I refuse to spend the money for vortecs... what else?

[ripped tide]

:friday: In order to properly drink acrylic, you have to drill a few beers first

 

[Jaycen B.]

bruce 1;757028 wrote: NEXT BEST??? They are the best! China vs Germany it is a no brainier.

Are they really made in China? If so I'm not going to buy one! They probably make them for 20 bucks. LOL

 

[jbdreefs]

Rich and Dylan, thanks for offering help. Grouper, thanks for the advice. I thought a regular hole saw would do the trick.

I'll reach out to you when the time comes for more advice.

 

[ripped tide]

Drilling acrylic is a lot different than wood or metal. You want to apply enough pressure, but not too much.

I drill dry. I normally rock the drill back and forth ever so slightly while drilling so that it bores the hole a little wider than the saw so that over heating it less likely to happen. About 3/4 the way through, I'll come from the other side to complete the hole. If It looks like it is about to overheat (normally doesn't for me) I'll ease off of the pressure, slow the speed a bit, or just take a break for a few seconds.

IMO a 15 sec break consumes less time than cleaning up Water. Patience is key. Thick acrylic is usually easier to drill than the thin stuff. Less likely to crack if you apply too much pressure.

 

[grouper therapy]

I've never used water or done anything different just slowed the drill down. I drilled 2" holes in a whole warehouse full of tanks and used one bit. well over 60 holes

 

[thanh386]

Buy my mp40s so I can buy 60s

 

[jbdreefs]

Thanh386;757251 wrote: Buy my mp40s so I can buy 60s

Those are crazy. They have two on the big display at marine.

 

[dawgface]

Thanh386;757251 wrote: Buy my mp40s so I can buy 60s

Trade me 5 MP40's for 2 Mp60's and you have your self a deal.

 

[lilrobb]

DawgFace;757257 wrote: Trade me 5 MP40's for 2 Mp60's and you have your self a deal.

You want 5 40s and give me 2 60s?

 

[dawgface]

Yes... They have to be es and fairly new though. The 60's I have are dang near brand new.

 

[thanh386]

I would do 4 for 2

 

[dawgface]

Thanh386;757264 wrote: I would do 4 for 2

I won't

 

[lilrobb]

DawgFace;757263 wrote: Yes... They have to be es and fairly new though. The 60's I have are dang near brand new.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[thanh386]

Bah. 1400 for new powerheads. Time to sell some coral

 

[rdnelson]

Ripped Tide;757230 wrote: :friday: In order to properly drink acrylic, you have to drill a few beers first

Now that is what I am talking about. And grouper, the answer is no, I have not had a few beers already, I have had quite a few thank you very much. :yes:

 

[cjsparky]

grouper therapy;757137 wrote: ...If they could pull more than they pushed,the world's energy problems would be solved.

Agreed, however I think people may be speaking of the propeller design not 'squirting' water out the sides where the water intake is occurring as well, causing a more steady undertow, and not turbulence. This is all speculation however, as we have not quite achieved perpetual motion...

Edit:

bruce 1;757176 wrote: You can put any pump of the same flow in the same spot and make them do that also. It is a no brainer.

I disagree. Propeller design alone would make some pumps far superior to others. These are not shrouded pumps. Prop design is a HUGE factor.

 

[jead85]

the vortech's placement so close to the edge of the tank causes it to have better flow as well, there is no place to have a dead spot behind it.
I used to have two Koralia 1050's on each side of my 75 gallon. Doesn't compare to the Vortech. Has to be the best investment I have made.

Honestly, i would find a really good deal on some used koralias and save up until you can buy the vortech

 

[grouper therapy]

Cjsparky;757311 wrote: Agreed, however I think people may be speaking of the propeller design not 'squirting' water out the sides where the water intake is occurring as well, causing a more steady undertow, and not turbulence. This is all speculation however, as we have not quite achieved perpetual motion...

Edit:

I disagree. Propeller design alone would make some pumps far superior to others. These are not shrouded pumps. Prop design is a HUGE factor.

1.The vortec actually has a wider flow pattern than say a Tunze according to their unbiased test.
2.That is why Bruce said a pump with the same flow.
The undertow that some thinks only exist with the vortec is on any pump or device that propels water through a closed loop. If it wasn't there cavitation would occur and melt the prop or impeller. You are correct in that the pitch and diameter of the prop determines the flow pattern.