Is it true that Vortech can damage your tank and eventually break it?

Bergenholtz · 05/27/2014, 12:46 AM

I was googling and getting some infos on forums about what modes to set in my sps only tank and a lot of people suggested using ntm.

So, I googled more about ntm and few people were saying it can be very harmful to a tank since it moves water significant amount and it would weaken the glasses.

Is this true?

toky916 · 05/27/2014, 03:11 AM

I think you would be fine.

ca1ore · 05/27/2014, 06:49 AM

This was one of those urban myths that was popular for a while, though I never actually heard of anyone having a tank fail due to the power-head (though I suppose it is difficult to know for sure what causes tank failures). I suppose under certain circumstances, the slopping back and forth of water in the tank could put extra stress on the seams and cause them to fail .... but I would think there would have to be an underlying problem to begin with.

shaginwagon13 · 05/27/2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

The slopping back and forth of water in the tank could put extra stress on the seams and cause them to fail .... but I would think there would have to be an underlying problem to begin with.

I would agree that this is probability the only real cause for concern. Most tanks have bracing on the top and bottom also, so this doesn't seem to be a huge concern either.

Bergenholtz · 05/27/2014, 11:09 AM

Thanks guys! I set my vortech on ntm. love this setting since it uses pretty much all the variations! =)

MikeC120 · 05/27/2014, 11:13 AM

Just haters looking to stir the pot.

You will be fine.

Donkeykong · 05/27/2014, 11:58 AM

I would not think it would effect the glass but if anything the silicone seems. But have not heard of anybody blowing a seem as a direct result of running wave makes. I would think if this was a growing concern that some of the tank makers would be putting this on there warranty voiders.

Allmost · 05/27/2014, 12:05 PM

well ... any wave maker is the same, and they all have a disclaimer that wave will shorten the life of the tank and stand.

Id be more worried about the stand being able to take the back and forth motion and not warp.

Buzz1329 · 05/27/2014, 05:31 PM

Don't know, But after three years of an MP40 in my 75, I've had no issues.

ReachTheSky · 05/27/2014, 05:43 PM

I've had a Glass Cages tank (widely regarded as having a low standard of build quality) with low iron glass on all sides (weaker than standard glass) and put two MP-40s in it on full blast. Ran that way for years with no problems. If that thing didn't break, nothing will. lol

I agree, it's just an urban myth. As long as the tank is on a leveled floor, the likeliest thing to ever break it is a strong impact on the glass itself.

spoon671 · 05/27/2014, 06:23 PM

MP10 @ 30-50% on IM Nuvo 16. All good.

AcroporAddict · 05/27/2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allmost

well ... any wave maker is the same, and they all have a disclaimer that wave will shorten the life of the tank and stand.

Id be more worried about the stand being able to take the back and forth motion and not warp.

+1 to the above. Vortech pumps have that disclaimer in their Owners Manual.

That being said, I have six MP60s on my 465 and they run exclusively in NTM, and after two years, no problems.

Whistl3r · 05/27/2014, 09:00 PM

I guess it all depends on how big a wave your making! lol

albano · 05/27/2014, 09:18 PM

IMO waves, especially large waves are not a good idea...
Also after a little more than a yr of MP60 use on my 450g DT, the pump got hot enough to put a blemish on my acrylic panel...got rid of them!

madadi · 05/27/2014, 09:27 PM

I wouldn't worry with glass. in some instances they can heat up and weaken/soften ACRYLIC but super rare. Make sure they are matched up inside and out so they don't cause extra friction.

Worom · 05/31/2014, 03:13 PM

Ecotech does disclose they will not be liable for damage due to WG. I beleive its no greater risk than any other Wavemaker. If any negative impact occurs it would be the seams. They all have similar disclosures.

05/27/2014, 12:46 AM	#1
Bergenholtz Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 169	Is it true that Vortech can damage your tank and eventually break it? I was googling and getting some infos on forums about what modes to set in my sps only tank and a lot of people suggested using ntm. So, I googled more about ntm and few people were saying it can be very harmful to a tank since it moves water significant amount and it would weaken the glasses. Is this true?

05/27/2014, 06:49 AM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	This was one of those urban myths that was popular for a while, though I never actually heard of anyone having a tank fail due to the power-head (though I suppose it is difficult to know for sure what causes tank failures). I suppose under certain circumstances, the slopping back and forth of water in the tank could put extra stress on the seams and cause them to fail .... but I would think there would have to be an underlying problem to begin with. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/27/2014, 11:13 AM	#6
MikeC120 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Deer Park NY Posts: 671	Just haters looking to stir the pot. You will be fine. __________________ Water quality, Flow, Lighting, Patience ;) "January 2016 Tank of the Month" Current Tank Info: 140 BB DT ,ATI w/35 settling tank,75 gal DIY sump & 50Gal corner,20 gal sump,15gal settling tank

05/27/2014, 05:31 PM	#9
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Don't know, But after three years of an MP40 in my 75, I've had no issues. __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

05/27/2014, 05:43 PM	#10
ReachTheSky Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 1,114	I've had a Glass Cages tank (widely regarded as having a low standard of build quality) with low iron glass on all sides (weaker than standard glass) and put two MP-40s in it on full blast. Ran that way for years with no problems. If that thing didn't break, nothing will. lol I agree, it's just an urban myth. As long as the tank is on a leveled floor, the likeliest thing to ever break it is a strong impact on the glass itself. __________________ Van Current tank: 7.5g Nano-Reef \| Modified AquaClear50 \| RapidLED Par38 bulb \| 2x Koralia 240gph

05/27/2014, 03:11 AM	#2
toky916 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,794	I think you would be fine.

05/27/2014, 11:09 AM	#5
Bergenholtz Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 169	Thanks guys! I set my vortech on ntm. love this setting since it uses pretty much all the variations! =)

05/27/2014, 11:58 AM	#7
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I would not think it would effect the glass but if anything the silicone seems. But have not heard of anybody blowing a seem as a direct result of running wave makes. I would think if this was a growing concern that some of the tank makers would be putting this on there warranty voiders.

05/27/2014, 12:05 PM	#8
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	well ... any wave maker is the same, and they all have a disclaimer that wave will shorten the life of the tank and stand. Id be more worried about the stand being able to take the back and forth motion and not warp.

05/27/2014, 06:23 PM	#11
spoon671 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The East Bay Posts: 948	MP10 @ 30-50% on IM Nuvo 16. All good. __________________ - Enthusiast, In Transit Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo 16 Mixed Reef

05/27/2014, 09:00 PM	#13
Whistl3r Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Dallas, Ga. Posts: 80	I guess it all depends on how big a wave your making! lol

05/27/2014, 09:18 PM	#14
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	IMO waves, especially large waves are not a good idea... Also after a little more than a yr of MP60 use on my 450g DT, the pump got hot enough to put a blemish on my acrylic panel...got rid of them! __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

05/27/2014, 09:27 PM	#15
madadi ReefOG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Morton grove, IL Posts: 3,976	I wouldn't worry with glass. in some instances they can heat up and weaken/soften ACRYLIC but super rare. Make sure they are matched up inside and out so they don't cause extra friction. __________________ -~adrian~- LETS TRADE YUMAS Current Tank Info: Glass box.

05/31/2014, 03:13 PM	#16
Worom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 15	Ecotech does disclose they will not be liable for damage due to WG. I beleive its no greater risk than any other Wavemaker. If any negative impact occurs it would be the seams. They all have similar disclosures.