Ecotech Marine Vortech powerhead with wireless wave driver

[j_electric]

peter did they replace that before?

[SDguy]

They replaced the drive shaft, saying it was a rare case that it absorbed too much water and swelled too much.

[SDguy]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1289714

[Fish n' Frags]

Well, you just solved my dilemma of Tunze's or Vortechs! Sorry about your bad luck Peter, that really sucks!

[jblaze]

I am really interested in getting one of these specifically because of the battery back up. I don't want to spend $500+ for a piece of crap though. Anybody know if Tunze has a battery back up available or in the works?

[Fish n' Frags]

Yep, its called a "full system generator." LOL

[SDguy]

I am really interested in getting one of these specifically because of the battery back up. I don't want to spend $500+ for a piece of crap though. Anybody know if Tunze has a battery back up available or in the works?

That was the main reason I bought mine.

No, tunze has 6105.500 Safety Connector.

Add a battery of 12-24 volts, a trickle charger and some wiring to make this backup.

Works on the new series Tunze pumps ie. 6055, 6101, 6201, 6301.

Tunze decided to allow the user to pick battery voltage, and capacity. This allows you to deterimine how fast, and how long your pump will run.

[JHAI4]

I have had my VorTech now for a week, so far I have had no issues. The battery backup should be at my house when I get home ! Since I found out that I had two power outages while I was out of town two weeks ago , I ordered the backup right away.... The flow and different flow programs are fantastic. I have never had a Tunze so I can't compare, but the aesthetic, size, dual pump programs and backup were good things for my setup. Going to MAX and seeing the demo blew me away and I purchased my VorTech at the show.

[RussM]

So who has installed Gen2 wet-side parts and the new firmware? What do you think so far?

[Clownaholic]

Well, I'm in the VorTech group now. I installed 3 on my 270gal Mini-Ocean. I have run Tunze in the past but I like new toys so I figured I would give them a go. At $400 a pop they are expensive! I don't know what silence everyone talks about... they have a motor and that motor makes normal electrical sounds especially when ramping up to max speed. It is faint but noticeable... Now as for flow, OH MY! I haven't seen flow like this in the Tunze model that matches for specs. No added heat in the tank and I must say it is shocking how much heat the motors generate but you never feel because Tunze pumps are submerged. No wires in the tank and low profile means more fish and rocks less pump "IN" the tank. I purchased one battery backup to run two pumps, 15hrs is a long outage. These are still new and everyone talks about issues around a month in so time will tell. So far, I am very pleased with these.

[Clownaholic]

Oh, mine are the Gen2 with the latest and greatest firmware as I received them drop-shipped from the manufacturer. :-) Lots of features... better than the Tunze 7095 "BUT" Tunze came out with a new controller that you can hook up to your laptop. So, time will tell.

[davocean]

I'll tell ya, I've never had such a cool temp running tank ever.
My 200w heater works to keep me at 78 on my 67g, and I'm certain the vort is a big part of that.
All the flow I could ever want, and the wave timer is so cool, I'm sure that really helps my sps.

[Clownaholic]

My first complaint about these and the company. After 48hrs one pump had something come loose on the dry side. A little rattle progressively got louder, to the point I decided to shut it down. EcoTech says "send the whole unit back and we'll take a look at it. Cool, "BUT" at $420 each I don't expect something to come loose in 48hrs. On the slim chance it does though, I should NOT be paying for shipping back to the manufacturer of a premium product. A really good company would value customers that drop $1500 on three pumps and a battery backup and as such they'd send a new unit with a return label for the bad unit.

[Retzius]

These pumps have a much more aesthetic appeal than Tunzes. I am contemplating buying one in the future but there seem to be some issues with the pumps. Its hard to decide, I guess I'll wait for more reviews.

[zoa]

they should have sent you an email with a shipping tag that is what they did with me... my vortech kept falling off the glass. got it back in a little less than two weeks from the time I shipped it off. I like the pump / heat outside of the tank but dont know if it is worth the risk of it falling and making frags for you... that said when I upgrade I will get another one.

My first complaint about these and the company. After 48hrs one pump had something come loose on the dry side. A little rattle progressively got louder, to the point I decided to shut it down. EcoTech says "send the whole unit back and we'll take a look at it. Cool, "BUT" at $420 each I don't expect something to come loose in 48hrs. On the slim chance it does though, I should NOT be paying for shipping back to the manufacturer of a premium product. A really good company would value customers that drop $1500 on three pumps and a battery backup and as such they'd send a new unit with a return label for the bad unit.