EcoTech Marine President, Tim Marks wasn’t kidding when he stated their upcoming product would utilize the same patented technology as the VorTech MP40w and MP20, but who would have thought it would come in such a small package? The brand new VorTech MP10 protrudes into the tank just 1.5″ and will set you back $195; [...]
EcoTech Marine President, Tim Marks wasn’t kidding when he stated their upcoming product would utilize the same patented technology as the VorTech MP40w and MP20, but who would have thought it would come in such a small package? The brand new VorTech MP10 protrudes into the tank just 1.5″ and will set you back $195; making this the smallest and most affordable product in the VorTech range.
This pint-sized pump has been given a tank rating of 2.5 to 50 gallons; hitting the smallest pico up to the mid range aquarium. Thanks to the controllable DC motor the flow is completely variable, but can push up to 1,575 gph while consuming just 18w. Like its larger VorTech brethren, the motor of the MP10 is outside of the aquarium keeping heat and electrical cords out of water and out of sight. The motor’s energy is transmitted via magnets through the glass to spin the propeller and create tremendous flow.
Here are the hard stats straight from EcoTech:
- Flow: 500 to 1575 gph
- Wattage: 8 to 18 watts
- Maximum Tank Thickness: 3/8″
- Appropriate Tank Size Range: 2.5 to 50 gal
- Dimensions: Wet Side- 2.5″ diameter by 1.5″ long, Dry Side – 2.5″ diameter by 2″ long
- Clearance Needed Behind Aquarium: 2.25″
- MAP: $195 USD
Operationally all the same modes and safety measures on the MP40w and MP20 exist on the MP10. For more information, please see EcoTech’s product page here.
Watt for watt, inch for inch, the MP10 packs an intense punch. Take a look at EcoTech’s new website featuring a terrific landing page comparing the size of the MP10’s to the competition. Our regular readers know how fanatical we are about simplicity and aesthetics. I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a more attractive and effective solution for sub 50g aquariums. Multiples will be needed for larger aquariums, but the discrete size of these pumps make them attractive for all aquarists. I am looking forward to personally trying this pump on the glassbox, or possibly on a new nano set up.
Since the word broke on this yesterday, there are already questions being asked regarding the difference between the VorTech MP10 and MP20. Although they do share the same minimum flow rate of 500gph, here’s what sets the MP10 apart:
- Much smaller in size (-0.5″ in diameter and -1.25″ in length)
- $100 less expensive ($195 v $295)
- Pushes 425 gph less (1,575gph vs 2,000gph)
- Can be used on up to 3/8″ thick glass vs. the MP20’s 3/4″
- Non upgradeable
- The MP20 can be upgraded to a full MP40w by changing the driver and power supply.
If you do not have plans to upgrade to a large aquarium in the near future, the compact stature of the MP10 cannot be beat. Regarding size, Tim Marks states:
“The MP10, without question, offers the smallest in-tank foot print of any commercially-available pump capable of pushing 1575 gallons per hour, once again proving that smaller is better.”
We could not agree more–size does matter. Beautiful engineering. Affordable. Small. Eco-friendly. We’ll take one please, and so can you. GBD has teamed up with EcoTech Marine to giveaway 3 of these brand new VorTech MP10 pumps to you, our readers.
This exciting giveaway provides you with the opportunity to win one of these great pumps before they are available for sale. MP10s won’t begin shipping to retailers until late Spring, but three lucky winners will be the first to get their hands on these.
The VorTech MP10 Giveaway
Who Can Play: Anyone in the US or Canada is eligible. Limit one entry per household. For additional rules see here.
Drawing: The 3 winners will be drawn on 4/13, 4/20, and 4/27. (One winner for each respective day).
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this thread and you’ll be automatically entered. Entries will be closed at midnight prior to the drawing day. Once a winner is selected they are removed from the possible pool and are no longer eligible in future drawings for this giveaway.
Spread the word.
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HTML: <a href=”http://glassbox-design.com/2009/ecotech-marines-new-incredibly-small-vortech-mp10″>GBD Giveaway – Win a new VorTech MP10</a>
Forums: [URL=http://glassbox-design.com/2009/ecotech-marines-new-incredibly-small-vortech-mp10]GBD Giveaway – Win a new VorTech MP10[/URL]
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TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/mp10GBD
