Problems with my MP40

[dcforester1]

About a 2 weeks ago my Vortech stopped working, it was flashing green/red meaning a stall condition. I dont know why this happened, I unplugged it and it work fine ever since. Tonight I had to move it to clean it, it has been fine to this point. I put it back in, and after a few minutes it would stop. This time the code you couldnt read. It would flash all lights fast then go back to reef mode, after a few minutes it would do it again. I took it off to check for any obstructions, there are none. I put it back in, then the inside started to spin, as if there wasnt a good connection between the two pieces. I have the outside adjusted for the thickest glass, but when I put it on it doesnt hold that tight. When I took it out I didnt do anything, except rinse it under water. I tried putting it back in, and resetting the pump, but still the trouble continues. Does anyone have any ideas, or similar troubles with theirs? I have taken it off before without any trouble.
Any help greatly appreciated
Derek

 

[Joel A]

I'd contact eco-tech.. they are really good about helping out.. they have a sponsor forum on Reefcentral, you'd likely get taken quick of very quickly over there =).

On a side note, i thought you were a budget reefer, and now you've got a vortech!??!?!

 

[Behrmon]

On a side note, i thought you were a budget reefer, and now you've got a vortech!??!?!

If he wasn't a few before my #, I would have a Vortech!!!

 

[dcforester1]

I'd contact eco-tech.. they are really good about helping out.. they have a sponsor forum on Reefcentral, you'd likely get taken quick of very quickly over there =).

On a side note, i thought you were a budget reefer, and now you've got a vortech!??!?!

LOL, I got one for a $1, how can you beat that. I got it at BRASS, I won it in the raffle. It is weird I think I have it going, but Im not happy. If I paid for it I would be pissed. When I went to put it back on I noticed the propeller was hard to spin, I thought it was the magnet, just real strong. When I put it in it kept getting hung up. So I am a very curious person, so I took it apart. It looks like the bushing wasnt seated correctly. I put it back together, and it was working, but kept slipping. I took it apart again, and tightened it some more. I think I have it. I didnt want to over tighten it, because the screw is plastic, and didnt want to break it. I am going to call them anyway.

Sorry Behrmon, if it goes up for sale, you are first in line.

 

[Fried Clam]

If he wasn't a few before my #, I would have a Vortech!!!

I thought you were happy with the powerhead that you ended up with? I forget which one it was though.

 

[dcforester1]

I am happy with it, but when its working.LOL I just cant believe for the money, it was put together wrong?

 

[Fried Clam]

Is that what it looks like? just put together wrong? As Joel mentioned, best advice would be to contact Eco-Tech and trouble-shoot it with their tech support.

 

[dcforester1]

Is that what it looks like? just put together wrong? As Joel mentioned, best advice would be to contact Eco-Tech and trouble-shoot it with their tech support.

I am, just wrote down Eco-Techs number. It still doesnt sound right. There is not much to it, but I am going to give them a call. Just took it out, and tossed in the old reliable Maxi's.

 

[navleu]

Let me know what the company says to you because I am having the same problem with mine.

 

[JayM]

Derek, I have a spare wetside if you want to troubleshoot....LMK

 

[dcforester1]

Thanks Jay for the offer, I will let you know. I think I am going to be OK, but like I said if I had paid for this I wouldnt be to happy.

 

[Joel A]

the propeller is always kind of hard to spend IIRC. Sometimes they can be a bit of a pain.. mine's never had issues but i know that other people have had driver issues, etc.

Truth is though, when you get them all fired up and working correctly, there's nothing better on the market .

 

[Sherri]

Truth is though, when you get them all fired up and working correctly, there's nothing better on the market .

I dunno -- there a lot of people that swear by their Tunzes. There was a thread on RC that was comparing the two and there were as many people that said they would keep their Tunzes as liked the Vortechs. I am actually leaning towards the Tunzes for the 135. I know they are bigger but I don't think they have the technical issues that the Vortechs appear to be having. Someone on the NH site just wrote about having problems with his. Maybe their quality control cannot keep up with their volume.

 

[JayM]

before you compare qc at the 2 companies, I have had 6....yup, that's right 6 tunze nanostreams fail.

The difference is, Roger at Tunze took care of ALL of them, right away, and without question, and they have been excellent since.

Can't say the same for my 2 month out of warranty MP40 power supply

I will still continue to run both products.

 

[Gonereefing]

I checked out a reef tank running the mp40 and the owner demonstrated all modes for me. I have to say these things are impressive. the price tag has prevented me from owning one thus far but.....anyway, these tech issues have got my attention. appreciate you following up here with what happens.

 

[FOXYB]

Have you tried removing the wet side and runnin. The pump disconnect calibration?

 

[stevenp]

before you compare qc at the 2 companies, I have had 6....yup, that's right 6 tunze nanostreams fail.

The difference is, Roger at Tunze took care of ALL of them, right away, and without question, and they have been excellent since.

Can't say the same for my 2 month out of warranty MP40 power supply

I will still continue to run both products.

BIG difference between the nanostreams and the streams though. I own both and the nanostreams do not impress me at all in terms of performance or quality. The 6105's on the other hand are solid, in a class of their own. I could probably drop one of them on the basement floor and I wouldn't be surprised if it bounced

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Try recalibrating the pump OR it may be stuck in calibration mode. In the second case you need to get program it out of calibration mode. Go to RC in teh EcoTech Forum where there is lots of good info.

FWIW I run both Vortechs and Tunze Streams. No issues at all with either. Both great products!

 

[Joel A]

I dunno -- there a lot of people that swear by their Tunzes. There was a thread on RC that was comparing the two and there were as many people that said they would keep their Tunzes as liked the Vortechs. I am actually leaning towards the Tunzes for the 135. I know they are bigger but I don't think they have the technical issues that the Vortechs appear to be having. Someone on the NH site just wrote about having problems with his. Maybe their quality control cannot keep up with their volume.

well they are different.. that's really the best way to put it. They are best used in different applications.

A tunze will "Throw" water further, so in a really long tank it might make sense to use a tunze over a vortech. The stream is a narrower, more powerful stream, so it moves further away from the source. A vortech is a wider, broader flow, that doesn't reach quite as far as the vortech because it's a much broader flow.. That's one big difference there.

Another is indeed customer service.. Tunze is hands down one of the best for customer service in the hobby.. that's why a lot of people reward them and stick with there products. Personally i think the idea and concept behind the MP40 is terrific, it takes up less space, comes with it's own controller, has a motor outside the tank, uses low wattage, and provides a healthier, broader flow that is more ideal in most standard tank configurations (IMO). However... they do still seem to have occasional quality control issues, and fixing them can be both complicated and expensive sometimes.

Personally i couldn't be happier with my Vortech because it works as advertised right out of the box.

 

[dcforester1]

I think the MP40 is a great product, and def moves some water, but I think in MY tank I am having a hard time placing the unit. It either seems like I am getting not enough flow, but the under tow is way to powerfull. or vice versa. I also been having a problem with it jamming,with nothing in it. I took it apart, and it was loose. I snugged it up, and after acouple of hours the screw broke. I called the up tech support, they told me they would call me right back......2hrs later I called them no answer, leave message.....1hr later call back, leave another message. They are either busy fixing them, or building them for santa. I called back a fourth time, and talked to a nice guy, and wanted to see a picture of it, and he would send me a out a new screw, and bushing right away.

Now I know this thing wasnt working right, and I know I might have over tightened the screw, but it never should have got to that point. I know nobodys perfect, but if I had payed for this thing I would have not been happy.

Like I said If I had no budget, and was building my dream tank, I would fill it up with MP40. I just think even if it is working top notch, its alot of $$$$$$$$. I love the look of it, the low power consumption, and the different settings. The problem with the placement is alot my fault, and if I knew I was putting one in I would have done my rockwork differently. So I guess I will keep it.