Which to get Vortech pump MP20 or Tunze ?

[robert J]

I appreciate for all of this useful information. At least now I know I don't want to have a wavebox anymore. Just one more question, my tank is only 70gallons with 36" long. If I only use 1x Vortech MP20 in my tank alone may not be enough because according to Delphinus, sps corals need water to turn over at least 40 times. With Vortech MP40, do you think I will get overflow from that much strong flow with a short tank like mine. And if I get Tunze, what model do you think is the right one for my tank. I only can afford to buy just 1 for now with the one controllable with a single controller.

[andestang]

If you are just getting started and need to spread your money around for other equipment, I would for the money get a Hydor Korlia Wavemaker Controller and a couple of their power heads, that would be just over $500 But you would at least have two pumps, versus one pump for about the same in the Vortech or Tunze (controlled units) Or cheaper yet get the Red Sea WaveMaster Pro / Maxijet Powerhead Package (4 power heads) for $300 and put a couple of upgrade kits on 2 of the powerheads ($50 for 2) Then down the road upgrade to what you really want.

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by robert J

I appreciate for all of this useful information. At least now I know I don't want to have a wavebox anymore. Just one more question, my tank is only 70gallons with 36" long. If I only use 1x Vortech MP20 in my tank alone may not be enough because according to Delphinus, sps corals need water to turn over at least 40 times. With Vortech MP40, do you think I will get overflow from that much strong flow with a short tank like mine. And if I get Tunze, what model do you think is the right one for my tank. I only can afford to buy just 1 for now with the one controllable with a single controller.

Fkshiu here you are

[fkshiu]

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.

Anyway, on a 70 gallon 3'-long tank the most economical Tunze option would be one 6055 Nanostream with a single controller. The price would be almost identical to a Vortech MP20 and once you do a 2-minute mod to the shroud, output will almost be identical as well.

Smart placement of the 6055 and your live rock would be key. Having a Gyre setup (think a whirlpool) leaving some open space around all sides of the live rock would be perfect.

I ran a 6-foot long (~120 gallon) mixed reef with nothing but an old Tunze 6000 Stream (which doesn't have much more output than a 6055) and about 400 gph from my return pump in a Gyre setup.

[robert J]

I went to J&L today to look at their display tank, I didn't hear the noise from the Vortech pump may be the store was so noisy from the background, but the waves go back and forth in the tank and makes big sloshing sounds when the water goes down to the overflow box. I have an overflow box too but it is extremely quiet because water is going down constantly. Thanks Fkshiu, I am going to get Tunze 6055 with a single controller even though my wife likes Vortech more the way it looks ... Ha ... what a big relief for me to finish the wife's demanding Christmas gift ... Oh wait ... looking for a skimmer is the next one, I may have to open a new thread for that. Thanks all of you who took your time to help me out with all my questions. I greatly appreciate it because I know nothing about the fish tank. My wife owns the tank and that is her hobbies, not mine, but if anything goes wrong it will be my fault as usual Hope this time I get the right one for her.