Entry

Size Does Matter: Vortech MP40w v Competition

Does size matter? Or is is the motion of the ocean? Advanced aquarists demand both, minimal intrusion inside the aquarium and high flow performance. EcoTech Marine has no qualms in either category, thanks to their impressive line of Vortech aquarium pumps that satisfy these footprint and flow demands. Building upon their Size Does Matter campaign, [...]

Vortech MP40w Footprint

Does size matter? Or is is the motion of the ocean? Advanced aquarists demand both, minimal intrusion inside the aquarium and high flow performance. EcoTech Marine has no qualms in either category, thanks to their impressive line of Vortech aquarium pumps that satisfy these footprint and flow demands. Building upon their Size Does Matter campaign, the EcoTech Marine crew has taken a bold step to showcase  the minimal in-tank footprint of the MP10 and MP40w is to competitor’s models. Check it out and let us know what you think: http://ecotechmarine.com/sizedoesmatter/

You may have noticed the comparison of the Vortech MP10 – EcoTech’s contribution to the nano-reef aquarium segment – to its competitors has been up for a while. Just last week they updated the feature to include a comparison of the MP10’s big brother – the MP40w,  to a few popular “stream style” pumps on the market.

If you click through the different models, stay focused on the aqua blue line which denotes the tank glass and you will really see the difference of the in-tank footprint. The guys at EcoTech have assured GBD that the comparisons are accurate and all images are shot at the same scale. If you’re wondering where the middle child MP20 is in all this, don’t fret. The MP20 shares the same wet side as the MP40w, hence the same in-tank footprint, with the added ability to upgrade should you need more power.

The less visible any equipment and wires are, the better the viewing experience for a reef tank. I can’t talk about these pumps enough because of their minimal intrusion and also their wide, controllable flow. Now to figure out if its possible to make an MP10 work on 1/2″ glass…

Related Posts

  1. Hands On With The New Vortech MP10 Pump
  2. GBD Giveaway – EcoTech Marine’s New Incredibly Small VorTech MP10
  3. EcoTech Marine | Vortech MP40w
  4. Vortech MP10 Shipping Out Tomorrow!
  5. New Development Kit for Vortech-to-Controller Connectivity

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  • Danny
    I purchase 3x Vortech MP40W man these pumps are just about perfect except for one small detail. They make to much damm noise and that was just 1 of them the other two were still in the boxes imagine 3 of them running would have sounded like a washing machine in spin cycle and thats the honest truth.....yes Ive heard it all before you have to make sure they are all alligned etc etc etc I had spent a good few hours turning the wet and dry sides around trying to hit the sweet spot. Well I did hit the sweet spot eventually I got fed up with the noise and sent them back to the store and now have whisper quiet Tunze 6105s and man they are unreal yes a little larger in size but you dont even notice them in a well layout tank but I tell you what no matter what you do you can never avoid hearing the noise. I drives me bonkers..... so one word of warning ... buyers beware !!!!
  • Nicholas Sadaka
    I have to come out on the side of the Vortech's with the qualifier that I've never owned a Tunze pump. I've been extremely pleased with the performance, versatility and customer service of Vortech. They certainly reply to emails and will try to talk you through repairs before having you send them in. I basically have to cut corners when possible with aquarium equipment as I just don't have that kind of money, but on the occasion that I did end up with some disposable income (tax returns), I felt like for the power and wavemaking ability of the MP40, I couldn't find a comparable set up from Tunze. I probably could have if I had gotten the pump and single controller from Tunze, but from reviews I had read, it seemed like the single controller was poor in relation to the multi-controller, but it's a large price difference. Then the bonus of having the heat and cord outside of the tank with Vortech...that pretty much sold it for me. I have had some issues with it, but always received fantastic customer service in response and have not had to pay a dollar more than the initial cost. I think if ALL Tunze pumps were controllable, I might feel differently, but the fact that you have to buy a very expensive pump just to be able to have the controller capability is disappointing to me. Anyway, my vote's for Vortech all the way!!!

    I do dislike how hot the pump gets outside the tank...it's just a little disturbing to me more than anything.
  • Matt
    @Eric, agreed. However, I can't say that I'd call Ecotech's support very good. Within months, I had both MP40s back to be fixed. 1 month after warranty expiration, one goes out, and instead of cutting me a deal for a second time in 1 year, I had to pay the $75 to rebuild them. Interesting you've had issues with tunzes....
  • @Matt, with every product there is bound to be failures. With both Tunze and Vortech I think it's important how they handle them.... and both have exceptional customer service.

    For me, I never had luck with Tunze pumps.

    @Greg, thanks for chiming in. If we didn't want to hear all your opinions we wouldn't have a comments section. Keep on with the JMHOs!
  • Jon
    I dont find it that hard to hide tunze's if it is worked into the tank's design. You can use a fake overflow wall/baffle to poke the outlet through (and hide the pump behind). Or, you can use rock walls (real or fake) to hide the Tunze's behind (Iwan Lasser's last tank). Because you can completely hide Tunze's (or other brand internal pump) completely inside the tank and simply 'poke their head through the curtain' I find this less of a visual sore than a Vortech, which usually sits on the side glass in plain view from outside (you can put them on the back, but most pumps like this work better if shooting side to side). Not always the case... but often. And I can aim a tunze where I want... not so with a Vortech (not that you really need to... they have a wider flow pattern it seems). If you plan well, you can hide a tunze right in plain view, front and center of a tank, blowing up at the corals.

    So when will there be a MP60 or MP80 anyways? I can see the value in a 5000 or 8000gph version.

    One suggestion to the Vortech guys that might make you some $$$: If you use an articulated shaft on the internal prop/shaft setup between the magnet and prop... you could allow the inner setup to be positioned. For the guard you would have to make a hemisphere with a positionable outlet (a hemispherical version of a vector thrust nozzle on a jet fighter). Then, make the external part waterproof... so if someone wanted to use it internal... they could. You would have the end-all prop pump right there.
  • Matt
    hmmmm, why don't they consider comparing reliability?!? I've had each of my Vortech MP40s in TWICE for repairs. The worst I can say about Tunze is I had one of my four 6045s in once. They are also too hot for acrylic, so these are limited to glass aquaria.... Reliability matters more....
  • Greg Carroll
    I am not a fan of this type of marketing. Mercedes Benz will never put another brand car in their commercials or adds for a comparison. Why? Because the competition is chasing them and franky they don't matter. It always seems to be the followers who take on this type of ad campaign (ex: Lexus). Vortec is a one of a kind product that has no comparison. I'm not saying that their marketing is wrong, just that I would have chosen the Mercedes Benz route.

    The other risk is that someone reading this ad may desire the positioning versatility of the Tunze and the Koralia and choose those products over the Vortec. Of course this is JMHO!
  • Jason
    I agree that the Vortech is the way to go for a less intrusive look and a wide, variable flow pattern. I run two myself and for looks they can't be beat. However, recently I realized that they just weren't quite cutting it in terms of performance, they couldn't quite get to all the dead spots in the tank. So, I decided to add a Tunze 6105 in the back corner of the tank. All I can say about that pump is WOW! Amazing amount of flow and instant removal of all dead spots in the tank. I wouldn't want the Tunze on the side panels of the tank because of the larger size and the wire, but for the back corners they are perfect and their flow is outstanding.
    S0, from now on I'm a Vortech and Tunze fan! That combo can't be beat.
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