A Newbies review of the Ecotech Vortech MP40w

I wanted a wave maker for my tank and the new tank I am building, got the wife's permission to get a vortech mp40w which after reading and researching other wave makers I was sure that this would not only do the job I wanted on my temp tank and it would be a start for the 150 I am designing.


well I opened the package and unrapped everything and the first thing that caught my eye was damn this is bigger then I figured it would be. Then I looked at the controller for the pump and was very supprised to see that the wire covering was pulled out of the pump exposing the wires that it protects. :-/ you would think for the $400 that we pay for the pump it would be better constructed.

so I read the directions, placed it in my tank, lined it up and turned it on. This is where I get impressed, I turned off the other pumps that were in the tank and just let the MP40w flow. I turned up the throttle and was impressed on how powerfull the pump is. So I started through the modes and the Serge mode was impressive, moved things around in my tank very well. Next was the short pulse mode, this would work better if my rock layout was better but I was able to see a small wave form at the top of the tank and I felt around in the tank and noticed a it moving water. I started to play with the long pulse mode and it was a little better the the short one but I think I need a bigger tank to see the effect of that.
So all around impressed but already I see that I need to get a second one to see what I saw in the youtube vids.

Is it worth the price.... so far yes cause it is going to be replacing 3 pumps that put out the total of what one pump is. Luna I will be posting pictures soon so that you can see how I have it setup, and if I need to change it around to get it to work even better.

now I need to save up for a matching pump....8)

 

Hey buddy, I wouldnt settle with a pump that has wires exposed, esp. after dishing out what you did. Contact the company and explain to them how you received this pump and ask for a replacement. Those exposed wires might bite you in the a$$ later and provide an expensive lesson. I cant wait for some pics to see this "expensive toy" work. Congrats on the new toy.;D Luna

 

I also would Return it for a new one, Exposed wires are scary. Not to mention if you sound really angry they might give you a discount.


Also I demand youtube Videos! Cheers!

 

Here is some photos for you plus my new addition in a shell

 

I was just at MACNA and really had a chance to play with these PH. Had 2 tanks set up. 1 with 2 40s and 1 with a 20. In the surge mode with some tweeking I could get at least a 6" wave going in a 90 gal tank. Yes...tremendous surge. I was very impressed. Impressed enough to make the decison to use these instead of closed loops in my next tank. They run cool and use far less electricity than the 2 closed loops and the Oceans motion I was looking at not too mention how much easier they will be to set up and allow room for other plumbing that needs to be done in the stand.

The downside is a maintanance issue regarding the wet side of the pump. Some say it needs replacing every 12-18 mos at a cost of $70.

With all the PH represented this week at MACNA these were my #1 pick with the Tunze right behind.

They put some small plastic media in the tank to show the flow these create. I have 30-40 seconds of video coming this next week.

 

I am going to be posting some vids soon showing what a newbie can do with just playing around with this pump. I am far from a pro when it comes to aqua scapeing and I wanted to see if this pump would replace the 4 that I have in the take now. from what i see now that would be a yes. but again I will post my vids showing just how new to this hobbie I am and why I need the people on this forum to help me out!

so I will be posting the funny vids soon.

Matt

 

the wires are exposed because they basically took the old pump that didnt have as much control and added the wavemaker to it. So if you had the old style one, it is fully upgradeable without having to buy a whole new pump. They also come out with new software that can upgrade the pumps operating modes. When i first bought mine it only had a few wavemaker settings with not a lot of fine adjustment. Since then they came out with new software for a night mode, a slower feeding mode, and more time lapse control for pulse mode! All you had to do was pay $9 and they sent you this chip and all you had to do was wirelessly connect the master pump to the microchip and it would upgrade all of your slave pumps with the new software. They also made some other upgrades with the impeller shaft and other mechanical things that you can also upgrade with out buying a whole new pump! So all in all it is a great pump!

I do have one complaint with these pumps. I have two in my 90 gallon and one is having issues staying connected to the glass. I think i need to replace the wet side assembly already and i have only had this pump for 3-4 months.

 

ThatGuy: Thats good info to know before starting to spend a good sum of money for these. I will be asking someone I met at the show these questions.

 

I will be watching that with my tank in a few months, right now I have it setup for lagoon mode cause I have not pulled the other pumps yet, so far I like it allot

matt