MP10 ES Vs Tunze 6055...Decisions Decisions

[Palmer]

Here's a vid of the MP10W on a 37 G aquarium. The person that made the vid cycled through the different modes to show the sound for each. After looking at this it seems like the Reef crest mode which i use on the 40 is the least oppressive lol... But at least this gives you an idea of what it sounds like


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cI_BG2sUZw


Here's a pretty nice wave made on a 36" 30 G tank..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3RYioaSFvI

[viperfish]

I have a 6055 in my RSM and MP40 in my 150 SPS tank, IMO you can't beat the build quality of Tunze. The option of choosing the direction of flow is definitely a plus for the Tunze. I do like my MP40 and feature wise it's no different than the MP10. My MP40 does a good Job but a couple of larger Tunzes with a controller would be just as good. I haven't had my MP40 for that long so I can't speak for longevity but I do know it's damn near impossible to kill a Tunze. I guess my point is that MP10, MP40, and MP60 have become a bit of a status thing in this hobby and IMO the equally capable Tunze PH's don't get enough credit.

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I have a 6055 in my RSM and MP40 in my 150 SPS tank, IMO you can't beat the build quality of Tunze. The option of choosing the direction of flow is definitely a plus for the Tunze. I do like my MP40 and feature wise it's no different than the MP10. My MP40 does a good Job but a couple of larger Tunzes with a controller would be just as good. I haven't had my MP40 for that long so I can't speak for longevity but I do know it's damn near impossible to kill a Tunze. I guess my point is that MP10, MP40, and MP60 have become a bit of a status thing in this hobby and IMO the equally capable Tunze PH's don't get enough credit.

No disagreement on the quality of the Tunze's. My only real complaint is that I "think" that the Tunze might have too much of a concentrated stream of water. Maybe swapping the 6045 out for a second 6055 and setting them up to complement each other would be the fix I'm looking for to get that randomized chaotic flow in the tank...

It'd be nice if stores would actually set-up and showcase the products they sell so people wouldn't be stuck buying blind. I'd love to Hear one in action!

[xblade]

I'm running an MP 10 and a MP 40 ,both WES...Have never run a Tunze, so I know nothing about them.
I love my MP's so far.My tank has improved alot since installation.The fish and coral are loving them too.
I have them synced up at either end of my 77, and they do a great job.
I have them 7" down on both sides and still get some great wave action.They are a little noisy for sure,but not too crazy IMO( I acually find my mp 10 more anoying).Some settings are a little more anoying than others,but you can adj power down a little for more quiet operation as well.
I think 1 MP 10 would do your tank no prob.But 2 would be much better as you could dial down on the power for longer life and quieter operation
Reef crest is my fav as well

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Yes they are loud but that can be fixed but it will void your warranty. I have a couple of sets of bearings ordered so as soon as they arrive my warranty will be shot.

Please share more about this? I've only had my Vortechs for a month or so and had no idea they could be modded. I would love them to be quiet.

What should I google?

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

My only real complaint is that I "think" that the Tunze might have too much of a concentrated stream of water.

You can mod the Tunze powerheads by cutting the flow director and making it shorter. This creates a wider flow pattern similar to the Vortechs. It doesn't even void the warranty. If you ever want to change it back, you just buy a new casing.

- Brad

[Ken]

Hi, I have been using Tunze for years, products are great and never had any issues of breaking down, in fact I never clean any of my Tunze streams and they still perform, thought about the ecotech but given the history of noise and support, we'll see. I do like the wireless idea though, and the fact that you don't have the cable submerged in the tank. So for me its the Tunze. Regards Ken...oh maybe I'll clean the Tunze and probsbly get a better flow action .

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Please share more about this? I've only had my Vortechs for a month or so and had no idea they could be modded. I would love them to be quiet.

What should I google?



You can mod the Tunze powerheads by cutting the flow director and making it shorter. This creates a wider flow pattern similar to the Vortechs. It doesn't even void the warranty. If you ever want to change it back, you just buy a new casing.

- Brad

I got this from Bluetang<3. Also Christy tried this but had a little mishap.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1901337

[DiverDude]

That thread is about replacing worn bearings. If you have a new unit, the noise it makes is the noise it makes (although it may just be that the bearing quality used is not very good and putting better ones will make it more quiet).

I too am torn on the wavebox vs MP40 decision. The wavebox is overpriced (as is all Tunze stuff but the quality and durability is impressive. The Vertex units have great features but to make the most of them, you need 2 or more and at THAT price, the wavebox becomes a deal. Add to that the fact that it's pretty much a given that the bearings in the wetside will need replacing at some point and I'm leaning towards the wavebox -or perhaps even a DIY version.

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I got this from Bluetang<3. Also Christy tried this but had a little mishap.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1901337

[Madreefer]

The only noise my vortechs makes is from the dryside. There was no noise when I first got the first one, after a month of use I started to hear it from 30 ft away. So if you want to call it worn out bearings so be it. I call it chitty bearings. I bought a used one and I can hear it from the same distance now as well. Trying to get warranty in Canada is an absolute joke so rather than go threw all the bullchit like myself and others have had than I would recommend you do it yourself if the dryside starts to irritate you. Like I said earlier I really like the Vortechs and all of the features that they come with. But for $1000 for 2 pumps you really should'nt hear the pumps over the surround sound TV's in most peoples home. Alot of guys say that they only hear the whirr of the wetside, not in my case and i'm hard of hearing to begin with. It's happened with 2 out of the 3 pumps i've experienced. Sorry not trying to turn this in to a rant, just trying to help out.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by DiverDude

I too am torn on the wavebox vs MP40 decision. The wavebox is overpriced (as is all Tunze stuff but the quality and durability is impressive. The Vertex units have great features but to make the most of them, you need 2 or more and at THAT price, the wavebox becomes a deal. Add to that the fact that it's pretty much a given that the bearings in the wetside will need replacing at some point and I'm leaning towards the wavebox -or perhaps even a DIY version.

Waves are supplemental flow. The interesting thing is that they are virtually unaffected by whatever crazy flow patterns your powerheads create. A wave by itself would not create the flow required for a healthy high flow system.

For pure wave generation, you can't beat a wavebox. It is purpose built for generating waves, and it works very well. The trouble with using Vortechs for waves is that you can't use them for waves and flow at the same time. You could rotate through modes, but you can't do both things at the same time.

Ideally, you would have a wave system and powerheads. The wave system could be a wavebox or two Vortechs. If you go the Vortech route, this implies an ideal minimum of 4 Vortechs - two for waves and two for flow. However, if you put 4 Vortechs in your tank, there are much more interesting things you can do with them other than waves and random flow. My guess is that with four Vortechs you would give up on the wave and setup another type of flow dynamic. While possible, I don't think many Vortech owners actually use them to create a sustained wave.

The only thing I don't like about the Tunze waveboxes is that they are louder than I expected. I'm not sure if I have mine installed wrong, but it is slightly louder than my Vortechs.

At the end of the day, if you want a wave then use a wavebox. Building a wavebox into your tank design is actually fairly easy to do and may help conceal the box, but it's not a big money saver - you still need the pump and controller and may end up buying a Tunze wavebox just to get the parts. If your not trying to be creative in concealing the box, then just buy the Tunze.

- Brad