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vortech mp10w es vs. mp40w es for 70g cube

V

vangoghfish

Some input here please, some say get a mp40 should do the job for mixed reef, may end up all sps, some say get 2 x mp10w es, I have an mp10, and though about using one mp10 and one mp40, how about some feedback here:
A. one mp10 plus one mp40
B. two mp10s
C. just one mp40
For a 30x30x18 70g cube
I will have an awaki 30rxt return pump, for flow also.
Thanks.
 
qwik

qwik

I had two 40's on my 65 and never could use all there power. I would go with two mp10's . You will have all the flow you need and there not that big so they can be hidden better. I just picked up one for my 60 cube and will end up with two in the future. Best power heads ever in my opinion.
 
NikkiT

NikkiT

I do not have that large of a tank, but i do have a 45g Cube with a vortech. Dimensions are 2'x2'x18". It houses sps, acans, chalices and zoas.
Mike and I have run (at one time or another) an mp10, an mp20, and an mp40 on this tank.
The mp10 did ok, but when we bought an mp20, we moved the mp10 to our 30g cube. It gives great flow in there. The mp20 we had cranked up all the way, and Mike wanted more flow, so we bought an mp40. The mp40 is running on the tank now. It is dialed back all the way- our fish were apparently swimming furiously when he tried it dialed up all the way, and our frag shelf was swaying like a tree in the wind, showering frag plugs everywhere.
Given the dimensions you listed, I would get an mp40, and possibly add that mp10. I don't know that the 2 mp10s will give you enough flow. That said, I have not (yet) tried to run two vortechs in one tank, and qwik has. I know magic did as well on his old 45g bow.
I also know nothing about the akwasi or the 30rxt return pump you mentioned. We use maxi jets for our fuge and skimmer in both the 30g cube and the 45g cube, and the 45 also has a maxi jet for a reactor.
Good luck with your new tank! Can't wait to follow your tale of the tank build thread!
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I'm using a single MP-40 on my 75g mixed reef (anthelias, acans, hydnophoria, ricordias, zoas, favia, branching hammer, open brain, sebae anemone, red "modern" coral, purple bonsai, couple different montipora, tri-color sps, etc.... I'm sure I missed a few too) and I get decent flow for all of them.

I'm using a mag 9.5 for a return, with a typical split loc-line for additional flow.

My tank dimensions are 48 x 18 and I have my rock in the center like an island.

Here's a short video of my tank (taken on my droid phone) to show what a single MP40 does. It was taken a while ago, so not all of my current corals are shown, but you can see the type of mix I have going. Please excuse the shakiness... I had to maneuver around the tank and wasn't really concentrating on keeping the phone still. :-[



IMO, you might be able to get away with a single MP40, depending on your needs. But if it's not, you could always add the MP10 you already have. If they are both the W ES models, then you can even sync them up with the one controller and they will work together to give you any kind of flow you want.
 
malulu

malulu

NJRC Member
you may want to think BIG...
:p

try to get a bigger one (if budget allowed), and tune it down for now, when you upgraded to a BIGGER tank, you no need to get new power head(s).
;D
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
vangoghfish said:
Yes, although, I will only have 30' square with 18" height, 70 g, vs. your long thin 75
Click to expand...

That's an interesting thought. I don't know how the vortechs compare in a long narrow vs in a cube. You would think that the longer tank would require more flow (to reach the other side) but then again, there is less resistance on the sides in a narrower tank.

A cube would seem like it's a denser tank to push through, but on the other hand, the flow doesn't have to travel so far before recirculating back to the powerhead.

I'm more inclined to believe the cube would have more turbulence since the flow is hitting the wall much quicker and with greater force than a longer tank would. That's just a guess though. I'm sure you could find some testing done on the internet somewhere. ;)

Either way though, I still think that an MP40 sync'd up with the MP10 would be plenty for your cube.
 
adesimone1

adesimone1

We just set up our 70 gallon cube this weekend. We are using 1 660 tunze our return pump is a panworld 150 plumbed into the basement. We had to dial back the pan world 1/2 way. We had a huge turn over rate. It sounded like a gurgling machine, lol. The return was putting out more flow then the tunze. We have a ton of flow in the tank now. And the only thing you here is the fan on the led light.
 
adesimone1

adesimone1

vangoghfish said:
Some input here please, some say get a mp40 should do the job for mixed reef, may end up all sps, some say get 2 x mp10w es, I have an mp10, and though about using one mp10 and one mp40, how about some feedback here:
A. one mp10 plus one mp40
B. two mp10s
C. just one mp40
For a 30x30x18 70g cube
I will have an awaki 30rxt return pump, for flow also.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is your tank the Marineland 70 cube?
 
adesimone1

adesimone1

We have the same set up. ;) We made one change ot it. We added a 5" base under the stand. I didn't like how low it sat. The extra 5" made a big difference.
 
V

vangoghfish

adesimone1, would love to see a photo on your setup, I am doing a custom build stand, will be part of the wall, in corner of room, so two sides will be visible.
 
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