EcoTech VorTech Powerhead

[tropicana]

What is everyones opinions on these?

heres one on Ebay for $385 + $12 shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ecotech-Marine-V...QQcmdZViewItem

[ErikH]

If you can afford it get it.

[SoLiD]

I'd rather have a Tunze Wavebox.

[mikedelgado]

I have one.

dislikes: not even close to the flow of a tunze stream, I have an early one that isnt wireless I hear it is expensive to upgrade.It has a speed controller but you cant bounce it from hi to low like a tunze. I hear the wet side wears out parts often but mine has never acted up , I purchased it when they first became available, so its been in use awhile, it was noisy at 1st

likes: It does move quite a bit of water. It just does it in a wider stream which doesnt feel as powerful as a tunze. It does seem to fluff the water better close to the wall it is mounted to. Dead spot directly beneath the pump much less w vortec. It takes up way less space inside tank, but you will have a unsightly motor mounted outside the tank. I also like the battery backup . lifesaver in a power failure

hope that helps

[wesheltonj]

I have 3 on my tank. I upgraded all 3 to the "wireless" (they "talk" to each other wireless, its not a wireless remote that you hold in your hand). The wireless you can run from high to low, tidal pool, wave, sync and anti-sync. The upgrade price for the old ones is $100.

They are best on the side wall of the tank. Thats where I had them, but did not like the look so I got the third and placed all three on the back wall. You cannot use these on 1" tanks or a Oceanic Tech tanks.

They have a $10 bearing that needs to be replaced depending on use. If they are set at high (that 3000 GPH), its yearly. If you run them all the time at low, then never.

There is comming out in a few months an upgraded wet side magnet (to be rust and pit free, I have not seen anything exposed to salt water that is rust & pit free, but we will see what the "special coating" is). Another upgrade expense, maybe.

As for the one you are looking at on e-bay thats $397 total, a good price if truely brand new. They are $420 at Marine Depot. Its even a better deal, as it has a wet side foam cover. Those are sold in three packs for $15.

[tropicana]

Thanks for the Info. When I upgrade to a Larger tank, I have decided I want to upgrade to these from Koralias. My main Like is to get the Electronics OUT of the water just in case. I want EVERYTHING out of water. I dont mind it running through an external pump which is better incase of shorting. Those are my main worries. I love my Koralias, but they are still kinda big.

[Ping]

may be of interest.

http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=36712