tank for about 3 weeks now. I can't hear them even if I put my ear right next to them.

I have to agree, I have a new one and it is absolutely quiet. My Koralia that it replaced was louder.

AM916 · 03/14/2011, 02:43 PM

I have 2 mp10s and 2 mp40s, all new within the last 2 months, es versions. They very loud when in any wave mode, ecosmart modes are extremely loud. I am looking at a nona wavebox next. Although noise is not too big of a concern, the humming is annoying at times.

chadfarmer · 03/14/2011, 08:01 PM

i had a nano wave box on the back glass of my 120 and had a double wave

Gary Majchrzak · 03/14/2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbechel

I was wanting opinions which way to go vortech or tunze wavebox for 120 mixed reef to create a nice wave and gentle flow back and fourth any comments would be great thanks

seek to create a gyre- not waves.

Vortech is the choice.

Will Haider · 03/14/2011, 08:04 PM

I like vortechs probably because I have one

rbredding · 04/23/2011, 09:43 PM

I have both tunze and vortech powerheads...

anyone who tells you vortechs are silent is painting a rosy picture.. they are NOT.. I've got them on a fish only tank and anything over about 50% strength is easy to hear from across the room.. if they're on lagoon or wave making mode.. you can especially hear the unit ramp up, then slow down.. the pattern is unmistakable..

the tunze 6055s that I run, however ARE.... I have them set up to oscillate (alternately) and they create a mini wave in my tank by their selves.. they are silent, and I don't mean really quiet but if you're listening to them, you can hear them.. I mean the only way you can even tell they're on is to stick your ear on the outside magnet.. then you can hear them ramp up/ramp down...

I think that Vortechs are hot right now, because they are new.... so I think a lot of people are drinking the Koolaid where Vortech's are concerned.. but they are GOOD powerheads.. and they have great control features..

but having both... I prefer the Tunze (matter of fact, I just bought a nano wavebox to add to my Reef system.. can't wait till it arrives)

SoLiD · 04/23/2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofball310

Go with the Vortech. The wave box makes a lot of noise from the video's I've seen and seems to be a normal complaint of owners on most of the wavebox threads. You can youtube it and see what I'm talking about.

??? Um What??? You obviously have never owned one. Readers Disregard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by USC-fan

MP40 are louder than a wavebox. If you get a vortech I would not run it in wave mode. way too loud, most run in lagoon mode to cut down on noise.

+1 Votech = Loud but Impressive Flow.... But Definitely Loud!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbredding

I have both tunze and vortech powerheads...

anyone who tells you vortechs are silent is painting a rosy picture.. they are NOT.. I've got them on a fish only tank and anything over about 50% strength is easy to hear from across the room.. if they're on lagoon or wave making mode.. you can especially hear the unit ramp up, then slow down.. the pattern is unmistakable..

the tunze 6055s that I run, however ARE.... I have them set up to oscillate (alternately) and they create a mini wave in my tank by their selves.. they are silent, and I don't mean really quiet but if you're listening to them, you can hear them.. I mean the only way you can even tell they're on is to stick your ear on the outside magnet.. then you can hear them ramp up/ramp down...

I think that Vortechs are hot right now, because they are new.... so I think a lot of people are drinking the Koolaid where Vortech's are concerned.. but they are GOOD powerheads.. and they have great control features..

but having both... I prefer the Tunze (matter of fact, I just bought a nano wavebox to add to my Reef system.. can't wait till it arrives)

+1

Amen Brother!!!

reeferlover · 04/23/2011, 11:42 PM

i have three mp 40s and cant hear them at all unless my ear is on the motor vortech beat a wavebox any day

rbredding · 04/24/2011, 12:38 AM

Koolaid...

SoLiD · 04/24/2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeferlover

i have three mp 40s and cant hear them at all unless my ear is on the motor vortech beat a wavebox any day

Come on guy!!! Your shoveling it pretty deep... They might be silent if using the 3 of them with less than 10% power... But I doubt that too.

pblogic · 04/24/2011, 01:51 AM

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

gatorrx98 · 04/24/2011, 04:21 AM

Just added my first MP40wES and I can tell you that you can clearly hear it in the adjacent family room. In fact, my wife asked my why the aquarium is growling.

That's how she described the sound as the pump ramps.

I will be adding a second one as soon as they are in stock locally. I'm definitely concerned how that will sound. Before anyone says anything, they are in perfect allignment, and the sound is purely the motor. Just think about how much quieter all pumps are when they are submerged. That is the obvious reason why. I did just dump my chiller when I installed my AI Sol Blues last weekend, so I have dramatically lower the sound output of my tank.

Love the controllability of the Vortech!

Dr Colliebreath · 04/24/2011, 07:58 AM

Vortech keeps the noise outside the tank, so it isn't surprising that the animals outside the tank hear more noise than a submerged pump. Next question, do the animals in the tank care about the noise from submerged powerheads?

popper231 · 04/24/2011, 08:55 AM

Those people that claim the Vortech are silent or not as loud, what percentage do you set them and have you try different modes to hear the difference?

thanks.

03/14/2011, 10:08 AM	#1
jbechel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 75	Vortech vs tune nano wavebox for 120 I was wanting opinions which way to go vortech or tunze wavebox for 120 mixed reef to create a nice wave and gentle flow back and fourth any comments would be great thanks

03/14/2011, 11:48 AM	#10
davidtsx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 272	Super quite. Mine stand and canapy are completely insulated with sound proofing material and the only think outside of the insulated stand and canapy are my vortechs. __________________ Let's go Diving. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon Mix reef, SPS and LPS, MRC MR-2 skimmer, BK 250 on my Qt tank, GEO Cal reactor, Apex controller, 2 mp40's, Tunze ATO, and litermeter III for auto water changes.

03/14/2011, 08:01 PM	#14
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	i had a nano wave box on the back glass of my 120 and had a double wave __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

04/23/2011, 09:43 PM	#17
rbredding I HEART BUILD THREADS!!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 337	I have both tunze and vortech powerheads... anyone who tells you vortechs are silent is painting a rosy picture.. they are NOT.. I've got them on a fish only tank and anything over about 50% strength is easy to hear from across the room.. if they're on lagoon or wave making mode.. you can especially hear the unit ramp up, then slow down.. the pattern is unmistakable.. the tunze 6055s that I run, however ARE.... I have them set up to oscillate (alternately) and they create a mini wave in my tank by their selves.. they are silent, and I don't mean really quiet but if you're listening to them, you can hear them.. I mean the only way you can even tell they're on is to stick your ear on the outside magnet.. then you can hear them ramp up/ramp down... I think that Vortechs are hot right now, because they are new.... so I think a lot of people are drinking the Koolaid where Vortech's are concerned.. but they are GOOD powerheads.. and they have great control features.. but having both... I prefer the Tunze (matter of fact, I just bought a nano wavebox to add to my Reef system.. can't wait till it arrives) __________________ There are no stupid questions... especially when I ask them.. Current Tank Info: 90gal Reef & 30L Dwarf Fish Only

04/24/2011, 12:38 AM	#20
rbredding I HEART BUILD THREADS!!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 337	Koolaid... __________________ There are no stupid questions... especially when I ask them.. Current Tank Info: 90gal Reef & 30L Dwarf Fish Only

03/14/2011, 10:15 AM	#2
goofball310 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,002	Go with the Vortech. The wave box makes a lot of noise from the video's I've seen and seems to be a normal complaint of owners on most of the wavebox threads. You can youtube it and see what I'm talking about.

03/14/2011, 10:40 AM	#3
jbechel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 75	What size vortech would you suggest I thought about 2 mp20s or 1 mp40 it's the 4ft 120

03/14/2011, 10:46 AM	#4
goofball310 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,002	MP20's have been discontinued so the only thing you could buy new is a MP40.

03/14/2011, 11:06 AM	#5
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	MP40 are louder than a wavebox. If you get a vortech I would not run it in wave mode. way too loud, most run in lagoon mode to cut down on noise.

03/14/2011, 11:08 AM	#6
k.tran Un-Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 1,227	If what you want is a wave the wavebox would be better. Less noise than mp40's if set right.

03/14/2011, 11:11 AM	#8
uhuru Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,949	for "gentle flow back and forth" I would go with a wavebox. You will have to add other pumps for circulation though. IMO its kind of a waste to use the vortech to make waves when they can do so much more. I have both vortechs and a nano wavebox.

03/14/2011, 02:17 PM	#11
rsaha Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 587	I have a nano wavebox on my 120 4 foot tank. Running it lengthwise I can get a wave a little over 1/2 inch in a fairly mature SPS dominated mixed reef - nice gentle swaying. I find it much quieter than MP40s I have heard on other people's tanks. There is a slight click every time the wavebox fires but it is nowhere as loud as the vortechs. My tank is pretty quiet. I have a BK red dragon for the skimmer and an eheim for the return. Flow is all Tunze. There was a problem with a missing disk in some waveboxes that shipped that resulted in a longer throw when the pump fired. The longer throw resulted in a pretty loud click. Tunze fixed this problem as I understand it.

03/14/2011, 02:43 PM	#13
AM916 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 26	I have 2 mp10s and 2 mp40s, all new within the last 2 months, es versions. They very loud when in any wave mode, ecosmart modes are extremely loud. I am looking at a nona wavebox next. Although noise is not too big of a concern, the humming is annoying at times.

03/14/2011, 08:04 PM	#16
Will Haider Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southlake,TX Posts: 143	I like vortechs probably because I have one

04/23/2011, 11:42 PM	#19
reeferlover Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Urbana, rockford Posts: 647	i have three mp 40s and cant hear them at all unless my ear is on the motor vortech beat a wavebox any day

04/24/2011, 01:51 AM	#22
pblogic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 157	No offense but it would be nice to get some real data rather than this argument. Are the power heads rated in db?

04/24/2011, 04:21 AM	#23
gatorrx98 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 186	Just added my first MP40wES and I can tell you that you can clearly hear it in the adjacent family room. In fact, my wife asked my why the aquarium is growling. That's how she described the sound as the pump ramps. I will be adding a second one as soon as they are in stock locally. I'm definitely concerned how that will sound. Before anyone says anything, they are in perfect allignment, and the sound is purely the motor. Just think about how much quieter all pumps are when they are submerged. That is the obvious reason why. I did just dump my chiller when I installed my AI Sol Blues last weekend, so I have dramatically lower the sound output of my tank. Love the controllability of the Vortech!

04/24/2011, 07:58 AM	#24
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	Vortech keeps the noise outside the tank, so it isn't surprising that the animals outside the tank hear more noise than a submerged pump. Next question, do the animals in the tank care about the noise from submerged powerheads?

04/24/2011, 08:55 AM	#25
popper231 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SJC \ Palo Alto Posts: 676	Those people that claim the Vortech are silent or not as loud, what percentage do you set them and have you try different modes to hear the difference? thanks.

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