a pair of them would give you a better swaying motion but lik you said then it will be more expensive

Hmmmmm, I think I may just go the MP40W for now and if I need extra I'll add an MP10 to the fold. They'll both be on the back wall (peninsula tank) so I guess the big boy will have much better penetration. The swaying motion isn't a huge issue either, I won't have any softies or LPS to really pay attention to it


Thanks!

ever thought about two MP40's or way out of the budget?

Now you're talkin' some BIG bucks!

yeah thats some serious money, but would be seriously cool

Over here that'd be about $1500, as compared to about $900 for the MP40W and the MP10. As much as I'd like to say it's in the budget, I don't think it is for now. Who knows, maybe I can find someone who wants to give me some for cheaper. Mmmmmmm, running them in sync/anti-sync ...

And don't forget the kitchen sync!! (Sorry, couldn't help myself)!

what would u use in a 55g? how about a 29g? trying to plan...

for a 29 Mp10, for a 55 Mp20 or you could go big or go home and go Mp20 on the 29 and Mp40 on the 55

You just gave me the best idea! Perfect way to wash the dishes - putting a couple of Vortechs in there and letting them take care of it all?

I just got my MP10 today. My tank has not arrived yet so I filled a 20gl I had in the garage and set the MP10 according to direction. I put it on short pulse mode but am not getting anything like the video on the Ecotch Marine site in the 34 Solana.
I have positioned it in many locations and it seems to be working short pulse, but no wave action to speak of. Could it maybe need a break in period? Maybe it is defective? I have it all the way up and the blue light is going on and off, just not much flow, at least not what you would expect seeing the video.
Any ideas? If this is the most it will do in an empty standard 20gl then it will be a disappointment in a Finnex 30M tank with rock work for sure.

You have to dial it in. When you put it in short pulse mode it WITH OUT setting it up you just get a constant mode. Read the instructions on how to setup the short pulse mode. Mine was not creating a wave when i read the instructions, i dialed it in with the dial (the pulse lenght), i seen a hefty wave after about 30 seconds.

Yes, I did say that it is getting the on-off short pulse blue light and putting my hand up to it it is pulsing, just not making any wave no matter where i place it, high, middle, low. Like it doe snot have the output that the video shows though I have it turned all the way up.
Nevermind. I watched the video on setting up a wave on the Ecotech website. I had maxed the speed and set the pulse but had not set the frequency. Now it works fine.
I take it all back. FANTASTIC PUMP!

I am really tempted to get one of these but it sure does seem like a lot of dough to spend a on a circ pump. Right now i have a Tunze 6025 and i like it just fine, it just isn't as fun to play with. Another thing I don't care for is, that it needs to go on the side of the tank. I am sort of partial to having my circ pumps on the back wall so they aren't as noticeable. Who nows if I get some extra loot I might swing for one but right now I think I'll stick to what I have and use my money to buy some corals instead.

I am the same way. I like the pumps out of sight as much as possible. I will probably add a couple nano koralias on the back wall for added circulation but I can't get over the wave pattern this MP 10 makes so though it will be hanging on the side of my tank, I think it will be worth it. And really, except for the cord, and this is just on a tank with nothing in it setting on the floor so it may look different in my Finnex, it really does not look obtrusive at all. It is a nice design in appearance overall. I just want to rig a way so the cord does not show as much.

Saw some more videos today, guess I'm sold....

I'm like you Jerry, I also have a Tunze 6025 and I like it fine as well. Just don't have all of the extra features of the Vortech. I modded my Tunze. so it puts out similar flow to the Tunze 6045.

If only there was someone that could make a dry dock box, that would allow folks to put their Vortechs on the back wall!

Man that would be sweet, or even an extension tube that could fit in a rear chamber and go between the wet and dry side.

That's what I was going to do on my Finnex. I was looking on the Internet for display box that I could cut one side off and silicone/glue it to the back-side of the front wall chamber section. I had removed the chambers to attach rock to the wall and modify the refugium. Decided not to even put it back in for the extra display room so now I have the MP10 on the back wall of the tank in the center up top. Working well. making nice waves. I tuned it so the wave action is slower then fast pulse. Seems a more natural swaying. Course, no corals in yet, just live rock and a couple pieces of caulerpa.

Hey just a question..I've got a 26g acrylic with 1/2" walls and read that the MP10 works up to 3/8". Has anyone tried the MP10 on 1/2" or do I need to get the MP20?

This pump is awesome. I've been running it for 2 months and absolutely love the wavemaker type flow from the short pulse mode. Only thing I would add is to be sure to disassemble the wet side and vinegar soak it occasionally if you run high calcium levels. In my 34gal SPS tank I run my cal between 430-450 and in one month the shaft and propeller became calcified. I was woken up in the morning to a banging noise and found the motor dancing on the outside of the tank

After playing with mine for a few day and reading what others have to say I believe I have settled on the fast pulse wave. It looks nice at the water's surface and seems to cause the most turbulence in the tank.
Now that I have tried an MP power head I guess there is no going back to other wave makers and especially to constant flow power heads.
Guess it is like starting with VHO, then PC moving on to T5 and finally the ultimate lighting, MH. You can never go back to anything else and if you try you will never truly be satisfied.

then would the concensess be that these are vastly superior to closed loops due to pulsewave funtion. or is it there simplisity and low run cost that wins out. leaving closed loops better but not worth the extra time & and efort (+cost).

Mine works fine. LIke the other poster said, you have to dial it in. At any rate, when you crank that baby up, it gets a little loud and the vibration is apparent. But if you set it at 50%, there's still a lot of water movement.

mine seems to be pretty quite at 100%. My fan on the lighting unit is louder. maybe you don't have the prop centered to the motor?

I know after using the MP I will probably never be satisfied with anything else. At least nothing on the market so far.

are these thing supposed to be nosiy at high speeds? mine makes a whir and you can feel the vibratuib

nope its not. I have an MP20 in my 29 g mixed reef and its just right. And if you ever want a bigger tank you would just get the upgrade kit from MP20-40. I cant imagine the mp10 giving you enough flow for SPS in a 30" long tank. Get the MP20 you'll thank yourself later.

Has anyone put a MP10 in a JBJ Pico yet?

Are these okay in a Biocube 29 and Nanocube 28 without the spacers?

mp10 would be fine for that tank.....it pushes a LOT of water!! don't underestimate it dude....I had one on a 35 cube and it pushed serious flow!!

Been a time since I added the 2 MP10s to my Finnex 30 gl.
Still going strong.
I have tried time and time again different settings, but always go back to the long-pulse wave. The corals seem to really love the back and forth sway.
SPS are mostly always with extended polyps and zoanthids seem in heaven swaying to and fro.
Really glad I made the investment, though I am still paying for them. They are well worth it and the only type of in tank power head I will ever use again.

I love it and i dont even have it yet.

I will be adding one of these to my BC29 next week I guess. Do you know, will the battery back up work with the 10 or no?

yes

Definitely interested in the mp10, but not sold yet. Can the "dry" side work underwater as well. I want to put it behind the false wall of a NC. I read this thread and kinda understood that it cannot. Is this correct?

Thanks!!!!

Had mine for 2 weeks and just love it running it on short pulse mode in a 12 gallon.

Is there a way to turn it off without unplugging it ? this would help with water changes

Do not at any time get the Dry side wet. It will cause lots of problems with the motor. Same goes for the control box. Salt water and electronics make for a bad mix.

can u seal it off in a acrylic air tight box?

No. The air cools the motor passively. I have thought of how to get it into the back chambers and all I can think of is to make a U shaped channel for the dry side to sit down in. This way you can still get to it and the air will too. The manual says it needs some clearence around the dry side for heat dissipation.

wat about putting it in a box with the top open and submerged? but enough so water doesnt get inside the box?

i guess im trying too hard now...

Kinda like a U shaped channel. A box with an open top.

K. That's what I gathered, but good to KNOW before I go out and but one. I'll Probably still get one, but I will have to place it somewhere else.

I turn the MP10 "off" by following half the Night Mode sequence. Hold the 'set' & 'mode' buttons for 3 secs or until you get the alternating red...blue...white LED pattern. Now leave it. The pump will not be running. When you are ready to run the pump again, just press the 'set' button once. The pump will then resume with it's sweet, sweet flow.

Recently got the MP10 for my 28 gallon.
So far so good but not super impressed. I probably am not using it to the best of its ability so only time will tell.

Try the short pulse mode where it flashes blue and green if you haven't already.

I just had to laugh when you asked if you could get the dry side wet. Hint dryside.

I was the same way and posted just that when I first got mine.
But after playing with it and seeing the results on the corals and fish now I will never own anything else but an MP powerhead.

Does anyone with a 12 gallon nano have any pictures or videos to share? It would help me out with the choice.

Thanks

Good reading here

Will be getting one for my RSM