Ecotech Marine Vortech propeller pump

[Anonymous]

The only disadvantage I see is that you cannot turn the flow like you can with the Tunze. Otherwise it is superior. The Vortech wins IMO.

 

[Len]

i note the pumps come with a wireless controller and a new controller will be out sometime to run more than one vortech pump. if you buy the new controller what happens to the old controllers that come with the pumps when you buy them.?? will the controllers that come with the pumps be obsolete.

Greg addressed the other points you brought up, so I will address this one only. As I previously mentioned, Ecotech has an amazing upgrade path. Nothing is tossed, and all upgrades are done at an EXTREMELY reasonable price and fast turnaround time. Again, I place high value on this aspect. Not many companies in any industry offer this type of service.

 

[Len]

The only disadvantage I see is that you cannot turn the flow like you can with the Tunze. Otherwise it is superior. The Vortech wins IMO.

Ecotech can easily manufacturer a directional nozzle (the inside half is modular and the propeller casing unlocks with a twist). However, the flow dispersion is so incredibly wide that after the first few inches, there is no point in offering directionality IMO.

 

[Entacmaea]

Len- I'll buy the $200 kalkreactor and just fill it a little more often :wink:

 

[Len]

Hehe. Ya, the smaller reactor will work just fine. Most of the more expensive stuff with this hobby simple offers more features that aren't necessary for success but offer value to some hobbyists.

 

[Entacmaea]

I certainly don't blame you- if I could afford it I would get all the bells and whistles! Including a kalkreactor that I could forget about for a month at a time! Two pounds? Wow. 8O

 

[reefreef]

IMO, hiding any submersible pump between "rocks" is a bad idea. It's more prone to clogging and sucking up something desirable. It makes cleaning a major chore, and that fake Tunze rock is huge and just plain ugly.

Most tanks with the stream rocks look pretty good as the rock gets covered in coralline algae and corals. also it is hard to notice that it was a fake rock
so if it looked fake then it was not down very well.

"heating in the winter" and "German engineering." Do you think anyone would consider these in making a decision to buy a Tunze over the Vortech? Most reef aquarists are concerned about heat and would consider the external design vastly superior

Not really , but then many would not even consider the heat factor and the power use as pretty minor when you have far bigger pumps that use far more power/heat. eg skimmer pumps, main pumps.

The difference between the stream/vortech pumps is 18w. not sure how much you will save in power ,but it cant be much.

 

[leftovers]

IMO, hiding any submersible pump between "rocks" is a bad idea. It's more prone to clogging and sucking up something desirable. It makes cleaning a major chore, and that fake Tunze rock is huge and just plain ugly.

Most tanks with the stream rocks look pretty good as the rock gets covered in coralline algae and corals. also it is hard to notice that it was a fake rock
so if it looked fake then it was not down very well.

"heating in the winter" and "German engineering." Do you think anyone would consider these in making a decision to buy a Tunze over the Vortech? Most reef aquarists are concerned about heat and would consider the external design vastly superior

Not really , but then many would not even consider the heat factor and the power use as pretty minor when you have far bigger pumps that use far more power/heat. eg skimmer pumps, main pumps.

The difference between the stream/vortech pumps is 18w. not sure how much you will save in power ,but it cant be much.

Well IME the rocks do look horrid and do clog and become more work than they are worth.

The power IS importand and even MORE so is the HEAT they add to a tank which in this case between 1-3degrees F depending on your tank size. That is A LOT of heat.

You should see how much power 45-50W running 24x7 eats and see if running 25-35W doesn't make a difference. It does, and on both these issues - heat and power you are off the mark.

The Vortech's will save power and eliminate heat addition to my tank which in turn saves me money and run time on the chiller which also saves me money. I'm not made of gold but neither do I or anyone else wanting to be tossing money into the fire when we don't have to.

 

[Entacmaea]

Ridiculous Price :roll:

 

[EcoTech Marine]

The official Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the VorTech MP40 is $345.00. This price is a maximum suggested retail price; we do not impose price minimums. Price will vary from vendor to vendor.

Product will be available in limited quantities from specific vendors sometime in March, 06. Larger quantities will be available in April.

The product consumes between 35 and 40 watts of energy at its highest output, some pumps will operate at higher wattage during break in. Our lab tested flow rate is 3100 gph. During the development of this product we benchmarked it against several other products using a standard procedure to measure the flow rate of the pump. We found that some of our competitors were not hitting their claimed flow rate. The VorTech provides ~25% more flow then the performance we measured from our closest competitor, and does this at 10% less wattage, amounting to a product which is overall ~30% more efficient. Additionally, flow is capable of being turned down to approximately several hundred gallons per hour. This product is capable of being used on tanks as small as 20 gallons. How do we know? EcoTech Marine has been running it on a 29 gallon system for months.

We realize that manufacturers’ statements only mean so much to many of you. Third party testing is in process and will be published in the near future.

We sincerely appreciate all of the interest in this product and are looking forward to the coming months.

Best Regards,

Tim

 

[leftovers]

Ridiculous Price :roll:

If you owned one you wouldn't be saying that.

I suppose Tunze is also.

All I can say is that you get what you pay for.

 

[Entacmaea]

I've been reading all the input, am very excited about the product, and think it is a great leap forward in water movement for our tanks.

Still think it is a silly price...

 

[leftovers]

I've been reading all the input, am very excited about the product, and think it is a great leap forward in water movement for our tanks.

Still think it is a silly price...

Sorry you feel that way about the price. It's a quality device designed to very high standards. Again there are other products that move less water that cost more and I don't see people ranting about their price this way. So I don't know what to tell you.

If you get the opportunity to buy 1 or 2 on sale do so.

 

[Entacmaea]

I'm just trying to inject some realism, which I think is healthy. I think we need to temper the run-away reviews of the product, which may be very true, with a dose of reality. I think RDO "staff" (for lack of a better term) should be very careful about presenting such laudatory reviews and supporting such a price, without acknowledging that it is out of range for the majority of hobbyists. My "rant" is certainly laced with disappointment that I won't be able to afford it easily, I'm the first to admit, but it does seem to be being presented as "worth it" at any price, without any sensitivity.

It just seems rather odd that the beta-testers are defending such a high price for the product, regardless of the quality they have encountered with it.

 

[Len]

I'd like to see it under $300, and it very well could be under $300 after the initial surge of demand dies down. Vendors rarely are able to sell at MSRP after supply and demand settles down. The early adopters, as with any products, will have to pay the higher price. And unfortunately, not all products can fit everyone's budget. I can't afford Aston Martin cars or Patek wristwatches, but I still can appreciat their design and craftsmanship

I don't necessarily defend the price, but I also don't think it is silly. I defend the Vortech and its value for its quality, not regardless of it.

Ultimately, free market economics will determine the price. If $300-350 is unsustainable, Ecotech will either lower the price (if possible) or go out of business.

 

[Len]

Oops. May analogy with Aston Martin was a pretty poor one I didn't want to imply that the Vortech is a designer luxury item; I really believe that for its price, its value is matched by its design and utility, especially when my alternative is a similiarly priced Tunze that does less for me. But I'm with ya on wanting to see this thing cheaper, or perhaps a scaled down version for smaller tanks so more people can afford this quality piece of engineering.

 

[Entacmaea]

I think your first instinctual analgy is telling ; ) I don't think it is a luxury item either, just suggesting that it might be priced like one IMO. But listen to me... I will probably save up for it and buy one like everyone else!

And for the record Len, if you buy an Aston Martin for $250,000, I will think you are silly too :lol:

 

[Len]

Hehe. With my analogy, I wanted to express Vortech's high quality, but it then struck me that it was rather poor analogy since Patek Watches really aren't more functional then a Casio The Vortech, IMO, is more "functional" then other circulation pumps on the market. You get more features for the dollar, not just more manual craftsmanship or pride of ownership.

If I could afford an Aston Martin and really wanted one, I see no reason why I shouldn't buy one I cant fault people who have money for spending it

 

[Entacmaea]

Well, just saying that buying a $250,000 car is an excessive indulgence that is silly. Instead, buy a $100,000 car and donate the rest to education, or Nature Conservancy, or the Coral Reef Alliance. C'mon Len, I mean, who needs a $250,000 car!!!!!!???? :roll: The world would be such a better place (play violins here)

 

[Len]

We're waxing philosophical now. I'd be happy to debate you on the social and economic merits of high priced merchandise in The Sump .... if only I still posted there Not that I would, but you can formulate a valid philosophical argument that people don't need education, nature conservancy, or coral reefs 8O

We're veering off topic now