Tunze Nano Wavebox or VorTech MP20?

[Chaloupa]

I've got the larger wavebox on my 150g tank and LOVE IT! It takes quite a bit of space up but for the wave action I wouldn't trade it! I bought mine after I saw Christy's in action...they're great.

[Myka]

Ok I watched some vids on YouTube of the VorTech's wave action. I think I'm sold. It does a pretty good job of making waves, $50 cheaper, less tank space, more versatile. That's enough reasons for me...

[fishytime]

If you want to go vortech do it soon.

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by fishytime

If you want to go vortech do it soon.

WHy is that? Got a little insider info?

[digital-audiophile]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

WHy is that? Got a little insider info?

Indeed... please share.

Price is going up I take it?

[banditpowdercoat]

Possibly no Canadian distributor, I heard.

[Myka]

That would suck.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by fishytime

If you want to go vortech do it soon.

Why do you say that??

Originally Posted by es355lucille

Myka, Have you given any thought to the noise factor? I am also looking at both Tunze and Vortech. Some say the Vortech Gen II are not as noisey as the first ones.

I have a new tank that will be in our living room. I love the vids of the Vortech MP40.......just don't want to have to "YELL" over the sound.

Thoughts? Anyone own a Vortech and think its noisey?

I thought the MP40's were the ones getting the noise complaints? I thought it was the MP20s that seem to have the kinks worked out...?

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by Myka

Why do you say that??



I thought the MP40's were the ones getting the noise complaints? I thought it was the MP20s that seem to have the kinks worked out...?

I've had an MP40W for about a year now & it is audible in the mode I'm running it in, long pulse at close to 100%. But I definitely do not have to yell to be heard around it, it's not that bad. Dialed down to less than say 80% it is considerably quieter. Depends a lot on ambient sound levels as well. I would not recommend it for folks with tanks in their bedroom unless they are sound sleepers. When I'm home, I'll often dial it down at night time.

I purchased the unit at J&L about a month before they redesigned the wet side magnet (last March/April). The original magnets had a poor coating which eventually leaked causing the magnet to rust. That's been fixed with the Gen 2 upgrade. There are several other minor upgrades to the Gen 2, but nothing to directly deal with the sound generated by the dry side motor. The motor is outside the tank, so sure you're going to hear it hum/buzz, there's no water to muffle the sound as with conventional power heads.

I have no experience with wave boxes, but the footprint inside the tank is sufficient reason for me to happily deal with a little noise from my MP40W, with the added benefit of no electrical cord in the water. After toying with the VorTech modes and making surface waves in my 75 using short pulse mode, I've found the long pulse mode much more natural in the flow it creates. I don't care to make a wave at the surface, to me it's more important what's happening below the surface. The VorTech creates a nice undertow which keeps detritus from settling on the substrate. Videos of 1 or 1.5 inch waves on the surface are great marketing tools to get peoples attention, but every tank is different and not everyone needs a wave at the surface to get the desired effect down under... that's where your livestock is.

Myka, the MP20 motor and wetside are identical to the MP40. The difference in the two is purely the power supply and the driver module. The MP20 is run at a lower speed than the MP40 and therefore makes less noise, not because of any kinks that have been worked out. Top speed is simply lower for an MP20. This is also why the MP20 can be upgraded to MP40 simply with the purchase of a kit consisting of a new power supply and driver module. Nothing needs to be done to the dry side motor or wet side.

I'm saving up for another MP40W.

[sitandwatch]

Wondering if there is enough interest in a group buy for some vortech's as that seems to be the way this thread it pointing?