Vortech Mp10es Long Term Review

I have now had my vortech for about a month and these are my thoughts.

Is it worth the price?
Yes. But, it depends what you really want and what size tank you have IMO. If you are looking for a wave maker and have a smaller tank (Less than 50 gallons) then I think they are absolutely worth it. If you have a very large tank and think you might not really need a wavemaker than it may not be the pump for you because the same effects can probably be given by multiple Koralias taking up a slightly larger area. There is no other pump like a Vortech that is as powerful as a Vortech and as small as one. The wet side is barely noticable in my 34 gallon cube. Also it has been said before that a Vortech is only worth it with an SPS tank, but I strongly disagree. The Vortech not only gives movement to soft coral and LPS that can not be goven by other pumps, but it also makes them happier. I have never seen my Softy/LPS tank look as good as it does now. Some days 4 or 5 zoanthids in a colony would not open or maybe my leather would be a bit retracted one day, but now I never have these issues.

Is it loud?
I will admit, it can be loud at times. If it is set at 100% on short or long pulse mode then it is noticable over my other equiptment, but I almost NEVER run the Vortech at 100%, I run it at 75% so it is very quiet unless you are standing right next to the pump.

How easy is it to control?
Very. With the new 'es' controller the Vortech is very easy to make waves. It takes a couple of days to get it figured out, but once you get it the possibilities are endless!
To conclude, the Vortech is a GREAT pump with easy controls, astronomical power and speed, and great wave making functions. I definately reccomend it! I was apprehensive at first because of the $200+ price tag, but it really is an amazing piece of technology.

 

Great review! If only I had a few hundred dollars to spend on something so small, this would be it! Love the wavemaker and wireless features. Also the "no wires in tank" feature is very appealing; why can't more products be like this?

 

Would two of these alternating be enough in a 65g? Or would I need to go to the MP40?

 

I have 2 in a 40 Breeder running at half speed...plenty of flow. The 65 gallon is 6" taller I believe. I would think that 2 MP10W ES would be fine.

 

It's just crazy these power heads cost more than the aquarium they sit in

 

Great review, JJ. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope to get some of these for my next reef tank.

You built an aquarium setup for $260 - $550? (just a bit more than the cost of 2 mp10w es pumps)

 

Sounds good--how much control do you have with the amount of time they are actually on/off. My idea was two of them alternating every 90 seconds.

 

You cant actually set them to turn off completely to my knowledge, but you can create waves in the long pulse and short pulse modes if that is what you want to do. I imagine turning them off and on every 90 seconds would cause damage to the motors over time.

 

My Biocube was around 280, paid a lot for my live rock but it was worth it.
Just received my new koralia and hydor pump and slim skim, its waiting to be unwrapped i love ordering xmas gifts early!

 

So I could maybe just turn the percentage to kind of make them alternate? Like 80% power for 90 seconds, then 10% for 90?