ecotech vortec pump

[twoclowns]

Has anyone used this pump (ecotech vortec). I thinking about purchasing one but they are very expensive so I would like some opinions if it is a better pump setup then the tunze? thanks Keith

 

[Dentoid]

I have two of these pumps in my 90 gallon controlled by an Aqua Controller. They are great pumps for flow, nothing better IMO. They are not so friendly on the livestock though. I had two incidences where fish were sucked onto the propeller housing, one was able to free itself and the other I had to turn the pump off. It seems broad bodied fish are more at risk of getting stuck. Furthermore, the propeller housing design does not keep snails out. Since I have two and they alternate on/off, occasionally a snail will wander into the propeller area. When the pump cycles on, it gets jammed and overheats. Fortunately the pump has a safty mechanism to disengauge the pump (outside tank) from the propeller housing (inside tank) and they fall apart. The pump falls to the floor if it's not properly mounted with the electrical cord and the propeller housing fall to the bottom of the tank. In fact, I just lost my BTA when this happened and the propeller housing fell on the anemone, killing it! If the pump is to run continuously, then this is not a problem.

See this thread:

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/equipment/16736-ecotech-marine-vortech-propeller-pump.html

Also check out Billy's chronicle starting at post #438:

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/9776-210g-reef-nj-30.html

I'm not trying to discourage you, but some consideration is definately in order.