Jin, that is very cool. These are high on my list of options for my new tank and I have some of the same questions as above. Can you control the action at the surface? Did you see an increase in evaporation? Any chance of it overflowing the overflow or sides? I think I would like to have them but I'm not sure about having that much action at the surface.
Making waves with Vortechs! Videos.
- Thread starter FutureInterest
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Bud--you can't control the direction on the Vortech's, but you can move the pump deeper into the tank to limit the surface action (even a couple of inches makes a big difference) and you can control the speed of the pump. I have mine (I have the old one w/o the wireless driver) set to about 30-40%% in my 175. It's in one end of the tank and because of deflection by the center overflow most of the flow is in that end of the tank. I'll be adding another (and a wireless driver to the existing one) when the wife....er budget...allows.
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Bud - as George has mentioned you can indeed limit your surface action, that is assuming you are simply using the vortechs for simple flow. If you are using the vortechs to create waves though you will find a lot of surface action which is inherent to making waves . I've always kept my surface very agitated anyways, so there is no change in evaporation as far as I can tell. As for splash, yes there is more splash with this much surface agitation. I just have to deal with it by cleaning my reflectors more frequently.
. I've always kept my surface very agitated anyways, so there is no change in evaporation as far as I can tell. As for splash, yes there is more splash with this much surface agitation. I just have to deal with it by cleaning my reflectors more frequently.
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One more query- one of the pseudo-criticisms of the Tunze wavebox is that it would prematurely age the tank, and bust the seams. I dont know if this has ever really ahppened, or is just an old-wives tales, but has there been any chatter about this being a concerns with these pumps and this programming?
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As far as I can tell its an urban legend.
I would guess it does weaken the tank somewhat but I would be shocked if it was substantial enough to be measured statistically. You could make a similar arguement for any flow device really as those put pressure on one side of the tank more than another.
Jin - I absolutely love my Vortech. As far noise that ain't none unless it is cranked all the way up and I don't run it at 3000 GPH. As far as water movement, not only do I get a lot of surface agitation, I can see a circular water movement in the tank. This thing moves a lot of water.
The Wireless controler is the first item on my Christmas list. I pointed it out to my wife 3 x already. I told her needs to order it right away before the Christmas rush.
Bud - Since we're neighbors come over whenever and take a look at mine in action.
The Wireless controler is the first item on my Christmas list. I pointed it out to my wife 3 x already. I told her needs to order it right away before the Christmas rush.
Bud - Since we're neighbors come over whenever and take a look at mine in action.
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From what Ive heard its just the rhythmic cycling, not the uneven load. But I am beginning to think more urban legend, as Jin mentioned.
this may be a dumb question, and I may have skipped over it in reading the thread, but if you have a controller such as the ACjr or the ACIII or RKII or whatever, do you want these Vortex pumps to be hooked up to the controllers?
Or can you program the wireless controller they come with to auomate them?
At one point Jin said that at night he has them set to a more gentle mode. Do you do that manually or is that whole process automated?
Thanks.....and great video.
Or can you program the wireless controller they come with to auomate them?
At one point Jin said that at night he has them set to a more gentle mode. Do you do that manually or is that whole process automated?
Thanks.....and great video.
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David - I didn't adjust my water level at all. My waterline is always right below my canopy as my canopy basically "rests" on top of the tank. Instead I just adjusted the wave height to match my tank. I have 1" clearance and with the vortechs at around ~75% the wave is ~3/4". Not much room, but I think there's enough . Granted its an acrylic tank so there is 3" bracing all around the rim to catch any stray water slosh.
jgoal - The new wireless drivers do have a lil port that is supposed to allow it to be hooked up to "something". For the time being I just adjust it at night manually. Its just a matter of pressing a button. From my understanding they are developing that "something" which is supposed to allow it to connect to controllers.
. Granted its an acrylic tank so there is 3" bracing all around the rim to catch any stray water slosh. jgoal - The new wireless drivers do have a lil port that is supposed to allow it to be hooked up to "something". For the time being I just adjust it at night manually. Its just a matter of pressing a button. From my understanding they are developing that "something" which is supposed to allow it to connect to controllers.
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Thanks Rit, welcome to the Vortech family lol.
Jgoal - just wait there are many more interesting flow options coming out in the near future.
Jgoal - just wait there are many more interesting flow options coming out in the near future.
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Here's another vortech vid.
