VorTech Propeller Pump [Archive]

NaCl_H2O

Sat, 14th Jan 2006, 09:59 PM

Interesting new product! Has anyone researched these yet?

http://www.ecotechmarine.com/products/vortech.htm

Gabe at Alamo showed me an add in a recent magazine (don't remember which one?). If I understand it, the motor is on the outside of the glass, with magnetic connection to the propeller housing inside the tank. Also can run on batteries during power outages. I imagine it is limited in glass thickness it can be used with?

Very interesting ... they might get rich!!!

thedude

Sat, 14th Jan 2006, 10:05 PM

I saw a video Marc from dfwmas took of them at MACNA this past year. You should be able to find it in his MACNA coverage at his site. www.melevsreef.com

I think they look spectacular and are a great idea. The only problem I have is that they're going to look pretty ugly sticking off the sides of your tank.

brewercm

Sat, 14th Jan 2006, 10:49 PM

Looks like it would be great to sit in the back behind the rocks.

SBreef

Sat, 14th Jan 2006, 11:08 PM

The are a couple of huge threads on RC about this. It is under the Ice cap forum. Eco marine and Ice cap are working together on this. No price as of yet. Suppose to be only a few dollars cheaper than a tunze.

TheOtherGuy

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 09:56 AM

I saw this mentioned sometime ago. And what Roy said above IceCap and EcoMarine are working on bringing it to the market. It does look pretty neat and would be nice to get some water movement lower in the tank. This thing falls squarely into the category of "Why didn't I think of that?". I hope they work well and I would rather they invest the $$$ and make them reliable and of better quality eventhough that would drive the cost up.

GaryP

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:04 AM

OK, let me be the skeptic here. What do you do when this need needs to be cleaned or replaced? Drain the tank? I don't think so.

Pumps = pressure change = increased scaling = decreased efficiency = eventual failure = need for maintenance and replacement.

I see an unfortunate trend towards really good ideas for products straight out of the box, but with a lack of consideration for the long term maintenance requirements. Is it just me, or does anyone else see this?

TheOtherGuy

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:17 AM

GaryP

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:21 AM

Exactly! That's why you will rarely see me jump on the latest and greatest product to hit the market unless someone can show me some independent data supporting the manufacturers claims. Since that rarely happens, I'll let other people spend their money to figure out if they work or not. As an example, when was the last time you heard anyone talking about how great Pinpoint's calcium monitor is?

TheOtherGuy

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:24 AM

But, ya know, if not too expensive Richard or I will be getting one to check it out though! Always curious...........

GaryP

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:30 AM

But, ya know, if not too expensive Richard or I will be getting one to check it out though! Always curious...........

That's why I luv you guys.

NaCl_H2O

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:56 AM

OK, let me be the skeptic here. What do you do when this need needs to be cleaned or replaced? Drain the tank? I don't think so.
The way I understand it, it is just like a Mag float cleaner ... just grab the outside unit, slide it up the glass & remove - plus you get the plus of cleaning the glass at the same time ;)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna go order 20 of them, but would like to hear more ;)

TheOtherGuy

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:59 AM

Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna go order 20 of them, but would like to hear more ;)

You are gonna need like 40 of them! For all those tanks! :P

GaryP

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 10:59 AM

Ohhhh, its inductively powered? Cool. I looked at it and it appeared to have a seals like a bulkhead fitting, so I assumed it had to be drilled.

NaCl_H2O

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 11:04 AM

Ohhhh, its inductively powered? Cool. I looked at it and it appeared to have a seals like a bulkhead fitting, so I assumed it had to be drilled.
Yea, "Look Mom, no Holes, no wires in the tank, put 'em anywhere" - I agree this is a good example of "Why didn't I think of that". Even if these aren't good products, the concept could result in better ones. If they are even close in performance to a Tunze, they could get a big market share!

GaryP

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 11:10 AM

Put one "DUH!!!" next to my name.

Richard

Sun, 15th Jan 2006, 03:43 PM

But, ya know, if not too expensive Richard or I will be getting one to check it out though! Always curious...........

LOL...it's already on my list. That's why I haven't bought another Tunze. Just waiting for them to come out and get at least a few reviews on rc. I don't like to be in the very first guinea pig group.

brewercm

Mon, 16th Jan 2006, 11:27 PM

I have to say I was reading Gary's post and had to go look at it again. :huh
I thought originally the add said it was held on like a mag-float, then I read what Gary wrote and took it like Gary that it was drilled through. :huh :huh

Then I went back and read the ad again, back to step one now. :huh :huh :huh

Then I read the rest of the thread and feel much better now. :D

Dozer

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 03:36 PM

I also am very interested in these! In fact I may hold off on my closed loop project so I can go this route instead. Can't wait until they are available.

JimD

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 06:56 PM

$395-$495! Could get kinda pricey on a large system! Like the concept though.

NaCl_H2O

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 07:51 PM

$395-$495!
:o :blink Uh, I think I will give them a litle time to recoup their R&D investment on someone else :blink

GaryP

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 09:47 PM

$395-$495!
:o :blink Uh, I think I will give them a litle time to recoup their R&D investment on someone else :blink

Yea, the development of the electric motor and magnets is really cutting edge, isn't it? I'm holding out for the one that is powered by a windmill. Real high tech stuff.

Dozer

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 10:33 PM

yeah I thought someone said early in the thread they would be a little cheaper than the Tunze's. Where did the other dollar figures come from? Was it on the website somewhere?

TheOtherGuy

Tue, 17th Jan 2006, 11:45 PM

GaryP

Wed, 18th Jan 2006, 08:23 AM

If you need a second mortage to pay for them, let me know.

Andrew

Fri, 20th Jan 2006, 12:19 PM

I'll take half of one, that's what, $247.50?

GaryP

Fri, 20th Jan 2006, 02:36 PM

Do you want the inside or outside half?

Richard

Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 01:56 AM

OK I guess I'll be waiting to see if the price comes down. That's way too much for a powerhead.

$495 and it will probably come with a stupid three foot power cord like most other things. I hate that!

GaryP

Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 06:20 AM

That would pay for an awful lot of Maxijets.

LoneStar

Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 10:59 AM

I think I'll stick with Tunze powerheads.

Andrew

Mon, 23rd Jan 2006, 12:17 PM

Do you want the inside or outside half?

Probably the outside half: the inside half looks easier to make.lol.

don-n-sa

Tue, 31st Jan 2006, 06:08 PM

Check the video's out...man they look like they put out some serious flow!!!!

http://www.icecapinc.com/video.htm

LoneStar

Tue, 31st Jan 2006, 07:32 PM

I wonder what sort of EMI/EMC interferance it might present. :unsure Nice flow though...Would be great to slide them down to those hard to reach spots behing rockwork and corners. Looks like it will be hard to adjust it at a angle (like positioning in corner to the front of the tank).

GaryP

Tue, 31st Jan 2006, 08:02 PM

That's to much flow for those leathers. I bet they are kicking out a ton of toxins. I made that mistake with my monster toadstool once. The tank nearly crashed. That was just with maxijets.

LoneStar

Tue, 31st Jan 2006, 08:06 PM

Maybe they used a leather tank to show the flow of the water back and forth but who knows :roll

don-n-sa

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 08:28 PM

Ok...they will be out next month!!

this site is taking orders for them already...
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=600

These really seem that they will be awesome!!

fully controllable
no heat transfer at all since the pump is on the outside of the tank

don-n-sa

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 08:59 PM

oh and Brian....you think you have flow now... how about 30,000gph :skeezy

The EcoTech Wave Controller will wirelessly control up to 10 VorTech Propeller Pumps with an intuitive user interface while creating optimal flow using wave motion algorithms

Sorry Christina... :lol

Marlin

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 09:29 PM

Is $50 the full price or is that just a partial payment to reserve one?

don-n-sa

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 09:31 PM

oh no...thats the price to reserve one

I am guessing that it will be in the $350 range, which is pretty steep, but they will sell though

man , if they could make one of those and sell them for $50 they would not be able to keep up with demand

NaCl_H2O

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 09:49 PM

These could really take off! Anybody got some reserved? Any LFSs??

We need a Demo at a MAAST meeting :D

fishypets

Tue, 21st Mar 2006, 11:45 PM

I'll let you know when mine comes in. :D

aquadoc

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 01:10 AM

Fishy what are you goingto do drill your tank on the side? They look kind of obtrusive from the side and would take away from the tank itself. I would be cool if it was a magnet type deal, butt drilling it/ Like someone mentioned earlier about the fact of not being able to adjust the angle of the flow.

NaCl_H2O

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 01:13 AM

I would be cool if it was a magnet type deal
It is :w00t

aquadoc

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 01:25 AM

If it is a magnet then I guess I am in. Fishy lets order together and save shipping.

fishypets

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 07:18 AM

If it is a magnet then I guess I am in. Fishy lets order together and save shipping.

Send me your 50 and I will update the order. I have the perfect spot for one behind my wavebox so it can't be seen. It will be in the direct path of my tables. 8)

Dozer

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 10:42 AM

I'd like to get in on the order too guys if that's cool and I live near Cedar Park.

I will also report back to the board about how well they work.

don-n-sa

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 10:53 AM

I'd like to get in on the order too guys if that's cool and I live near Cedar Park.

I will also report back to the board about how well they work.

please do!

has any body heard on the price yet??

fishypets

Wed, 22nd Mar 2006, 11:42 AM

Total before the $8.00 dollar shipping fee is $345.00 He expects them to ship out the first of April.

Bug_Power

Sat, 8th Apr 2006, 01:54 AM

shipped??

Richard

Sat, 8th Apr 2006, 02:03 AM

I was thinking about getting one but have decided to save my pennies for a Tunze Wavebox.

fishypets

Sat, 8th Apr 2006, 06:54 AM

shipped??

I think later this month from what Ice Cap is saying.

fishypets

Sat, 8th Apr 2006, 06:55 AM

I was thinking about getting one but have decided to save my pennies for a Tunze Wavebox.

Good choice ;)

Marlin

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 06:59 PM

I got my VorTech propeller pump in and set it up last Friday. By Wednesday it stopped working. I called customer service and they tried unsuccessfully to trouble shoot it over the phone. They asked me to ship it back to the factory and they will repair or replace it. I'll keep you all posted on how this goes.
Has anyone else got one and if so, how's it working?

TexasTodd

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 07:18 PM

That doesn't sound good at all!

Bummer.

TT

fishypets

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 07:23 PM

Yeah that stinks. I may ask for a refund. Other that it stopped working how did it perform?

Marlin

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 08:01 PM

It worked great for the four days. I was real happy with it til it died.

fishypets

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 08:07 PM

Did they offer you a refund?

aquadoc

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 08:11 PM

That sucks. :sick

LoneStar

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 08:14 PM

Don't you just hate that cra* Spend some good coin on something that just breaks a few days later. Keep us informed on what they do to fix it or replace it.

Marlin

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 08:36 PM

No, they did not offer a refund. I didn't ask for one because the pump worked super for several days. It has a wide range of speed control and even at the low speed, it had great flow. Hopefully it was just a fluke. If I do not get good service from them or the replacement/repaired pump also fails, then I will ask for my money back.
I really hope they can get me one that lasts, I liked it while it lasted.

LoneStar

Thu, 20th Apr 2006, 09:08 PM

Were you able to pick up any of the accessories for it yet?

Marlin

Fri, 21st Apr 2006, 09:37 AM

No accessories available yet

Dozer

Fri, 21st Apr 2006, 09:45 AM

sorry to hear that too. I've got a deposit on one but haven't gotten it yet.

LoneStar

Fri, 21st Apr 2006, 10:29 AM

So is the speed control a manual switch you adjust on the back side of the pump? Websites that post this product are not to informative on them. The wireless wavemaker and battery back up system looks very nice. But I have not seen prices on them just yet.

Marlin

Fri, 21st Apr 2006, 11:15 AM

The speed control is in a small control box that houses the electronics. It is a potentiometer that you turn to vary the speed to whatever you want 100 g/hr to 3000 g/hr. I mounted it in the canapy. It has an electrical cable approx. 8' long that goes from the control bos to the external motor assembly.

Marlin

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 10:06 AM

Just an update on my VorTech pump. I recieved an E-mail from VorTech yesterday saying that they are going to overnight ship a replacement pump to me this week.
They also said that their testing shows that the thrust washers should last up to ten years of normal running. That's good news!
I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
Has anyone else received their pumps yet?

fishypets

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 10:08 AM

I have not gotten mine yet. I was told the first of April then the end of April and I am still waiting :(

LoneStar

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 10:10 AM

Who all has ordered them?

Fishypets, are you adding this in addition to your Tunze Streams and the Wavebox?

fishypets

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 10:27 AM

Yep I have a few weak spots that need help.

LoneStar

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 12:17 PM

So why this pump rather than another Tunze?

fishypets

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 12:26 PM

I like the motor on the outside of the tank to help with heat.

LoneStar

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 12:39 PM

Ah ok. But with the Tunzes, there is very minimal heat created from the pumps. I like the sleaker design of the VorTech. The only downside is no wave making option at the moment.

fishypets

Tue, 2nd May 2006, 12:47 PM

I just need something to blast the middle section of the tank where I have a few tables. The wave box maxes a good wavy motion.

Marlin

Wed, 10th May 2006, 12:43 PM

Finally got the pump back from VorTech at about 9:30 last night. It was too late to install it so I will get it going tonight.
They promised me one day turn around on it and it took over a week before they shipped it back to me.
I'll keep everyone posted on how this one does. Hopefully it will work for a long time.

LoneStar

Wed, 10th May 2006, 05:26 PM

Take a photo, if your able to, of it installed in your tank. Inside and out :)

discuspro

Wed, 10th May 2006, 06:52 PM

Anyone get thier Vortech yet?

Marlin

Thu, 11th May 2006, 11:12 AM

OK, I installed the new pump last night. All is working well so far. There is a 48 hour break-in period for the thrust washer to wear in and seat itself. It's a little noisey at first, but it goes away after a couple of days.
I'll try to get some photos and post them.

Marlin

Mon, 15th May 2006, 10:09 PM

The pump is still running good. It has quieted down and must be almost thru the break-in period. Here are the photos as promised.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h108/2marlin_bucket/VorTechpump0003.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h108/2marlin_bucket/VorTechpump0002.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h108/2marlin_bucket/VorTechpump0001.jpg

cpreefguy

Tue, 16th May 2006, 12:15 AM

How is the flow? It looks cool!!!

Marlin

Tue, 16th May 2006, 08:36 AM

The flow is awsome. Variable speed from 100 g/hr to 3000 g/hr. It's a nice wide angle flow that disperses the output over a wide area. No direct stream. When I turn this thing up to full speed, it starts to move some of the live rock that's near it. It's powerfull. No way can I run this anywhere near full speed in my 77 gal tank.

LoneStar

Tue, 16th May 2006, 10:07 AM

Thanks for posting the photos.

Other than Melev, I haven't seen alot of photos of it in action. They got the videos online, but I guess it does not show its full effect.

But...I'm still not sold on the unit. It's still too new and I would like to get some sort of price estimate on the wavemaker and possibly the battery back-up accessories it has. I would rather integrate another Tunze 6000 and up, with a multicontroller, before I would go get the VorTech.

Marlin

Thu, 25th May 2006, 09:06 AM

VorTech update

Replacement pump is still running good. Love the flow.

don-n-sa

Mon, 5th Jun 2006, 01:02 PM

Marlin, I am considering ordering one of these...premium aquatics is getting the new version with the better impeller sometime in the next few weeks. In doing some research I heard of another possible problem.
How hot is the pump side getting?
I talked to someone who got one to try a while back and he said it was so hot that you couldn't even touch it. With kids that would be a concern. PLease let me know, thanks!

Marlin

Mon, 5th Jun 2006, 01:47 PM

I haven't experienced any heating up issue. The motor runs relatively cool. It's just warm to the touch, not what I would consider hot. I was not aware that they are coming out with an improved version. What is the change that they are doing. Mine is still running good. It just took a few days for the thrust washer to seat itself and now it's running quietly.

don-n-sa

Mon, 5th Jun 2006, 04:52 PM

I was not aware that they are coming out with an improved version. What is the change that they are doing.

It has a better impeller is all that I was told. What color was the impeller on the one you sent back? What color is the impeller on the one you have now?

Marlin

Tue, 6th Jun 2006, 08:05 AM

Both are black. BTW, I checked the motor yesterday and I would say it's running only a few degrees above room temperature. I do have it set at low speed so maybe if I ran at higher speed it would get hotter. I can't run it much above low speed in my 77 gal or there would be a sand storm.