Ecotech Vortec pumps VS maximods

Nyles · 02-05-2007, 12:37 PM

OK I currently have 2 maxi jet mods (1200) with modded props on a 6' tank. I was thinking of going with tunze pumps but now I have decided on the Vortec pumps.

Has anyone that has ran both or seen both know how much more flow I may be getting? Its hard to tell how much flow I am getting out of a maximod I am guessing 1500 GPH but not for certain and the vortec is rated at 3000 gph. anyone ever compair? If someone on orgon has some vortecs I wold be happy to come by and see the flow... I know melevs video helps I just want to see for myself before I buy next week.

Geoff · 02-05-2007, 08:05 PM

have not seen a Vortec, but have seen a maxi mod. it was pushing some water, but the stream was still quite compact. the dimensions of the Vortec are bigger. this means a much gentler flow.

G~

Scott Osborne · 02-06-2007, 02:23 PM

Have you ever seen the large housing maxi or the bellhousing maxi...They put out a pretty big stream.IMO the only compelling reason for the vortech is the battery backup and the upcoming wireless controller. It includes a algorythm that will allow a user with 2 vortechs to create actual waves.

What you need to ask yourself is do the abiltly to have a controller and battery backup warrant the almost $1k more that the vortechs will cost. If you have no plans to use the periphs than you would be wasting your money with the vortechs. If you only plan on 1 vortech you are wasting money. If you just want flow and dont care about the controllability you are better off with a bunch of maxis. Built right they can put out 2400gph at very low psi.

Scott

REEF-DADDY · 02-06-2007, 02:29 PM

I run both in my tank. While I don't think the maxi mods are reliable enough to be used alone they do move a ton of water. The Mods have a more directed stream and have greater punch at the other side of the tank, the Vortechs have about the widest flow pattern I've seen. Are the Vortechs worth $300 more than the mods? That I can't answer for me it solved a problem so it was....

Nyles · 02-06-2007, 03:00 PM

Thanks, thats what I needed to hear, my maxis are 100% reliable, but I want to battery and controller and hopefully enough extra flow to shut down my current CLS to reduce electricity and heat in the tank.

REEF-DADDY · 02-06-2007, 03:34 PM

I think you'll be happy with the Vortech. Did you make your own mods or buy them? I got mine from maximods.com and they don't always restart the right direction

Nyles · 02-06-2007, 04:19 PM

I made my own, they have stoppers I built in, I will probably keep them and throw them on a wave timer down low, I was going to just add a UPS to them for battery but the votec seems like a nice way to go, my goal it to get rid of the CLS mainly and make sure my SPS have the optimal water flow they need, I wont use the wave feature on the controller but there is other features that make it worth while.

Scott Osborne · 02-06-2007, 04:36 PM

If thats what your looking for go for it. I am going to grab a couple when I can afford it. Just having the battery backup is worth it...Although I have a generator.,But hey you never know. You might have a hard time getting the maximods to funtion on a UPS. I have heard from several people that you need a true sine wave UPS to run those motors. They are extremely sensitive to the 60hz frequency they require to run.

Scott

Nyles · 02-06-2007, 04:48 PM

I have a honda generator to but this is more for when Im out camping and gone for a weekend, for long term effectivness a house sitter comboed with a quality monitoring controller (acIII) is the way to go if they are in your ballpark. I am out and about alot and with a large tank its about the only choice if you want to be in and out and still maintain stability.

I just dont want to WASTE my money on votecs, if they put out good flow and I dont get junk product I will be happy, my thoughts are these should run like the Tunzes... which is a lot to say.

Caoineag · 02-05-2008, 02:49 PM

I had a Ecotech Vortec. Wonderful PH, created turbulence all by itself BUT we had issues in that the first design would crack its own base ($10 part) after about 3-6 months. In their defense, they have redesigned them multiple times now and they always sent free replacement parts but after awhile you give up from the hassle. I am betting the new ones don't have the same design issue but it would be something to check out first.

Nyles · 02-06-2008, 07:34 PM

WOW this is an old post of mine... I will update

I did look at the vortec in person and felt the
flow was not what my system needed, I have since added two more bell housing style maxi mods and replaced my old maxi mods with sure flows. I like the bell housing maxi mod better but I like the sure flow for the plug and play aspect. These pumps have proved to be very reliable long term and I will continue to run them, they are planned into my next tank build as well.

saltysupply · 02-11-2008, 12:10 PM

you can't go wrong with either the vortech is just a little fancier

Hop · 02-11-2008, 12:29 PM

Deleted

Nyles · 02-11-2008, 12:34 PM

Thats kind of a biased decision over one persons experience with a first generation of the product isn't it? Especially when that persons acrylic thickness was undersized for the tank size they built in the first place? Regardless I'm not in the market for a $400 pump especially when I would need 4 of them.

Hop · 02-11-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyles

Thats kind of a biased decision over one persons experience with a first generation of the product isn't it? Especially when that persons acrylic thickness was undersized for the tank size they built in the first place? Regardless I'm not in the market for a $400 pump especially when I would need 4 of them.

Ouch! I'll excuse myself from this thread now and delete my previous post.

FWIW I've met that guy on a few occasions and discussed those problems with him and the pumps almost a year before he ever posted about them... Too bad you jumped to conclusions before posting....