Introduction
Well as many of you have already heard Ecotech Marine launched their newest Vortech pump called the MP10. They claim it is ideally suited for nano-reefs (50g and below). It comes with its own controller and the flow can be adjust from 200GPH-1575GPH with the twist of a dial.
There are 5 modes for the pump:
Constant
Lagoon-Random and slow changing
Reef Crest- Random and quick changing
Short pulse (waves)
Long pulse (waves)
Then there is a feed mode and the night mode which is 50% of set speed on constant mode.

The pump when at 100% power uses a nice low 18w and none of that is going to the tank since the motor is outside of the tank.
I will be breaking the review into four parts setup below.

Review

---Ease of Use---
4 out of 5 Stars; The pump is very easy to setup. The modes can be changed with the touch of a button and the flow is adjusted with a dial. Setting up the pump disconnect (to enable error codes, apparently) seems tricky but i have not done it yet. The reason it does not get 5 stars is because i think this should be taken care of before they leave the factory. Night mode is easy to setup, the wave modes are a easy too, but just read the instructions.

---Packing---
3 out of 5 Stars; This is talking about the box it comes in from Ecotech, not the shipping box. I have read that many peoples pumps come undone while in the box, mine did as well. it seems that there is a small piece of cardboard to hold the pump in place. Then all the other stuff is shoved down in the bottom. No foam or anything to protect the $195 pump. Though this should not detour you from buying one, mine worked and i'm sure many others who got theirs like this worked.

---Functionality---
5 out of 5 Stars; Pump works flawlessly out of the box. Attach the two sides, plug in, and enjoy. The ability to control the power to the pump is amazing. The modes are also very useful, many seem to like the Reef Crest and the Lagoon modes, they are very nice and I plan to switch between them occasionally. Have not really created a wave yet but will soon for the video. One thing that bothers me is the holes to mount the controller, they are really small. I ended up using some fatter screws and they almost cracked the controller (where the holes are drilled, you'll see in one of the pics). The pump is also very small, which helps de-clutter the tank and remove equipment. It really look great and lets face it you get bragging rights.

---Flow---
5 out of 5 Stars; Very wide and dispersed flow, much wider than the Koralia pumps that mine replaced. On 100% power the pump moves a ton of water and the corals seem to be loving it. Fish love it too. When you first use it the corals will probably close up, but mine opened within a hour of the pump being on. Can't speak on how they compare to Tunze pumps but these are way better than Koralias.

Improvements: Packaging needs to be re thought or add some foam to keep the pump in place. Another thing that was senseless on Ecotech's part was a quick disconnect. The controller and the pump are wired together and it is rather dumb they did not put a disconnect on it.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Please feel free to ask questions or post your own review

Pics:

Here are the pictures and some crude video.









Videos:

It better be 5/5 for the damn price.

Excellent write up! I think that you gave a very knowledgeable and proper eval. Thank you so much for this. I can't wait to get one!!

I'd rather get a K wavemaker.

Good Review

Thanks guys.

Kray, the controller for the Koralias are $290 alone, then add the pumps your looking at over $350, which is even more than the MP20. Plus you have two huge pumps in the display... like i said i replaced a K1 and K2 in my tank, total 1000gph, i thought i would have some dead spots because 2 pumps versus 1, but i don't. There is not a dead spot and all there is in the tank is a small propeller. If you feel like $200 is a waste, then that is your opinion, the pump works great comes with a controller and is much smaller than the Koralias.

You tested this on your 27 gallon tank?

yep. i think my tank is a good test tank, it is 24x16x16 and i still get plenty of flow at the other end of the tank. I've seen on RC a 20L with the MP10, still a lot of flow. I would say up to 30" this pump is effective. Once you get into the 36" area, you will probably want the MP20 or 40.

Excellent review!

Setting up the pump disconnect (to enable error codes, apparently) seems tricky but i have not done it yet.

I disagree with this. As a proud owner of the Big Daddy version (MP40w) this is easy to setup once you follow directions.

I understand why the user has to set up the shut off disconnect. The pump factors in resistance to the motor when its running. This stops the pump from overheating. This same sensor needs to be calibrated each time the pump looses power.

Now if the pump had a battery to hold the calibrations this would not be a problem But would probably be a higher price or need more UL certification and crap like that.

I initially set up the auto shut off disconnect. But them I lost power and that clears all settings like the auto shut off disconnect and night mode and any wave patterns you have programmed.

This is why they recommend the battery back up. But at $170 a crack I'll just ignore the auto shut off and set the thing to Reef crest 100% power and then 9 pm comes I'll hold the 2 buttons to set night mode.

Well, I was going to post videos and pictures of my MP10 this weekend, but you've done a great job. I agree with your review, but I don't have complaints about the shipping. My pump came with no shipping problems. Flow seems awesome in my 29g tank. I agree with your 30" statement, the pump still keeps particles suspended at 30" but I can't imagine it would be that strong beyond 30". My tank with my MP10 is currently cycling and I look forward to posting my experiences with this awesome pump. For anyone questioning the $195 price tag, let me just say, its worth it and you won't regret it.

I really wish they made an on/off switch without having to unplug it for when you do waterchanges. It'll get completley exposed when I do a water change and even on "Feeding" mode the pump is still barley spining, should I unplug it or just leave it on feed mode and race against the ten minutes I have during then?

Hold down both the buttons to stop the propeller. Just like you do when you setup night mode.

Do you guys think this is enough for a 29G Mixed Reef (eventually SPS dominant)?

I'm on the fence about whether or not it's enough, right now I'm running (2) K2s. Thanks!

yes it will.

Higher price for a battery and more certification? Seems like if I'm buying a pumpthat is $200, $350, $450...I expect it to have full UL certification and a watch battery to hold the settings for the time it takes to restore power.

I don't own one, and while they seem like neat toys, I'll stick with my $20-30 pumps.

I have been toying with the idea of adding an MP10 to my tank, this thread is helping me move in that direction...

it is very nice, i have no regrets getting rid of the Koralias for this.

Here is what I have to say about Vortechs!


The Big Daddy... MP40W Gen2, thank you very much LOL. Just got it today so will let you guys know how it works. Its going in a 20 gallon tank. JUUUUUst kidding. Going in a 110. I read ALLOT of info on these and honestly I couldnt see buying 2 or 3 Ks modding them and spending nearly what I would for the Vortech.

go with the mp40w

^
not at all close.

IMO a MP10 will be fine. But if you want the MP20 will work as well.

Just do it! You wont be sorry....

Got my MP10 installed in my tank last night and all I can say is WOW!

Thanks for the positive information. I will probably be making an order here in the next week or so once I am finished with my move at the end of the month. I am excited about the ability to control the flow through my tank a little better.

I just replace my Koralia Nanos in my 10g with an MP10. Holy! The MP10 is just plain brilliant engineering. The flow in my tank is insanely better and I can't see ever using any other kinds of pumps really. I love knowing that when I bump my nano up to either a 15g or 20L and when my SPS grow in, I'll still have a TON of flow to play with from the MP10.

does a mp10 make sense on a 12 gallon? i too have been toying with the idea of getting one.

Yes it does make since! I have a CAD12G and its great...

reeftankguy, do you have any pictures of the mp10 in action? how is the noise level? thanks in advance

i can comment on the noise, it is NOT SILENT. it is louder than my old koralias.

mines very loud, and I think it has to go back to vortech because on constant mode every once in a while it makes a different pitch noise that follows the same pattern as reef crest but theres no change in flow. And its coming from the dry side...

When you first set it up you do have to adjust it to line it up perfectly to eliminate the Noise/Vibration.... Mine was loud till I played with it for a while... It will take some patients to get it right...

I did use the rubber spacer...

Or maybe mine was just an exception...

My noise seems to be coming from inside the dry side, would that be vibration related?

Yes that’s where you would hear it... Read the manual and it will tell you how to fix this... Because the Wet side is held in place by the Dry side by magnets you have to line up the center\Axis of each side to match…

Align the VorTech
Turn the VorTech pump to constant speed mode (indicated by a green LED) by • pressing the mode button which is located on the driver, then set to the maximum speed by using the speed control knob on the driver.
Plug the power supply into the driver. If vibration or excessive noise is detected, • carefully adjust the propeller housing by moving it VERY slightly left, right, up or down, until the noise/vibration is eliminated or minimized as much as possible.
After alignment has been ensured, adjust to the mode of your choice and turn the • speed control knob to achieve the desired flow rate within your aquarium.

Important: If the VorTech is not properly aligned, a strong vibration will be heard. If the alignment is not corrected, this can cause increased electrical consumption, excessive wear on the components, excessive heat and excessive noise

so if the mp10 is properly aligned what is the noise level like? thanks again

i re-aligned mine today and it is still audible. I guess i have a really quiet tank, but you could certainly hear it. It is not annoying but might not be suitable for a bedroom reef and a lite sleeper. I got use to the noise and plus it is on 50% power at night so it is not that loud.

I ordered mine on last Thurs...they finally got around to shipping it today. It should be here tomorrow, I cannot wait!. Happy B-day to myself from myself.

you won't be disappointed!

Mine is as quite as can be, you can't hardly hear it at all.

I can't make any waves though, how far down do you guys have yours from the top of the tank?

Take a look at where mine is... It was taken at night so it was in Night Mode (No wave)

That's about where mine is, I can't get a wave. Mine is on a 39G Cadlight though, maybe that's why? Do you have the pulse set where it goes really fast or is it slower?

Intsalled mine last night, very easy! I used the rubber pad that goes between the motor and glass.. I wan't sure how thick the Biocube 29g glass was and I didn't want to damage my motor. I will have pics up tonight!

Super quite! (there is instructions for calibration so you don't have vibration etc..)

Timmy

Hmmm... Wonder why you can't... The video I saw was on a long tank don't know how many gals is was...

Max 60% +/- Pulse 40% +/- I had to play with it all night... Had to blow all the sand off my rock with a baster after I got it set...

Did you calibrate it when you first set it up?

Just got my tank all cleaned and water change done. I got the pump into place. I am alittle dissapointed because I can not place it directly where I want it due to some xenia being directly in line with the pump. It works great if you want to stir up some detritus, just crank it up all the way for a min and watch the shart fly.It is not as random as I had hoped. I pictured there being more of a push pull motion to it. I will continue to play with the settings. My fish definatly are not happy with the flow rates. Everyone is hiding out. My millipora is not all that happy with it as well. I just have the wrong stuff in the wrong places for what this pump does.

How do you know you have it at 60%? Are you just guessing how much you have it turned down with the knob?

As far as noise, all I can hear is a slight humming as it ramps up and down in Reef Crest mode. Considering the motor is outside of the tank, this isn't bad at all. The pump also has a break in period in which it will gradually become even more quiet. It is important to have the dry and wet sides properly aligned as some have stated.

Based on feedback that Ecotech has been getting, they say this is their quietest pump yet.

Josh... This is how I see (In my head) my dial on my MP10... Example is set at 72%

Haha, that is awesome. You should tell Vortech to add something like that, a lil sticker would be awesome!

Is placing it on the right or left side of the tank just your own preference? My CAD 22's return is on the right side so was thinking of putting the MP20 on the left side to counter the flow from the return.

But, I've seen some pics on here that have the MP10/MP20 on the right side which is the side where the return is.

Is it better on the right than on the left?

nope, just a matter of preference. I wanted dissapated flow at the left end of my tank so i put it on the right side, but it didn't seem to matter too much, lol.

just bought a MP10 for my 15L macro / aggro fish tank IM SO EXCITED TO GET IT NEXT WEEK

I'm considering either a pair of these or an MP40W for a 2.5x2.5x1.5 SPS "cube" and can't decide. Any ideas? The MP40W would actually work out roughly $200 cheaper..