The most important feature of the MP60w ES is that it can fit on a tank that is up to 1" thick. All those large tank owners finally had the option to run Vortech pumps if they wished. These pumps started shipping in early November 2010.
The day after I got my own 400g system up and running, my new pumps arrived. Within 60 seconds of accepting the box from the Fedex driver, I had it open.
Ecotech Marine puts special care into their packaging, which I appreciate. I'd compare them to how Apple provides you with a working product from the moment you open it for the first time, like the iPhone. Rather than buying something new and having to plug it in and wait for it to charge for hours on end, it's ready to use and that's a good thing to most consumers. While I know the comparison isn't apples for apples, I'm just trying to convey the feeling. As you open up the Vortech pump's packaging, you can see how special care went into the design and presentation. Does it matter after Day One? Only if you like to be impressed by the little things... like I do.
At this point, you can see both parts of the pump assembly, as well as the new ES driver.
Everything is neat and secure, unlikely to be damaged during transit.
The first thing that caught my eye was the sleek design of the wet side, which is a larger version of the Mp10 wet side assembly.
The second thing was these new rubber disks. Each one was carefully labeled and a different thickness.
Following the instruction guide, it stated to determine which disk would match the tank wall's thickness. Mine is 3/4" thick, so I selected the Medium size spacer. The next step was to peel off the label from the motor's surface, then apply the rubber spacer with the loop pointing upward.
Done!
I have to say that I'm glad Ecotech Marine opted to include separate spacers instead of their previous method that had an adjustable spacer. This is far more obvious for those that don't read instructions, and is simple to install. I kept the other two for the future. Time to hold it up to the tank for a test fit.
Included was a small bag filled with zip ties and self-adhesive tie-downs. I've seen many Vortech pumps installed incorrectly, with the cord pointing downward. The cord must face upward, especially with this pump since it has two cooling vents that must face downward to stay dry. The kit also came with this little hanger.
Using rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball, I swapped the area where this piece would be affixed, let it dry and then peeled off the protective backing and installed it.
Next I hung the pump on the hook, but watched the rubber stretch a little too much for me to walk away. I decided to install the other self-adhesive tie downs first to assure this pump wouldn't fall to the ground. Then I hung it on the hook and tightened the zip ties around the cord, twice.
From the early planning stages of my new tank, I had always planned to install two Vortech pumps under the external overflow box. The overflow has five drains, and the space between the drain pipes was 4.25" wide. The MP60w is 4" wide. That worked out perfectly.
With the first one installed & secured to the glass, I simply placed the wet side on the opposing side of that panel. The magnets aligned themselves. Plugging it in, it took a few seconds to boot up and come to life. As per the instructions, I turned up the flow to 100% to make sure the two halves were aligned properly. Then I installed the second one in the same manner.
When running the MP60w ES pumps at 100%, you will hear them. Everyone always asks about the sound. I ran them both at 100% for a few minutes to observe my livestock and sandbed. Each pump will move 7500 gallons per hour, so the combined 15,000gph is serious flow. I watched the bubble tip anemones 3' away getting pummeled and the clowns swam hard to stay in their home. I could hear the pumps, but it wasn't obnoxious. Because it is a constant hum, this is a sound one would get used to. If it was running in pulse mode, that would be noticed as the sound constantly changes. I never run my pumps at 100% and likely won't with this system, and as you slow them down they become even more quiet. At 50%, there is just enough of a hum to let me know they are running.
I've been using Vortech pumps since they first came out, and knew to not use oolitic sand in my systems. I prefer larger grain sand, and used Tropic Eden's Reef Flakes with this tank. There was some movement over time, but the sandbed didn't blast across the tank. The undertow caused by the Vortech drawing in water through its sides does cause both the sand to pull toward it somewhat and still create a depression underneath the pump itself. It's an interesting dynamic that I've seen in both my 280g and the 400g.
For a week, I ran the MP60w pumps at 50% with constant flow, which is denoted by the green light shining from the speed control knob. They ran reliably, never shutting off, never separating, nor did the wet side budge or spin in place. They were unplugged a couple of times during some cord management efforts, and restarted perfectly. Look how clean the tank looks with the pumps on the left end. This tank is 84" long.
For the past 24 hours, I switched the mode to Reefcrest (denoted by Yellow light shining from the speed control knob) at a maximum of 50% flow. Reefcrest is my favorite mode for these pumps, because it can ramp up and slow down in quick succession, akin to what would be encountered on a reef. There are other modes I have yet to explore, such as the option to run a gyre system with the flow reversing as the pumps alternate. Pulse (Wave) mode is popular with many, but I'm more interested in the upswell mode that is designed to export detritus from the system. By having multiple pumps communicating with one another, a particular pattern of flow helps elevate and clear out previously settled particulates, getting them back in suspension and out via the overflows.
Like its predecessors, the MP60w ES can be powered with the Battery Backup. Last year, Ecotech Marine urged everyone to get new cords with in-line fuses to connect their pumps to the batteries. Please be sure to update your pumps with replacement parts; magnets, power cords, improved controllers are all available from Ecotech Marine's website. http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/
Knowing how hard the guys at Ecotech work to provide hobbyists with reliable pumps, I knew this would be a winner. If your tank has a black background, these pumps are nearly invisible to the eye. I like to keep the back pane clean as well as the wet side, so they always blend perfectly. Can you see them in this next picture?
When feeding my tank, I pour in thawed food at the far right end where the black returns (penductors) are located. The food is blown by the returns toward the overflow to the left, but instead of it passing through the teeth and down into the sump, the MP60w pumps draw the food downward and then the pumps propel it back toward the right. This circular flow is keeping the food in the tank for the livestock to consume, instead of it being wasted and collected by the filtration below. With my previous tank, I would turn off the return pump every night during feeding time, but may not need to do this with the new design of this tank and the MP60w pumps.
The wet side is easy to disassemble for cleanings. Once the outer strainer basket has been gently twisted to unlock it for removal, the inner prop section can be cleaned with a toothbrush. For a thorough cleaning, carefully unclip the three points holding the propeller to reveal the magnet. The ceramic shaft stays in place, and the magnet and prop section slide off easily. Soaking the entire assembly in white vinegar and water for an hour or two will loosen up coralline algae, resulting in a clean product once again.
Using a Kill-o-watt device, I measured the wattage of the pumps. When running at 100%, the pumps measured at 67 - 72w of power consumption. Running at 50%, wattage was measured at 27 - 31w per pump. In Reefcrest mode, the wattage numbers varied as the pump increased and decreased speed. All Vortech pumps use a black brick power supply, similar to what laptops use.
Also included were sponge covers to place over the pumps to protect livestock from being harmed. None of my fish or snails have had any issues swimming near or climbing all over the wet sides. And that includes a Six Line Wrasse that injured itself during the livestock transfer. Why this fish didn't swim to the bommie area where the flow is more modest, I don't know. It's struggling to swim and settles on the sand to rest often, yet has had no problem at all navigating the intense flow these two pumps provide -- pushing 7000gph combined. As he heals, I'm expecting him to swim circles around this pumps again one day.
Here are some specifications, printed on the packaging:
- Wet Side: 4" in diameter by 3" long
- Dry Side: 4" in diameter by 2.8" long
- Power Consumption: 10 - 60 watts
- Aquarium Wall Thickness: 3/8" to 1"
- Clearance needed behind aquarium: 3.3"
- Feed
- Constant Speed
- Reef Crest Random
- Lagoonal Random
- Short Pulse
- EcoSmart - Tidal Swell Mode & Nutrient Transport Mode
- Sync and Anti-Sync Slave
- Long Pulse
- Night
Manufacturer's product page: http://ecotechmarine.com/products/vortech-mp60w-es-propeller-pump/
As required by law, I must state that I received these pumps free of charge.
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