Tunze or vortech pump

gordypoo · #1 08-10-2008, 01:56 AM

Which one are you using and would perform better with the different settings?

Stones · #2 08-10-2008, 05:13 AM

I'm running two vortechs in my 90 gallon sps reef and love them. That is when they are actually running. Lets just say the nylon drive shafts don't get along too well with sugar sand.... I've had to order replacement parts for them several times in the 2 years that I've owned them which is my only complaint I would have.

I just upgraded them to all Gen 2 parts and already I've noticed they run quiter and will hopefully outlast their gen 1 predecessors. The options available for random circulation or wave generation are truly amazing. Now with the gen 2 programming, they have added even more wave modes, as well as a night mode. Plus, they take up relatively very little space in the tank and add no heat. That said, they can be a bit of a PITA to align and need to be cleaned more often than a tunze in order to run hassle free.

gordypoo · #3 08-10-2008, 07:50 AM

Ok not knowing a lot about these pumps is the new and improved model which it states on the J&L website include the Gen 2 upgrade. Does it inculude the MP40 watt? Little confused thanks.

Stones · #4 08-10-2008, 01:58 PM

I believe the "new & improved" vortech pumps being sold should have the gen 2 magnet, drive shaft, and wave driver programming. I'd be sure to check with the retailer prior to ordering just to be sure. If it is not the gen 2, you have to find someone locally to flash your wave driver to upgrade its firmware, or you have to send it in to ecotech which will set you back ~$50 canadian for shipping to and from here. The gen 2 magnet, drive shaft, and wet frame back kit costs $9.85 directly from ecotech and shipping is cheap if you are just shipping replacement parts.

fkshiu · #5 08-10-2008, 04:39 PM

I love my Tunzes, but I don't think you can go wrong with either the fixed gen2 vortechs or tunzes. It's more a matter of style.

You can aim tunzes (almost anywhere with the Stream 2s coming out), but not vortechs.

Vortechs are lower profile than tunzes.

rockworm · #6 08-10-2008, 05:39 PM

I use the Tunze 6101's and 6055's. If you plan on using a controller, these integrate perfectly into the Profilux and you don not need the Tunze controller.

As said though, you cannot go wrong with either.

albert_dao · #7 08-12-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I love my Tunzes, but I don't think you can go wrong with either the fixed gen2 vortechs or tunzes. It's more a matter of style.

You can aim tunzes (almost anywhere with the Stream 2s coming out), but not vortechs.

Vortechs are lower profile than tunzes.

You don't need to aim Vortechs. The damn output stream is like 20", haha.

mike31154 · #8 09-09-2008, 05:34 PM

No experience with Tunze but I've been running a VorTech MP40W on my 75 since April of this year with no issues. It's certainly audible at full speed but unless you're a real quiet freak, most daily ambient sounds will drown it out. Not for those with tanks in their bedroom I guess, but having the electrics outside of the tank is a huge plus to me and a fair trade-off for some motor noise. For those with smaller tanks there will be less noise since you'll likely be running it at a lower power setting. Excellent flow, when I removed it last week, 3 AquaClear powerheads couldn't come close to replacing the VorTech's water movement.

Mine has the original magnet and I haven't flashed the firmware with the Gen 2 update. Tried to do so while visiting J&L in Vancouver several weeks ago, but the folks in there at the time had no clue what I was talking about. Prior to re-installing I decided to dismantle the wet side for inspection & clean up. For having run 24/7 for six months it looked very good, just a light dusting of rust on the magnet which was easily wiped off. Reassembled, installed and ran as smooth as before.

Now for the not so good news. I ordered the new plastic magnet kit directly from EcoTech in early July. Just under US 20 bucks including shipping & handling which is quite reasonable IMO. Trouble is, the first shipment never arrived. I emailed them after a few weeks wondering what's up and after another week or so they were kind enough to expedite another kit at no extra charge. The second kit finally arrived last week but the magnet had evidently been attracted to some machinery at Canada Post and had a chunk chafed out of it! Canada Post repackaged it complete with a letter of apology for the damage. I suspect the first shipment met a similar fate and disappeared into a black hole at a postal processing facility. I emailed EcoTech with my saga and suggested they need to shield the magnet somehow to prevent this kind of damage at the mail sorting facility. The kit had been packaged in a padded envelope with the components inside protected with additional bubble wrap. Not bad, but evidently insufficient to keep the magnet from getting stuck on a rotating, metallic conveyor part or something.
So now it's Tuesday and I'm waiting hear from EcoTech as to the next step...

Stones · #9 09-09-2008, 08:17 PM

I ordered two gen 2 magnet kits directly from ecotech as well, but didn't run into the canada post problems as you have. Both magnets came packaged the same as yours but unscathed from shipping damage.

I'll also add that since swapping out the old magnets with the gen 2 kit, noise generation has decreased significantly and lining up the wet face with the external driver no longer takes brain surgeon like precsion. With the gen 1 magnets, I used to spend upwards of an hour trying to get the pumps to stop making vibrational noises...