Vortech MP40w to replace existing powerheads

[Treebeard]

I have a typical 90 gallon tank with some LPS and softies. For flow I have a Koralia 3, a Koralia 2, two Maxijet 1200's with rotating Hydor deflectors and a Maxijet 400. My return pump is also flowing about 250 gph through the tank.
Can I replace all or most of the powerheads with a single MP40W?

[blueyota]

to reach all areas of the tank i would say 2 mp40s would work better then one so you have flow from both sides to get hidden detritus ...IMO

[mike31154]

Agree with yota, two MP40Ws will have no trouble replacing all the hardware you have in there now. The added advantage of being able to synchronize or anti-synchronize the two VorTechs will provide flexibility in flow patterns not achievable by what you're currently using.

[Treebeard]

The problem is two MP40Ws will pretty much replace the contents of my bank account, and I would likely also be looking for a replacement significant other. I may have to settle for one MP40W and keep a couple of the old powerheads.

[Leah]

Reid

I have a MP40W on my 95 gal and am still using 3 extra powerheads in there.

[mike31154]

The problem is two MP40Ws will pretty much replace the contents of my bank account, and I would likely also be looking for a replacement significant other. I may have to settle for one MP40W and keep a couple of the old powerheads.

Understood and I'm with you there, price shock for sure. I started with a single MP40W for my 77 gal and added the second about a year later. Purchased the first one retail and then started scouring the buy/sell forums for good deals on used ones. Ended up scoring a NIB on another forum from a member that had a change of plans and was selling a number of extras. Great deal on a new pump.

Even on my 77 (4 foot long tank) I needed to use older powerheads to supplement flow at the other end of the tank. One of your Koralias should do a good job at that, I had to settle for the narrow flow of a couple of AquaClears.

[Treebeard]

I located a used MP40W, about two years old. Does anyone know what the lifespan is of these pumps?

[mike31154]

I located a used MP40W, about two years old. Does anyone know what the lifespan is of these pumps?

My first one is almost two years old and still going strong. It was originally a Gen 1 and I've done the magnet/firmware upgrade... new shaft, bearing etc. If you haven't fired it up, go for it and you'll know fairly quickly whether it needs some service. There is a ceramic bearing which is considered a wear item requiring replacement eventually. Similar to an impeller replacement on conventional powerheads. Other than that, as long as the remaining moving parts and electronics are ticking, it should run relatively trouble free for years to come. Keep the dry side dry and keep the driver away from moisture and you're good to go.

One of the bonuses of these pumps is that many components are easily replaced by you, the user. A new wetside is pretty reasonably priced, so although the initial investment is expensive, these pumps will probably save you money in the long haul.

[Treebeard]

I was asking around at a couple LFS in Calgary and was told that the failure rates of the Vortechs are over 50%. Both guys told me that they no longer sell them because so many were coming back defective in the first few weeks of use. I am not sure who to believe now. The EchoTech Marine forum on RC seems very well supported by president of the company and I don't see a lot of unhappy customers.

[dreef]

I have nothing but good to say about ecotech products and support.Mine's going to be 2 yrs. old in a few months.Zero problems, best money spent,i just ordered another one :)

[mike31154]

I was asking around at a couple LFS in Calgary and was told that the failure rates of the Vortechs are over 50%. Both guys told me that they no longer sell them because so many were coming back defective in the first few weeks of use. I am not sure who to believe now. The EchoTech Marine forum on RC seems very well supported by president of the company and I don't see a lot of unhappy customers.

Wow, 50%, that's definitely not good, but as I said, mine are going strong still after 2+ years. One thing, these are not necessarily simple products to look after. You need to take care and align the wetside properly when setting them up or risk premature motor or bearing failure. It's not like with conventional powerheads where you throw them on the tank, plug them in and forget about them. The dry side needs to stay dry as does the driver/controller. You need to read the instructions well for these things before firing them up.

The company did have a bad batch of bearings go out late last year or early this year and this caused a high failure rate for the MP40 units affected. Don't recall whether it was new units or Gen 2 upgrade kits for those wishing to change out their old magnets/shafts/bearings. EcoTech have been up front about this quality issue and immediately took steps to correct things. From what I've seen on their Forum and from personal experience with a shipping issue which was not entirely their fault, they will take care of any problems you have like no other company I've dealt with. I've rarely seen their president lose patience, even with customers that appeared to be trying to take advantage.

[xtreme]

The guys at the LFS told me the same thing, they were having lots of problems with the vortech pumps. I think part of the reason they talk them down is because they no longer carry Ecotech so they try to push Tunze. It turned me off from buying another MP40 for a while because of what they said but I recently picked up my third one and all three are running fine. My oldest one is nearly 2 years old. I know run three MP40W's and 2 6105's and am very happy with both.

[Treebeard]

Exactly what I was thinking. But as I understand, warranty replacements and repairs are provided by Echotech. Perhaps a dealer must be authorised by EchoTech or the Canadian distributor.

The guys at the LFS told me the same thing, they were having lots of problems with the vortech pumps.