vortech owners

[jc]

Does anyone here own two vortech mp40's? I was wondering if having two pumps in sync allows you to lower the pump speed since they are both sharing the workload. The reason I ask is because I must keep my pump speed at the maximum in pulse mode in order to create a wave. I'm hoping that using two pumps at lower speed will reduce the amount of noise from the pump. Has anyone tried one pump then switched to two?

[BIGBIRD123]

Jacob,
I can't help with this except to tell you I will find out soon. In March, I will be adding two MP40's and a Tunze Wavebox to my 280g. I did however, get some good advice yesterday from John @ Kingfish. He said that to reduce the friction from the water movement, have the vortechs on the same side to create circular motion in the tank instead of having them work towards each other. I will see soon...

Steve

[brewercm]

These are interesting thoughts because when I set up my 58 I had bought a pulse machine and only have one side that has a Maxijet mod kicking across and a little towards the front. On the other side I just have a regular Maxijet 1200 that shoots across the back of the rocks on the other side of the cycle.

So far I like the patter that this gives to the system where there's a push one direction for about six seconds then a break. I also have a SQWD running with two outlets on each side and I'm sure there is some different random action from that but so far I like the look it gives.

[rz1a]

the wave modes (blue) are overrated IMO. I have two MP40Ws on my 75g and have them both on reef crest mode and have them tuned down. I get virtually no noise from these pumps. You only start to hear the noise once you get close to 100%, mines dialed way back and still creates great flow. I think these powerheads are great.

I would definitely get 2 and install the controllers right next to each other so they can communicate. I have them both on the orange mode (not sure if thats sync or anti-sync, i forget).

If you're still into creating that wave, especially seeing the corals rock back and forth quickly, go with a tunze wavebox. Makes me nauseous to see the tunze wavebox work, but looks like it does its job.

I think the pink mode in anti-sync is better than the blue mode. You can create a gyre effect in the tank if you set it up properly.

[jc]

Thanks for the advice. I do like the rhythmic movement from the wave mode, but the noise is getting annoying. These pumps are expensive so it will be a long time before I can get another to experiment with. What mode do you all think gives the best circulation? I am going to try reef crest for a while.

[wesheltonj]

I have three on my tank, but no I am not making waves, I have them on the back of the tank not the sides. I have mine position at different heights and spots and different flow rates.