Ecotech Marine Vortech propeller pump

[reefreef]

I think also no one has run 3 vortech side/side. If one is running at 100% it is not a major problem with surface flow, but try 3 and it is a problem.
Its true the stream does not have the big wide flow of the vortech, however once you put the vortech on a controller you will lose some of the wider flow and certainly even lose more forward thrust, whilst having a stream on a controller you do get a wider flow.

For me a big issue is the noise and forward flow,

 

[GSchiemer]

Installed 3 voretch pumps today to see how they would rate against the streams.
Well so far the streams are still the best for quite a few reasons.

Installing the vortech is not the easiest as you have to line up the pumps 100% or they make a knocking should, especially on a glass tank.
Once installed correctly they run ok however they are nosey especially if you have 3 going at once. I have them all lined up on one side of the tank.
the flow is nice and wide on the vortech however if you have a 9ft long tank you don’t get much water movement on the other side of the tank unlike with the streams you get a even flow around the whole tank.
The vortech pumps a lot of water on the surface and the flow only goes about 3ft and then very little flow. The vortech does have a lot of flow on the surface and below the pump.
The other thing that is not the best is the cable tight that holds the vortech cable on the out side of the tank. It can be seen from inside the aquarium.

Will play around more with them as I am sure I can get them going better but really surprised no one has every mentioned any of these issues.

I think no one has mentioned these "issues" because they're not issues. You are the first person to complain that the Vortech pump is "noisy." It's not as quiet as the Tunze Stream because the motor isn't under water (that's a good thing) but I don't believe a reasonable person would describe it as "noisy." Perhaps your pumps need a few days to break in.

To complain about installation is ridiculous, especially with the new gasket system. If it takes you longer than 10 seconds then you're doing something wrong.

As for the flow, the Vortech creates a MUCH wider flow pattern compared to the Tunze, which is a desirable trait and allows it to be effective in "smaller" and "shorter" reef aquariums. That "flow" you're observing on the surface is indicative of this wider flow pattern and is a GOOD thing. The Tunze has longer "reach" because the flow is concentrated by a nozzle at the output, much like a traditional powerhead. IMO, this is a disadvantage. For those reef aquarists with 9 foot long aquariums, which I suspect are few and far between, you'll want to position the Vortech pumps on opposite ends of the aquarium to maximize the flow. If you're simply looking for a pump that will reach end to end of your 9 foot and longer aquarium, then use traditional large powerheads or install a closed loop system.

The cable comment is just plain silly. Last I looked the Tunze had an electrical cable attached to it and it was INSIDE the aquarium. The entire Tunze pump is certainly more conspicuous in the aquarium compared to the Vortech.

Greg

 

[reefreef]

I think no one has mentioned these "issues" because they're not issues. You are the first person to complain that the Vortech pump is "noisy." It's not as quiet as the Tunze Stream because the motor isn't under water (that's a good thing) but I don't believe a reasonable person would describe it as "noisy." Perhaps your pumps need a few days to break in.

Yes it could take a few days to settle, however they are loud. There is no doubt about that. I could hardly hear the streams. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind a bit of sound but get all three going and the sound is very noticeable.

I am using them on 1/2 inch glass tank which means the back of the impeller is closer to the glass. Maybe a problem.

The cable comment is just plain silly.

I don’t think it looks very nice to see nice reef tank and then see 3 white stickers on the side panel. Will get a photo up.

Last I looked the Tunze had an electrical cable attached to it and it was INSIDE the aquarium

Never an issue as you could only see 4 inches of it.

That "flow" you're observing on the surface is indicative of this wider flow pattern and is a GOOD thing.

Hardly a good thing if it is hitting my top brace. I want water flow over my corals not the surface.

MUCH wider flow pattern compared to the Tunze, which is a desirable trait and allows it to be effective in "smaller" and "shorter" reef aquariums

Maybe a additional attachment grill with a nozzle for large tanks would be good.

If you're simply looking for a pump that will reach end to end of your 9 foot and longer aquarium, then use traditional large powerheads or install a closed loop system.

I believe my 4 streams before all at one end worked perfectly.
Once you start to face them towards each other you get all the current in the middle. otherwise you can have one end on and the other off which would solve that however then you are only using 2 pumps a time in my case. also if you control pumps you lose about 30% of the flow as they will run at 100% then go down to 30%.

Why did i change to vortech? Because i liked the small footprint in the tank.
Still early days as i need more time with the vortech pumps .

 

[da colts1]

and...... iffin you decide to sell them let me know

 

[Max]

Any of you guys know when these will be available again? Most the places I've checked still talk about preordering and batch 1...

 

[reefreef]

Had a bit of time today to play with the vortech pumps.
I did not mention in my previous post that pumps are great quality and so are the transformers and parts.

I removed one vortech as the water was still hitting the bracing, so only had two on one side of my tank about 10inch apart.
This worked out much better as no water was hitting the bracing and there seemed to be more flow in the tank. I think they do need to be space further apart do to the wider flow.

Sound from vortech has reduced a bit and with only two going it was better than three.

Flow is also nice and well spaced.

Would be nice to have the controller when they are out.

 

[Anonymous]

Had a bit of time today to play with the vortech pumps.
I did not mention in my previous post that pumps are great quality and so are the transformers and parts.

I removed one vortech as the water was still hitting the bracing, so only had two on one side of my tank about 10inch apart.
This worked out much better as no water was hitting the bracing and there seemed to be more flow in the tank. I think they do need to be space further apart do to the wider flow.

Sound from vortech has reduced a bit and with only two going it was better than three.

Flow is also nice and well spaced.

Would be nice to have the controller when they are out.

Do you think you could post a pic of the tank and the arrangement they are in? I would like to get an idea of the scale of the water they push. I am thinking one of them might be too much for my tank.

 

[reefreef]

will post pic soon,
They should be ok for most tanks as you can turn them down.

 

[reefreef]

Here are some pics of the vortech.

Getting to like the pump. i have 2 up one end and 1 on the other end. Getting great water movement.

 

[Anonymous]

Greg Schiemer's article has been published yet, correct?

 

[GSchiemer]

I'm still working with the Vortech pumps and expect to publish the product review in the next month or two. One of the reasons I've hesitated is because of the numerous changes that have been made to certain aspects of the production pump since introduction. If nothing had been changed, I would have written the article a long time ago. I've been running one of the beta Vortech pumps 24/7 since March of this year. I haven't had to touch it once and it's been working great. Unfortunately, the design has changed somewhat since the beta model and I basically had to start the process over again. I've also spent some time trying to do head to head comparisons with its closest competitor, the Tunze.

Greg

 

[WRASSER]

How are they mounted to the tank?
I know you probably said it in the post but to look for it in 10 pages, thats a lot :wink:

 

[bleedingthought]

How are they mounted to the tank?
I know you probably said it in the post but to look for it in 10 pages, thats a lot :wink:

The propeller and the motor are two separate magnetic parts. They come together like a cleaning magnet "through" the glass. Just look at the pictures at the top and you'll get it. :wink:

 

[WRASSER]

Yes that is what i thought, just wanted to make sure the tank wasnt predrilled.
How much do the pumps go for?


Thanks for the info too

 

[bleedingthought]

Yes that is what i thought, just wanted to make sure the tank wasnt predrilled.
How much do the pumps go for?


Thanks for the info too

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=IC9111

 

[da colts1]

here is a video of the flow of 1 vortech in my 125 gal reef
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[GSchiemer]

How are they mounted to the tank?
I know you probably said it in the post but to look for it in 10 pages, thats a lot :wink:

The motor is magnetically coupled to the propeller unit through the glass, which is the unique aspect of this pump.

Greg

 

[jetaero]

From how I mounted my vortech restrainer, I just mounted the tie on the bracing of my tank... So I wasn't able to see it from inside...

-Josh