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View Full Version : 90 Gallon Setup - Vortech or Tunze?


MikeAshworth
09-10-2013, 04:54 PM
Hello everyone!

Please bear with me as this is my first post :redface:
I'm new to CanReef and the reefing hobby itself, and am in the process of planning to build my first setup - a 90gallon mixed reef setup (48Lx18Wx24H).:biggrin:

I am currently awaiting the arrival of my new 90Gallon custom rimless tank (can't wait) and am trying to figure out what powerheads to use for flow. My tank is pre drilled for the overflow which is located directly in the middle of the tank (thinking of doing a wall aqauscape to cover most of the overflow).

Originally i was planning on doing a CLS + powerhead combo but then reconsidered and decided to keep it simple and just stick with powerheads. I'm down to choosing either the Vortech Mp40wes(either x1 or x2) or the Tunze Turbelle® nanostream® 6095 (x2 or x3) + controller. I would rather dish out the dough for quality powerheads rather than buy mediocre ones and wish to upgrade two months later..

In order to save money i would like to get things right the first time around, so please help me out!

I like the whole idea of the Mp40's - wireless, amazing overall flow, small footprint/low profile (goes nicely with my rimless tank). In addition, the tank for the time being will be in the basement (as my parents didn't want to reinforce the main floor level:cry:) so noise isn't THAT much of an issue. However, when the time comes to move the tank into my own home, i would definitely want the tank in the living room, so noise could be an issue then.. just crossing my fingers and hoping that by the time i have my own place, there will be a new model out in which ecotech will address the noise issues on their products.

On the other hand, I've read that the Tunze powerheads are just solid pieces of equipment. They are reliable, and get the job done. I know that the tunze powerheads give more of a laminar flow, which is why I'm considering buying more than two powerheads to create more of a random flow pattern (along with the controller).

(I would also like to know what would work best in terms of placement of each of these powerheads)

I am well aware that they're multiple threads of this comparison (between vortech and Tunze) however i couldn't find any out there specifically on which perform better on a 90 gallon setup. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks, Mike :biggrin:

Rice Reef
09-10-2013, 05:02 PM
Welcome to Can Reef and Hope you will be sharing your build over time!
You may also want to consider wp40 and wp25s. It is a blending of the tunze and mp40 but at fraction of the cost. For the price of one mp40 you can get four wp25 or wp40s to run your tank an more! There are several threads on the wp40 and wp25 pumps right now for you to review. Good luck on your build!

MikeAshworth
09-10-2013, 05:08 PM
Welcome to Can Reef and Hope you will be sharing your build over time!
You may also want to consider wp40 and wp25s. It is a blending of the tunze and mp40 but at fraction of the cost. For the price of one mp40 you can get four wp25 or wp40s to run your tank an more! There are several threads on the wp40 and wp25 pumps right now for you to review. Good luck on your build!

Thanks for the welcome and the quick reply! I will definitely be posting my build as soon as i have everything up and running. As of right now, i'm still in the learning stage..:redface:. I will make sure to read up on those pumps later tonight, thanks a lot Rice Reef. :biggrin:

Seriak
09-10-2013, 05:25 PM
Yes I like the sounds of the Jebao WP40 as well, but where can you get them in Canada?

Mandosh
09-10-2013, 05:41 PM
Yes I like the sounds of the Jebao WP40 as well, but where can you get them in Canada?

http://www.reefsupplycanada.com/wp40-wavemaker/

Acrowhora
09-10-2013, 08:07 PM
Jebao is a great alternative to vortech and tunze for a fraction of the cost.

brizzo
09-10-2013, 08:37 PM
I just completed my own research comparing MP10 to Tunze 6055 and what would work best for my tank and existing equipment. I decided to order the Tunze, because it is a premium product, and because I am able to set the direction of the pump, and in my case I would like to attach the pump to the rear overflow wall in my tank which wasn't an option with a Vortech. Going to use my Apex VDM module which I purchased for my new LED lights, so it will be a nice combo!

Go with Tunze and you have a good excuse to order yourself an Apex? :mrgreen:

MikeAshworth
09-10-2013, 09:36 PM
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I checked out the jebao pumps and am not completely sold on them. If I don't side with the mp40's I will be going with Tunze.. However I would like the minimize the amount of powerheads in my tank and I think going with the vortech is my best choice. I also like the fact that they are completely wireless. Is it possible to still have a "clean" looking tank if i were to go with the Tunze?

Reef Supplies
09-10-2013, 11:34 PM
They both have pro's and cons BUT they are both fantastic brands with, more importantly, GREAT warranty and customer service.

Here is my take as a hobbiest…

Vortech

Pros

- No motors in the water (no heat, no electricity)
- Mp40 is a monster at full power. We were getting a nice wave with 1 in a 90G
- Super small foot-print

Cons

- Wet side needs bi weekly / monthly cleaning
- Tends to get noisy if you don't keep it clean
- Wet-side wares out but parts are cheap.

Tunze

Pros

- Set it and forget it. They'll run in mud lol
- New wide flow (6105 and 6095) have a great flow pattern.

Cons

- Larger footprint than the Vortech
- Heat and electricity in the water
- You need the better USB controller or an aquarium controller to take full advantage of it. The base $79 controller is lacking (but its only $79)

Ferrari or Lambo? You will be happy with what ever choice you make.

Borderjumper
09-11-2013, 12:20 AM
I often wonder if the sounds of the MP40s running dont just drive the fish nuts! Stick your ear up to the tank!

I've used both the MO40s and the tunzes. Stuck with the mp's because of the lesser heat issue.. But the tunzes are fool proof!

apexifd
09-11-2013, 12:32 AM
I often wonder if the sounds of the MP40s running dont just drive the fish nuts! Stick your ear up to the tank!

I've used both the MO40s and the tunzes. Stuck with the mp's because of the lesser heat issue.. But the tunzes are fool proof!


IMO, all pump makes noise. submerge pump/power make the noise in the water and we can't hear it, if we do, something is wrong. I turn on my 6105 out of the water, it's a lot louder than my mp40, but it makes a good handheld fan though.

External pump like vortech keeps the heat away from water, but also the noise out of the water.

I personally can't stand having wires going into the display,

MikeAshworth
09-11-2013, 04:02 AM
IMO, all pump makes noise. submerge pump/power make the noise in the water and we can't hear it, if we do, something is wrong. I turn on my 6105 out of the water, it's a lot louder than my mp40, but it makes a good handheld fan though.

External pump like vortech keeps the heat away from water, but also the noise out of the water.

I personally can't stand having wires going into the display,

I can definitely agree with you on the wires, i like a clean looking display.
I'm pretty much committed to the Vortech's at this point.. now I'm wondering if x2Mp40's would be overkill (or necessary for that matter)? I'm planning on doing a mixed reef setup, should i just go with x1Mp40 and x1Mp10?

mike31154
09-11-2013, 01:02 PM
I use 3 x MP40WES on my 77 gallon which is pretty much a mixed reef. The two on the ends of the tank run anti-sync in Tidal Swell mode limited to about 75%-80% power, while the one on the back glass runs at a lower speed set independently since my tank is fairly narrow. Ideally, I'd prefer to have an MP10 on the back glass, but when I was looking for a used one, all I was able to scare up was another MP40. They all enter night mode together. If you are thinking VorTech, then at least two of the wireless models on a tank your size is the way to go.

On a 90 gallon tank it would be difficult to overkill the flow with two MP40 VorTech since they are so very controllable. You can limit the speed to 25% if you wish and at that speed you would probably barely hear them. Where the sound or noise is more prevalent is when they are ramping from a slow speed up to maximum speed quickly, such as in the short pulse mode. That's fine for creating waves & I've tried that mode, but it gets old pretty quick. A random flow setting using the EcoSmart Tidal Swell or original Reefcrest mode is a lot easier on the pumps, ears and IMO does a better job of mimicking an actual reef environment. In TSM, with a push of a button, you can switch to Nutrient Transport Mode which will kick up detritus & other funk you probably didn't know was hiding in the rockwork. I use this mode usually just before a water change. It's a good idea to 'tune' a wave with your pumps when you set them up, this will make NTM most effective. Another advantage of using TSM is that during the cycle, both pumps are rarely running at the maximum 80% setting at the same time & when they are it's only for a short time. The remainder of the cycle has them running at different speeds anywhere from about 25 to 80%, creating a truly random flow environment throughout the tank.

Even if you don't own a VorTech yet, you can download the user manual from their website. Get ready for a fairly long read, but at the end of it, you'll be well informed on the capability of these pumps. Personally I have no idea why anyone would need a separate controller for VorTechs, the controllers that come with them & their ability to communicate with each other pretty much cover any scenario that I can envision.

I have no experience with Tunze but from most of the info found in forums they are also a great product. Not sure they have quite the flexibility in flow options with their controllers as the VorTechs do though.

MikeAshworth
09-11-2013, 03:19 PM
Thanks for your input mike31154, it was quite informative! I have decided to go with the VorTech's. I'm going to start out with x2 Mp40w Es and then later on, when my wallet permits me, pick up an additional Mp10w Es. Once my tank arrives I'll make sure to post a journal so anyone can follow :biggrin:

Ps: mike31154 may i pm you in the future if i have any questions regarding the VorTech's? It seems like you're quite familiar with the product.

mike31154
09-11-2013, 08:31 PM
Thanks for your input mike31154, it was quite informative! I have decided to go with the VorTech's. I'm going to start out with x2 Mp40w Es and then later on, when my wallet permits me, pick up an additional Mp10w Es. Once my tank arrives I'll make sure to post a journal so anyone can follow :biggrin:

Ps: mike31154 may i pm you in the future if i have any questions regarding the VorTech's? It seems like you're quite familiar with the product.

Sure thing, pm away, but also feel free to ask questions in the thread here. That way everyone benefits from the exchange.

I purchased my first MP40 quite some time ago, April 2008 I think, so that's over 5 years of running & it's still going strong. In fact it had the Gen 1 magnet which would start rusting about 6 months after seeing salt water. Needless to say, EcoTech changed that design in a hurry. It also had the original controller, not the newer EcoSmart ones. Other than the new wet side magnet, which EcoTech provided at a bargain price, the ugrade to EcoSmart controller, the only things I've replaced on this old pump are a few wear parts on the wet side, like the ceramic bearing & shaft I think.

After that I kept my eyes peeled on forums & picked up several used MP40s. At one point I had a couple extra & sold them. I was also able to sell the original non EcoSmart controllers. Always a market out there for used VorTech parts. Not sure the same can be said of some other products. Many powerheads are not as easily or cost effectively repaired as the VorTechs. The modular design of the wet side makes it easy. Dry sides seem to run forever IME, but there's definitely a difference in the sound my original one makes compared to some of the newer ones I have. They are a bit quieter, so I'm sure EcoTech is working on that issue. They are certainly well aware of it, they read forums like the rest of us.

All 3 of my currently running pumps have been running without a problem for years now. A while back I replaced some of the wet side wear items on all of them. Kits are available & price is not bad. If you have to buy a complete wet side, that's going to cost a bit more, but so far I've not needed to go that route. As far as cleaning, I've found the less I mess around with them, the better they run. I've never soaked the wet sides in vinegar to clean them. All I do is every few water changes take a toothbrush to the wet side. The key to longevity with these is to really make sure you get them aligned properly. With an ear against the tank as you're tweaking the position of the wet side, it's pretty clear when you've found the sweet spot. To double check alignment, I'll sometimes run them in short pulse mode. The rapid ramping up to full power can also help you determine how well they are aligned, or not.