Vortech Foam Covers - Who Uses Them

vitodog · 06/14/2011, 08:53 AM

I have two Vortechs (MP10, MP40) running in my 90 gal. I'd like some feedback from other Reef Central, Vortech owners as to whether or not they use the foam covers that come with the Vortechs. Currently, I don't. They just look like they could become a nitrate problem. If you use them, what is your experience with them? Do you favor them? and if not, why? Thank you.

baggedtb · 06/14/2011, 08:59 AM

I used the cover in he beginning but found that it attracted snails and my shrimp to feed off the cover at night as it would act as a filter and while it did not affect my tank parameters it was obviously a nitrate factory. Not only that but the snails would climb all over it and cause it to grind on their shells. Since i removed the cover no snails bother it, plus one less thing to clean.

nanojg · 06/14/2011, 09:18 AM

Wish I did the first few weeks after I got a nice RBTA...RIP

solitude127 · 06/14/2011, 10:35 AM

not I.

vitodog · 06/14/2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baggedtb

I used the cover in he beginning but found that it attracted snails and my shrimp to feed off the cover at night as it would act as a filter and while it did not affect my tank parameters it was obviously a nitrate factory. Not only that but the snails would climb all over it and cause it to grind on their shells. Since i removed the cover no snails bother it, plus one less thing to clean.

Thanks for the response baggedtb. My sentiments exactly. Especially, the "one less thing to clean" part.

vitodog · 06/14/2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanojg

Wish I did the first few weeks after I got a nice RBTA...RIP

Sorry for your loss nanojg. I have a GBTA and "so far" it has not gone near the Vortech. Something to consider though, for sure. Thanks for the response.

vitodog · 06/14/2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

not I.

Thanks for the response solitude127. Short and sweet.

Toddrtrex · 06/14/2011, 01:12 PM

I use them, have been for since I got them (( about a year ago )). I just rinse them out during each water change, doesn't add any time to it. If those little foam covers cause me nitrates during the 7 days b/t me rinsing them out, there is something wrong with my tank.

I do have anemones in my tanks, and while they haven't moved in years I don't want to take a risk of an S. Haddoni nuking my tank because I didn't have the foam cover over the pump.

NYCBOB · 06/14/2011, 02:19 PM

i dont use them. i just dont see how any healthy fish could get stuck on it. i have small fish swim by it all the time.

vitodog · 06/15/2011, 06:18 AM

Thanks everyone for your responses. I can see the pros as well as the cons regarding these covers. All of the responses seem to make perfectly good sense to me. I guess it boils down to individual preferences, tank set-up and what animals are contained therein. Thanks again everyone.

SDguy · 06/15/2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitodog

Thanks everyone for your responses. I can see the pros as well as the cons regarding these covers. All of the responses seem to make perfectly good sense to me. I guess it boils down to individual preferences, tank set-up and what animals are contained therein. Thanks again everyone.

Were you concerned about anything in particular, like an anemone?

nanojg · 06/15/2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCBOB

i dont use them. i just dont see how any healthy fish could get stuck on it. i have small fish swim by it all the time.

I think everyone would agree with that; however, fish are not the only animals that can move in some reef tanks.

vitodog · 06/15/2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDguy

Were you concerned about anything in particular, like an anemone?

Good Morning SDguy. No, not particularly. As I stated earlier, I do have a GBTA, but it pretty much found an area in the tank that it seems to favor (has not moved it quite some time) this is not to say that it won't at some point in time, look for a better area in the tank that is more to its liking, but I am retired and at home most of the day and can check on whats going on in my tank quite frequently during the day (and night actually). I was more concerned with healthy water issues when I posted this thread. Obviously, I will now (having read all responses to my post) be more cognizant of the fact that I have an anemone that will move around in my tank. I appreciate your response, thank you.

Toddrtrex · 06/15/2011, 09:43 AM

IMO/E, if you have an anemone -- and more so when you have a species that naturally splits -- it is a wise move to cover your powerheads, no matter how much you are at home.

vitodog · 06/15/2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

IMO/E, if you have an anemone -- and more so when you have a species that naturally splits -- it is a wise move to cover your powerheads, no matter how much you are at home.

Thank you Toddrtrex. Your suggestion/opinion has given me cause for further consideration and as a result, I have to say that I actually agree with your opinion. The main reason I removed the cover was due to a GHA issue I was battling. It appears (at least for the present) that I'm winning that battle. So, on goes the cover. I would like to pose another question to you, does your Vortech lose some of its power, flow etc..with the cover on? Mine seemed to.

Toddrtrex · 06/15/2011, 01:29 PM

Not that I noticed, but I wasn't paying attention to that either. Though I suppose if I didn't clean them weekly the pumps would lose a bit of flow after a while.

06/14/2011, 08:53 AM	#1
vitodog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 1,226	Vortech Foam Covers - Who Uses Them I have two Vortechs (MP10, MP40) running in my 90 gal. I'd like some feedback from other Reef Central, Vortech owners as to whether or not they use the foam covers that come with the Vortechs. Currently, I don't. They just look like they could become a nitrate problem. If you use them, what is your experience with them? Do you favor them? and if not, why? Thank you.

06/14/2011, 10:35 AM	#4
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	not I. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

06/14/2011, 01:12 PM	#8
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I use them, have been for since I got them (( about a year ago )). I just rinse them out during each water change, doesn't add any time to it. If those little foam covers cause me nitrates during the 7 days b/t me rinsing them out, there is something wrong with my tank. I do have anemones in my tanks, and while they haven't moved in years I don't want to take a risk of an S. Haddoni nuking my tank because I didn't have the foam cover over the pump. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/15/2011, 09:43 AM	#14
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	IMO/E, if you have an anemone -- and more so when you have a species that naturally splits -- it is a wise move to cover your powerheads, no matter how much you are at home. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/15/2011, 01:29 PM	#16
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Not that I noticed, but I wasn't paying attention to that either. Though I suppose if I didn't clean them weekly the pumps would lose a bit of flow after a while. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/14/2011, 08:59 AM	#2
baggedtb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Grafton,OH Posts: 142	I used the cover in he beginning but found that it attracted snails and my shrimp to feed off the cover at night as it would act as a filter and while it did not affect my tank parameters it was obviously a nitrate factory. Not only that but the snails would climb all over it and cause it to grind on their shells. Since i removed the cover no snails bother it, plus one less thing to clean.

06/14/2011, 09:18 AM	#3
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	Wish I did the first few weeks after I got a nice RBTA...RIP

06/14/2011, 02:19 PM	#9
NYCBOB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,768	i dont use them. i just dont see how any healthy fish could get stuck on it. i have small fish swim by it all the time.

06/15/2011, 06:18 AM	#10
vitodog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 1,226	Thanks everyone for your responses. I can see the pros as well as the cons regarding these covers. All of the responses seem to make perfectly good sense to me. I guess it boils down to individual preferences, tank set-up and what animals are contained therein. Thanks again everyone.

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